Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy used as a first-line treatment for trauma and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for several other mental health disorders, such as anxiety, substance abuse, and grief-induced depression.
It uses an 8-phase approach and bilateral stimulation (guided eye movements and auditory stimulation such as tapping or vibrations) to encourage the brain to enter a relaxed state, similar to REM sleep. This makes it easier to process trauma memories and reduce associated emotional distress.
Read on to understand why EMDR is the #1 leading trauma treatment as recognized by major health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and American Psychological Association (APA) [1].
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy primarily for treating trauma and PTSD, but has also shown effectiveness for anxiety, depression, and substance use.
It was developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the 1980s, who observed that guided eye movements helped relieve distress and intrusive thoughts in herself and later in her patients.
Nearly a decade later, she turned it into a structured treatment, combining bilateral stimulation of the brain (e.g., guided eye movements) with memory recall to help process trauma.[1].
How Is EMDR Therapy Different from Other Trauma Therapies?
EMDR’s unique 8-step approach and use of bilateral stimulation and somatic experiencing make it different from other traditional trauma therapies, such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), which often only focus on talking through the experience.
EMDR helps not only reduce the emotional intensity of trauma in the mind, but can also release somatic trauma stored in the body. It also tends to work faster than typical trauma therapy, with improvements in 6 to 12 sessions, compared to 12 to 20 [2].
What are the 8 Phases of EMDR?
Phase 1: History Taking
Your therapist begins by taking a thorough and accurate history of your physical and mental health. In this phase, you spend time discussing your current needs, symptoms, or diagnosis, as well as what treatments you have tried in the past.
Phase 2: Preparation and Trust Building
Phase 2 is a time to ask questions, clarify information, and establish trust, which supports more successful treatment outcomes. Between phases 1 and 2, you set goals and expectations for your treatment and have the therapist address your concerns.
Your therapist explains to you what to expect in the following phases and how the overall EMDR therapy process works.
Phase 3: Identifying Target Memory and Positive Belief
During phase 3 of EMDR, also known as the “assessment phase”, you work with your therapist on identifying the traumatic memory or event that needs to be addressed.
Examples may include childhood trauma, domestic abuse, surviving a school shooting, sexual assault, or serving in military combat. You also identify a positive belief or memory to focus on during Phase 5, the installation phase.
During this phase, the therapists ask questions to activate memories of the event or experience, bringing it into your awareness in a safe and structured manner. It’s also common during this phase for emotions or physical sensations to begin to arise. Your therapist will have you rate these by intensity on a scale from 1 to 10.
Phase 4: Reprocessing: Desensitization
EMDR consists of three reprocessing phases, the first being desensitization. This uses quick guided eye movements, tapping sounds, and vibrations to help the brain enter a state that makes it easier to process underlying emotions, deep trauma, and painful memories.
With guidance and supervision from your therapist, you are slowly desensitized to the pain and discomfort of the trauma memory. This is repeated until your Subjective Unit of Disturbance (SUD) reaches 1 or 0 in intensity of symptoms.
Phase 5: Reprocessing: Installation
Phase 5, the second reprocessing stage, is installation. During this stage, you focus on the identified positive memory or belief from the assessment phase to integrate it into the rest of the memory network. Bilateral stimulation is continued in phase 5 to strengthen the new memory and positive belief until it feels true.
Phase 6: Reprocessing: Body Scan
The final reprocessing phase is body scanning to check for physical sensations arising from distress, trauma, or unprocessed emotions. Our brains can move past the trauma, but more often than not, our bodies still hold the memories, contributing to physical reactions.
Phase 7: Closure
After your session ends, your therapist spends several minutes helping you calm racing thoughts and return to a grounded state of awareness. This is an important piece of EMDR therapy, helping you avoid any reactions or distressing side effects from processing the trauma.
Phase 8: Evaluating Results and Monitoring Progress
At the end of your session and at the beginning of future sessions, your therapist will evaluate results, progress, and how you currently feel about the treatment, and, if needed, reassess goals or make adjustments to your overall treatment plan.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR?
EMDR therapy is primarily used for individuals who have experienced trauma, but has also been proven effective for several other mental health disorders.
EMDR for PTSD
EMDR was originally designed for PTSD, and studies show it reduces symptoms faster than other standard trauma therapies. It is recognized by the National Center for PTSD as the leading treatment for trauma, with over a 70% rate of effectiveness [3].
EMDR for Anxiety
Studies show that EMDR can reduce symptoms of anxiety, including panic attacks and phobias. Bilateral stimulation can make it easier to process triggers or intense fears, whether related or unrelated to trauma. Many report quicker improvements for anxiety than standard therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) [4].
EMDR for Depression
EMDR is used for the treatment of grief-induced depression and prolonged grief disorder, helping people process intense emotional distress and trauma related to the loss of a loved one [5].
EMDR for Substance Abuse
EMDR can target traumatic memories and/or emotional triggers that often drive addiction and reduce their intensity. It’s common for individuals with substance use disorder to struggle with underlying trauma or life stressors, often using drugs and alcohol to numb these feelings.
Evidence-Based EMDR Therapy in Massachusetts at Trinity Wellness Group
Our integrative day treatment programs equip you with resilience-building skills and a supportive community that fosters meaningful healing. At Trinity Wellness Group,we provide evidence-based EMDR therapy supervised by licensed and trained therapists to help you process traumatic memories, reduce emotional distress, and reduce the intensity of triggers.
We take a trauma-informed care approach grounded in safety, trust, and collaboration, ensuring that every client is treated with compassion, dignity, and respect, and acknowledging the unique experiences that shaped their lives.
Contact us today to begin treatment and connect with one of our EMDR therapists.
Sources
[1] Shapiro, F. 2023. The History of EMDR Therapy. EMDR Institute.
[2] Kiernan, M. D. (2018). The Use of Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in Treating Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Systematic Narrative Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 923.
[3] Chou, R. et al. (2020). The effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing toward anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of psychiatric research, 123, 102–113.
[4] Spicer, L. 2024. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for prolonged grief: theory, research, and practice. Frontiers in Psychiatry.
[5] Kim, I. (2024). The Efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Treatment for Depression: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(18), 5633.
