Understanding EMDR Therapy: A Pathway to Healing Trauma

If you’ve experienced trauma or struggle with distressing memories that affect your daily life, you’re not alone.

Millions of people deal with the lingering effects of past experiences and finding the right support can feel overwhelming (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2022).

Fortunately, there are effective, evidence-based treatments that can help you reclaim control. One such treatment is Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a service available at Psychological Health Care.

Let’s look at EMDR therapy, how it works, who it can help and what to expect during treatment. Whether you’re considering therapy for the first time or exploring new options, this guide will help you make an informed decision about EMDR.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It’s a structured, integrative psychotherapy that helps people process and recover from traumatic memories or disturbing life experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses less on discussing the event in detail and more on changing the way it is stored in your brain.

Originally developed by American psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has gained global recognition and is now recommended by leading health organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA) for the treatment of trauma and PTSD.

EMDR is grounded in scientific evidence and recognised by the Australian Psychological Society as an effective psychological treatment.

The Science Behind EMDR

EMDR therapy is based on the understanding that traumatic memories can become “stuck” in the brain, causing emotional distress and symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks and nightmares.

These memories are stored in a raw and unprocessed form, making it difficult for your brain to integrate them into your normal memory network.

Through a series of guided sessions, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation typically in the form of eye movements, tapping or auditory tones to help activate both hemispheres of your brain. This process enables you to reprocess distressing memories, reducing their emotional charge and allowing you to gain new insights and perspectives.

Think of it as your brain’s natural healing mechanism finally getting unstuck. EMDR helps you process traumatic memories in a way that allows you to move forward without being weighed down by the past.

Conditions EMDR Can Help With

While EMDR is most well-known for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), its applications are much broader. At Psychological Health Care, EMDR therapy is used to support individuals dealing with:

• Single-incident or complex trauma
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Grief and loss
• Phobias and performance anxiety
• Chronic pain with emotional triggers
• Depression linked to unresolved past experiences

If you find yourself reacting strongly to certain situations, people or memories without understanding why, EMDR may help uncover and resolve those underlying triggers.

What to Expect in an EMDR Session

Knowing how EMDR works and what to expect during a session can help you feel more comfortable and prepared for your sessions. EMDR follows a standardised 8-phase approach, personalised to your needs:

1. History Taking & Treatment Planning: Your therapist will gather a comprehensive understanding of your background and identify target memories for reprocessing.
2. Preparation: You’ll build trust with your therapist and learn coping strategies to manage emotional distress, ensuring you feel safe and supported.
3. Assessment: You’ll identify specific images, beliefs and physical sensations related to the target memory.
4. Desensitisation: Bilateral stimulation begins, helping your brain process the memory and reduce its emotional intensity.
5. Installation: You’ll work with your therapist to replace negative beliefs with more adaptive, empowering thoughts.
6. Body Scan: Any lingering tension or discomfort is identified and processed.
7. Closure: Each session ends with grounding techniques to ensure you’re feeling stable before leaving.
8. Re-evaluation: At the start of the next session, your therapist will review progress and decide on the next target for processing.

Every stage is conducted at your pace. You’re always in control of the process and your therapist is there to guide and support you.

Benefits of EMDR Therapy

One of the key advantages of EMDR is that it doesn’t require you to talk extensively about your trauma. This makes it a valuable option for people who struggle to verbalise their experiences or feel overwhelmed by traditional talk therapy.

Other benefits include:

• Faster symptom relief compared to some other therapies
• Reduced emotional distress and reaction to memories
• Improved emotional regulation and resilience
• Enhanced sense of safety and empowerment
• Long-term resolution of traumatic symptoms

Because EMDR addresses the root cause rather than just the symptoms, many clients find lasting improvements in their mental health and quality of life.

Is EMDR Right for You?

EMDR can be highly effective, but like all therapies, it may not be suitable for everyone. EMDR may be a treatment option for you if:

• You’ve experienced trauma or distressing events that still affect you
• You feel emotionally stuck or triggered in certain situations
• You’ve tried other therapies but haven’t found relief
• You’re ready to engage in structured therapeutic work

Working with a trained and accredited EMDR therapist will ensure a safe and effective treatment experience. At Psychological Health Care, our experienced clinicians are trained in EMDR and tailor each treatment plan to your needs.

Getting Started with EMDR at Psychological Health Care

Taking the first step towards healing can be the hardest part, but you don’t have to do it alone. Psychological Health Care offers EMDR as part of a comprehensive range of mental health services designed to support your individual journey.

To get started:

• Make an enquiry
• Book an initial assessment to determine whether EMDR is the right fit for you
• Begin your therapy journey with the support of a qualified, compassionate clinician

Reach out to Psychological Health Care today to learn more or to book your first appointment.