Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

What is EMDR Therapy?

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Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy that helps individuals heal from the symptoms and emotional distress caused by disturbing life experiences. Research shows that EMDR therapy enables people to experience the benefits of psychotherapy in a shorter time frame compared to traditional methods.

It’s a common assumption that severe emotional pain requires years to heal. However, EMDR therapy demonstrates that the mind can recover from psychological trauma in much the same way the body heals from physical trauma. For instance, when you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes ongoing pain. Similarly, when the brain’s natural healing process is blocked by the impact of a disturbing event, emotional wounds can intensify and cause significant suffering. EMDR therapy helps remove these blocks, allowing the brain to resume its natural healing process.

Using structured protocols and techniques, EMDR-trained clinicians guide clients through this transformative process, activating the brain’s natural ability to heal.

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The Research Behind EMDR Therapy

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EMDR therapy is supported by extensive research, with over 30 positive controlled outcome studies conducted. Key findings include:

• 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer experience PTSD after just three 90-minute sessions.

• A study funded by Kaiser Permanente found that:

  • 100% of single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple-trauma victims were no longer diagnosed with PTSD after six 50-minute sessions.

• 77% of combat veterans were free of PTSD after 12 sessions.

EMDR therapy is recognised as an effective treatment for trauma and other distressing experiences by leading organisations, including:

• The American Psychiatric Association

• The World Health Organization (WHO)

• The Department of Defense

This recognition highlights EMDR’s effectiveness not only for trauma but also for addressing “everyday” memories that contribute to issues such as low self-esteem, feelings of powerlessness, and other challenges that bring people to therapy.

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How Does EMDR Therapy Work?

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EMDR therapy is an eight-phase treatment that uses eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help clients process traumatic memories. During a session, the clinician identifies a specific memory to target and guides the client to hold aspects of the event in mind while following the clinician’s hand movements with their eyes.

This process is believed to mimic the biological mechanisms of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, allowing the brain to process and reframe the memory. Clients often experience a shift in their emotional response to the event. For example, a rape survivor may move from feelings of self-disgust to a belief such as, “I survived, and I am strong.”

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR therapy doesn’t rely on extensive verbal discussion or homework assignments. Instead, it facilitates accelerated emotional and intellectual processing, empowering clients to transform their wounds into sources of strength.

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What Makes EMDR Therapy Different?

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• It doesn’t require clients to talk in detail about their distressing experiences.

• There’s no homework between sessions.

• It focuses on unprocessed traumatic memories, allowing the brain to resume its natural healing process.

• Many clients complete EMDR therapy in fewer sessions compared to traditional psychotherapies.

 

Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?

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EMDR therapy is suitable for children and adults of all ages. It has been used to address a wide range of challenges, including:

• Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias

• Chronic illness and medical issues

• Depression and bipolar disorders

• Dissociative disorders

• Eating disorders

• Grief and loss

• Pain management

• Performance anxiety

• Personality disorders

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Sexual assault

• Sleep disturbances

• Substance abuse and addiction

• Violence and abuse

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Why Choose EMDR Therapy at Mental Health Counselling Geelong?

 

At our Rippleside practice and online, we have experienced and EMDR clinicians who tailor therapy to each client’s unique needs. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, or other challenges, EMDR therapy can help you achieve meaningful and lasting healing.

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Have you got further questions? See our EMDR specific FAQ's here.

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