What is EMDR therapy?

How EMDR therapy works

EMDR therapy works on the principle that traumatic memories are stored differently in the brain than ordinary memories. When you experience trauma, your brain's natural information processing system becomes overwhelmed. The memory gets "stuck" with the original emotions, physical sensations, and beliefs intact — as if frozen in time.

During EMDR, a therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation — typically eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones — while you focus on a distressing memory. This stimulation engages both hemispheres of the brain, mimicking what happens during REM sleep when memories are naturally processed. The result: the memory remains, but it no longer triggers the intense emotional and physical reactions it once did.

The 8 phases of EMDR

EMDR follows a structured protocol developed by Francine Shapiro to ensure thorough, safe treatment:

1. History-taking — Your therapist gathers information about your history, identifies target memories for processing, and develops a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
2. Preparation — You learn about EMDR, what to expect, and coping techniques like the Safe Place exercise to manage distress during and between sessions.
3. Assessment — For each target memory, you identify the image, negative belief, desired positive belief, emotions, and body sensations associated with it.
4. Desensitization — The core reprocessing phase. You focus on the memory while experiencing bilateral stimulation until distress decreases significantly.
5. Installation — The positive belief you want to have about yourself is strengthened and linked to the original memory.
6. Body scan — You scan your body for any residual physical tension related to the memory. Any remaining sensations are targeted for processing.
7. Closure — Each session ends with stabilization techniques to ensure you leave feeling calm and in control, even if processing is incomplete.
8. Reevaluation — At the start of each new session, progress is reviewed and any remaining distress is addressed before moving to new targets.

Research evidence

• 84-90% of single-trauma survivors no longer met PTSD criteria after three 90-minute EMDR sessions. (Multiple studies including van der Kolk et al., 2007; Shapiro, 2014)
• EMDR and trauma-focused CBT are the only psychotherapies recommended for PTSD in adults by the World Health Organization. (WHO Guidelines for PTSD, 2013)
• 30+ randomized controlled trials support EMDR's effectiveness for trauma and related conditions. (Cumulative research evidence as of 2024)
• VA/Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend EMDR as a first-line treatment for PTSD. (VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines, 2023)

History of EMDR

EMDR was discovered in 1987 by psychologist Francine Shapiro while walking in a park. She noticed that moving her eyes back and forth seemed to reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts she was having. Intrigued, she systematically developed this observation into a structured therapeutic protocol.

Shapiro published the first randomized controlled trial in the Journal of Traumatic Stress in 1989, showing significant improvement in PTSD symptoms. Despite initial skepticism from the psychological community, the evidence accumulated through dozens of controlled studies. Today, EMDR is endorsed by major health organizations worldwide and has been used to treat millions of trauma survivors.

What conditions does EMDR treat?

While EMDR was developed for PTSD, research supports its effectiveness for a wide range of conditions:

• EMDR for Anxiety — EMDR is an evidence-based psychotherapy that treats anxiety by helping the brain reprocess distressing memories and triggers that fuel anxious responses.
• EMDR for PTSD — EMDR is one of the most extensively researched treatments for PTSD, endorsed by the World Health Organization, the VA/Department of Defense, and the American Psychological Association.
• EMDR for Depression — EMDR is increasingly used to treat depression by targeting the distressing life events and negative self-beliefs that underlie depressive symptoms.
• EMDR for Trauma — EMDR is a trauma-informed psychotherapy specifically designed to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories.
• EMDR for Grief & Loss — EMDR helps people process complicated grief by targeting the traumatic aspects of loss — the moment of learning about a death, witnessing suffering, or unresolved guilt.
• EMDR for Complex PTSD — EMDR is a leading evidence-based treatment for Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), a condition recognized in the ICD-11 since 2018.

Also: Complex PTSD · Grief · Veterans · Childhood trauma

EMDR vs. other therapies

EMDR vs. CBT

Both are evidence-based for trauma. EMDR doesn't require homework or detailed trauma narration. CBT focuses on changing thought patterns; EMDR works directly with memory processing.

EMDR vs. Talk Therapy

Traditional talk therapy explores feelings and insights over time. EMDR targets specific memories for reprocessing, often achieving results in fewer sessions.

EMDR vs. Prolonged Exposure

Both are effective for PTSD. Prolonged Exposure requires repeated, detailed narration of trauma. EMDR requires only brief focus on the memory during bilateral stimulation.

EMDR vs. Medication

EMDR addresses root causes; medication manages symptoms. Research shows EMDR is as effective as SSRIs, with effects that persist after treatment ends. Many people use both.

Frequently asked questions

What does EMDR stand for?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. The name reflects the original technique of using eye movements, though modern EMDR can use other forms of bilateral stimulation like tapping or auditory tones.

Is EMDR scientifically proven?

Yes. EMDR has been validated by 30+ randomized controlled trials and is recommended as a first-line treatment for PTSD by the World Health Organization, American Psychological Association, VA/Department of Defense, and UK's NICE guidelines.

How is EMDR different from talk therapy?

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require extensive discussion of the traumatic event or homework between sessions. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation while you briefly focus on the memory, allowing the brain to reprocess it naturally.

How many EMDR sessions will I need?

Research shows that 84-90% of single-trauma survivors no longer met PTSD criteria after three 90-minute sessions. Complex or childhood trauma typically requires more sessions. Your therapist will discuss expectations based on your specific situation.

Does EMDR work for conditions other than PTSD?

Yes. While EMDR was developed for trauma, research supports its effectiveness for anxiety, depression, grief, phobias, chronic pain, and other conditions rooted in distressing experiences.

Is EMDR covered by insurance?

Yes. EMDR is billed using standard psychotherapy codes (90834, 90837) and is covered by most major insurance plans including Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, Humana, Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE. Loma itself is currently in-network with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Curative, Optum/UnitedHealthcare, and Sana Benefits.

Can EMDR be done via telehealth?

Yes. Telehealth EMDR uses on-screen visual stimuli, auditory tones through headphones, or self-administered tapping guided by the therapist. Research shows telehealth EMDR is as effective as in-person treatment.

Will EMDR make me forget the trauma?

No. After EMDR, you still remember what happened. What changes is the emotional intensity — the memory no longer triggers overwhelming distress. Many clients describe it as being able to think about the event without being transported back into it.

EMDR glossary

Learn the key terms and concepts used in EMDR therapy:

• EMDR — EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987 that uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories.
• Bilateral Stimulation — Bilateral stimulation is the core mechanism of EMDR therapy, involving rhythmic left-right sensory input through eye movements, alternating taps, or sounds in each ear.
• The 8 Phases of EMDR — The 8 phases of EMDR are a structured protocol developed by Francine Shapiro that guides treatment from initial assessment through memory reprocessing to completion.
• EMDRIA — EMDRIA (EMDR International Association) is the professional membership organization for EMDR practitioners, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Austin, Texas.

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