EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy primarily used for trauma and PTSD. It helps the brain process distressing memories so they become less emotionally intense and less triggering.

EMDR is structured and paced carefully, with preparation and stabilisation before memory processing begins.

Lets find you a EMDR Practitioner...

Or, view all EMDR Practitioner's

EMDR is a structured trauma-focused psychotherapy. While it is often associated with eye movements, EMDR can also use other forms of bilateral stimulation (such as tapping or alternating sounds). The therapy aims to reduce the emotional charge of traumatic memories and the symptoms linked to them.

What happens in EMDR?

EMDR usually begins with assessment, stabilisation and building coping skills. Your therapist will help you identify target memories and triggers, then guide you through sets of bilateral stimulation while you notice thoughts, feelings and body sensations. Processing continues until distress reduces and more adaptive beliefs are strengthened.

What can EMDR help with?

PTSD and trauma after accidents, assault or distressing events
Complex trauma (often requires careful pacing and longer-term work)
Phobia-like responses linked to specific events
Intrusive memories and strong emotional triggers

How long does EMDR take?

The number of sessions depends on the type of trauma, your current stability, and the complexity of memories. Single-incident trauma may resolve more quickly; complex trauma often takes longer. A good therapist will explain a plan and review progress.

Safety and suitability

EMDR can bring up strong emotions. It should be delivered by appropriately trained professionals who can pace the work and support stabilisation. If you have active addiction, severe dissociation or high-risk symptoms, discuss suitability and integrated support before starting.

History of EMDR

EMDR was developed in the late 1980s and evolved into a structured psychotherapy approach. Over time it became one of the most researched trauma-focused therapies, with protocols for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms.

In the UK, EMDR is widely used for trauma treatment in both private practice and specialist services, delivered by trained clinicians within ethical and safeguarding frameworks.

Typical conditions that use EMDR

Condition	Evidence	Notes
Domestic abuse recovery support (sensitive)	strong	Core use for domestic abuse PTSD.
Intimacy difficulties	strong	Core use for intimacy difficulties with trauma.
Painful sex (dyspareunia)	strong	Core use for dyspareunia with trauma.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)	strong	Primary indication; follow structured protocols and stabilisation.
Self-harm thoughts (sensitive)	strong	Core use for self-harm recovery.
Attachment issues	strong	EMDR for attachment-related trauma.
Complex PTSD	strong	Often effective with careful pacing; may take longer.
Compulsive behaviours	strong	EMDR for OCD/compulsive behaviours with trauma.
Difficulty reaching orgasm	strong	EMDR for orgasm difficulties with trauma.
Erectile dysfunction	strong	EMDR for erectile dysfunction with trauma.
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)	strong	EMDR for GAD and anxiety.
Intimacy concerns	strong	EMDR for intimacy concerns with trauma.
Low mood	strong	EMDR for depression with trauma component.
Low mood in men	strong	EMDR for male depression with trauma.
Low self-esteem	strong	EMDR for low self-esteem.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)	strong	EMDR for OCD with trauma component.
Panic attacks	strong	EMDR for panic attacks with trauma.
Panic disorder	strong	EMDR for panic disorder.
Pelvic pain	strong	EMDR for pelvic pain with trauma component.
People pleasing	strong	EMDR for people pleasing rooted in trauma.
Performance anxiety	strong	EMDR for performance anxiety with trauma.
Postnatal emotional support	strong	EMDR for postnatal PTSD.
Pregnancy anxiety support	strong	EMDR for pregnancy anxiety with trauma.
Public speaking nerves	strong	EMDR for public speaking trauma component.
Separation / divorce support	strong	EMDR for separation/divorce trauma.
Sexual difficulties	strong	EMDR for sexual difficulties with trauma.
Sexual performance anxiety (supportive)	strong	EMDR for sexual performance anxiety with trauma.
Sexual wellbeing concerns (supportive)	strong	EMDR for sexual wellbeing with trauma.
Shame	strong	EMDR for shame.
Sleep anxiety	strong	EMDR for sleep anxiety with trauma.
Social anxiety	strong	EMDR for social anxiety.
Trauma after accident or assault	strong	Common use for single-incident trauma.
Trouble falling asleep	strong	EMDR for sleep onset insomnia with trauma.
Trouble staying asleep	strong	EMDR for sleep maintenance with trauma.
Trust issues	strong	EMDR for trust issues.
Vaginismus	strong	EMDR for vaginismus with trauma component.
Workplace stress	strong	EMDR for workplace trauma and stress.
Acne-related confidence concerns	moderate	EMDR for acne-related trauma and distress.
Addiction / dependency support	moderate	EMDR for addiction with trauma component.
Anger issues	moderate	EMDR for anger rooted in trauma.
Bipolar disorder (support alongside medical care)	moderate	EMDR for bipolar disorder trauma component.
Body image concerns	moderate	EMDR for body image trauma.
Cancer emotional support (men)	moderate	EMDR for cancer trauma and PTSD.
Caregiver stress	moderate	EMDR for carer trauma and stress.
Chronic illness adjustment	moderate	EMDR for chronic illness trauma component.
Eating disorder recovery support (alongside specialist care)	moderate	EMDR for eating disorder trauma component.
Emotional dysregulation (neurodiversity)	moderate	EMDR for trauma-related emotional dysregulation.
Emotional eating	moderate	EMDR for emotional eating with trauma component.
Emotional regulation difficulties	moderate	EMDR for trauma-related emotional regulation difficulties.
Endometriosis support (adjunct)	moderate	EMDR for endometriosis trauma component.
Family conflict	moderate	EMDR for family conflict trauma.
Fatherhood adjustment	moderate	EMDR for fatherhood trauma/anxiety.
Feeling overwhelmed	moderate	EMDR for overwhelm rooted in trauma.
Fibromyalgia support	moderate	EMDR for fibromyalgia trauma component.
Food-related anxiety (supportive)	moderate	EMDR for food-related anxiety with trauma.
Gambling problems	moderate	EMDR for gambling with trauma component.
Grief and bereavement	moderate	EMDR for complicated grief.
Guilt	moderate	EMDR for guilt rooted in trauma.
Hair loss-related distress	moderate	EMDR for hair loss trauma/distress.
Health anxiety	moderate	EMDR for health anxiety.
Imposter syndrome	moderate	EMDR for imposter syndrome.
Intrusive thoughts	moderate	Can reduce trauma-linked intrusions in appropriate cases.
Irritability	moderate	EMDR for anger and irritability.
Jealousy	moderate	EMDR for jealousy with trauma component.
Libido concerns (supportive)	moderate	EMDR for libido concerns with trauma.
Life transitions / adjustment issues	moderate	EMDR for life transitions.
Loneliness	moderate	EMDR for loneliness with trauma component.
Long-term condition coping	moderate	EMDR for chronic illness trauma.
Low confidence	moderate	EMDR for low confidence rooted in trauma.
Low libido	moderate	EMDR for low libido with trauma component.
Low motivation	moderate	EMDR for low motivation with trauma component.
Menopause symptoms	moderate	EMDR for menopause-related trauma/anxiety.
Multiple sclerosis support (adjunct)	moderate	EMDR for MS adjustment and trauma.
Neuralgia support	moderate	EMDR for pain management in neuralgia.
Osteoarthritis support	moderate	EMDR for chronic pain with trauma component.
Parenting stress	moderate	EMDR for parenting trauma.
Perfectionism	moderate	EMDR for perfectionism with trauma component.
Perimenopause symptoms	moderate	EMDR for perimenopause anxiety.
Phobias	moderate	When linked to specific events; suitability varies.
PMDD support (adjunct)	moderate	EMDR for PMDD with trauma component.
Premature ejaculation	moderate	EMDR for premature ejaculation with trauma.
Procrastination	moderate	EMDR for procrastination with trauma component.
Psoriasis stress impact support	moderate	EMDR for psoriasis trauma/distress.
Relationship conflict	moderate	EMDR for relationship conflict with trauma.
Relationship stress (men)	moderate	EMDR for relationship stress in men.
Resilience building	moderate	EMDR for resilience building.
Rumination / overthinking	moderate	EMDR for rumination with trauma component.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)	moderate	EMDR for SAD.
Sensory overload	moderate	EMDR for sensory overload with trauma.
Skin picking (dermatillomania) support	moderate	EMDR for skin picking with trauma component.
Social isolation	moderate	EMDR for social isolation with trauma.
Sports injury recovery support	moderate	EMDR for sports injury trauma.
Stammering (stuttering)	moderate	EMDR for stammering trauma component.
Stroke recovery support (adjunct)	moderate	EMDR for post-stroke PTSD.
TMJ / jaw tension	moderate	EMDR for TMJ with trauma component.
Post-viral fatigue support	limited	EMDR for post-viral fatigue trauma component.

Frequently asked questions

What is bilateral stimulation?

Guided eye movements, taps or tones presented in alternating left–right patterns.

Do I need to describe events in detail?

EMDR focuses on elements needed for processing; disclosure is paced and agreed.

How do you keep sessions safe?

Preparation, stabilisation techniques and clear consent are prioritised.