EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy is an evidence-based therapy that allows you to address adverse life experiences that contribute to difficulties in everyday living. I am an Accredited EMDR Practitioner with EMDRAA, and offer EMDR Therapy as both a standalone treatment, and as a therapy integrated with other types of therapies (e.g., Schema Therapy, ACT, CBT). EMDR Therapy can be delivered across standard 50-minute sessions; I also offer EMDR intensives (i.e., longer sessions dedicated to more extensive memory reprocessing).

History and Theoretical Model

When an experience is processed by the brain, it is generally stored in an adaptive way as a memory, and forms part of a memory network where it is associated with other information stored in the brain. For example, a positive holiday overseas is stored in our memory network with other overseas holidays more broadly.

When an experience is traumatic, it may be stored in the brain such that information associated with the event (images, beliefs, physical sensations, emotions) can be activated when triggered by information in the present that is related to the past experience. Our brain may store information about traumatic experiences in this way in an effort to allow us to respond quickly to threats that it perceives as similar to past ones; however, often the threat is no longer relevant, and the brain can generalise information about the original threat to unrelated situations, which is often unhelpful. For example, an individual who was abused emotionally and physically by a caregiver as a child may have developed the core belief, ‘I am not safe’. As an adult, conflict in relationships triggers a strong physical reaction (e.g., racing heart, sweating), even in the absence of any true threat. They may be unable to respond effectively in conflict, leading to long-standing difficulties in relationships or erosion of and ultimately ending of relationships.

During EMDR Therapy, distressing memories and the associated information (images, beliefs, physical sensations, emotions) are brought into awareness and held in attention whilst also attending to bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tactile taps, or auditory tones). This allows the memory to be reprocessed, where new associations are made between the original experience and other information that is already adaptively stored in the brain. The originally traumatic event is recognised as reprocessed when it is no longer disturbing in the present. In the previous example, the individual no longer feels disturbance in their body when remembering the abuse suffered, and now believes ‘I am safe now’. They may require additional assertiveness skills training to assist them in situations of conflict, and they are able to appraise the safety of situations based on the present reality.

(EMDR Institute, 2020; EMDR Training Australia & NZ)

What does therapy look like?

EMDR therapy is an integrative eight-phase treatment. 

Phase 1 consists of history taking and treatment planning, where the present areas of difficulty in your life and associated memories are organised in to themes, in preparation for processing. Of note, you do not have to discuss your past experiences in EMDR Therapy - processing a memory can be done with as little information shared as a title for the memory such as, Mum - age 10.

Phase 2 consists of preparation and stabilisation; here, you are informed in detail about what to expect during the reprocessing phases, and taught skills to assist you to manage difficult emotional experiences. During this phase, other types of therapy are often implemented. For example, cognitive-behavioural therapy techniques may be taught to assist you with unhelpful thoughts, and techniques such as breathing, relaxation, and imagery may be employed to assist you to manage difficult emotions and physical sensations. The amount of sessions spent in Phase 2 depends largely on your existing ability to manage challenging psychological experiences, and your ability to regulate your emotions. This is because during reprocessing, difficult memories and associated thoughts, physical sensations, and emotions will arise, where you may need to employ your skills to regulate your experience; also, although at the end of a session I will do my best to have you leave feeling safe and calm, reprocessing can continue beyond the therapy session, and I need to know that you are able to independently manage any difficult experiences that may arise. Reprocessing sessions can be tiring, so self-care is imperative to employ during the upcoming phases. An extended Phase 2 may be relevant for those with fears of / avoidance toward feeling emotion (i.e., you feel ‘too little’), difficulties in regulating emotions (i.e., you feel ‘too much’), or those with dissociative experiences.

Phases 3-6 involve activating and reprocessing the distressing memory content, which is followed by;

Phase 7, consisting of closure of the memory.

Phase 8 involves re-evaluating the previously inadequately stored information at the next session, to ensure complete processing has occurred.

The duration of therapy varies between people, and depends largely on your experiences. Some research has shown that a traumatic memory can be processed within a few sessions; however, we do not jump straight into processing, and therefore the duration of treatment will include the full 8 phases listed above. Some individuals may reach their goals within a short period of time, but most people will require a longer duration of treatment. We will discuss your expectations for therapy within our first session together.

Who is EMDR Therapy appropriate for?

EMDR Therapy was developed as a treatment for traumatic memories, and has been supported as an effective treatment for PTSD (e.g., Mavranezouli et al., 2020). Theoretically then, EMDR Therapy may be beneficial in the treatment of psychological difficulties generally that originate from traumatic memories. Researchers have found support for the use of EMDR Therapy for complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD; e.g., Karatzias et al., 2019), depression (e.g., Carletto et al., 2021; Dominguez et al., 2021), and even psychosis (e.g., Adams et al., 2020). Support has also been found for the use of EMDR Therapy in the treatment of dissociative disorders, anxiety disorders, pain disorders, and personality disorders; however, findings are preliminary and further research is required (EMDR Training Australia & NZ).

Who is EMDR Therapy not appropriate for?

If you are involved in an active legal situation (e.g., that involves law enforcement reporting or interviews, testimony, victim impact statements, etc.) related to the subject matter that you are wishing to address via EMDR Therapy, then this type of therapy is not appropriate at this point in time. Desensitation and reprocessing of traumatic memories can alter the content of memories (e.g., the visual content may change) and your response to them (e.g., leading to the absence of an emotional or physiological response), which could harm the outcome of legal proceedings. As such, this type of therapy is not employed until all legal and related proceedings are finalised. You will be asked to sign a consent form before commencing EMDR Therapy stating that you are not involved in any active legal situations.

How I can help

I offer EMDR Therapy for the treatment of difficulties of everyday living, which are associated with traumatic memories. Within EMDR Therapy I also use Ego State Therapy as needed to facilitate integration. During our initial session, we will discuss the most suitable treatment approach for you based on your expectations, goals, and current difficulties. Please complete my new client enquiry form if you would like to engage with my services for this type of therapy.