If you have been told that EMDR therapy might help you, your first reaction might be curiosity mixed with a degree of scepticism. Eye movements and therapy is not an obvious combination, and it is natural to want to understand what you are actually signing up for before you commit. Here is a straightforward guide to what EMDR involves and what that first session is likely to look like.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is an evidence-based therapy originally developed to treat trauma and PTSD, though it has since shown effectiveness for anxiety, phobias, grief and depression. The underlying idea is that distressing memories can become stuck in the brain’s processing system, continuing to trigger strong emotional responses long after the event has passed. EMDR therapy works by supporting the brain to process those memories more fully, reducing their emotional charge over time.
Your first EMDR session will not dive straight into difficult material. A good therapist will spend time understanding your history, explaining how the approach works and making sure you feel safe and prepared before any processing begins. This stage is sometimes called the preparation phase, and it is genuinely important. You will not be pushed to go anywhere you do not feel ready to go.
When processing does begin, you will be asked to bring a distressing memory to mind while following a repeated bilateral stimulus, most commonly the therapist’s moving finger or a light bar. This bilateral stimulation is what makes EMDR distinct from other talking therapies. Most people find the experience less intense than they anticipated. The memory does not disappear, but its emotional weight typically shifts noticeably over the course of treatment.
One thing worth knowing is that EMDR therapy does not require you to describe traumatic events in extensive detail. For people who find it difficult to talk about what happened, this can make EMDR a more accessible route into trauma processing than traditional talking therapies.
Progress with EMDR can sometimes feel rapid, though the number of sessions needed varies depending on what is being treated and how complex the history is. Your therapist will discuss this with you as part of the initial assessment.
At Angsana Psychology, Dr Jinnie Ooi offers EMDR therapy in Norwich for adults working through trauma, anxiety and other difficulties. If you would like to find out whether EMDR is right for you, get in touch today to arrange a free 15-minute consultation.
