Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the most effective, evidence-based treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is endorsed by medical associations around the world, including the World Health Organization.
After treatment, people with PTSD often report a reduction in avoidant behaviours and cognitive distortions. They also describe the traumatic memory as becoming less vivid and less emotionally distressing.
A review of 26 randomized controlled trials concluded that EMDR significantly reduces depression, anxiety, and subjective distress in people with PTSD. In fact, EMDR has been shown to be more successful and efficient than psychotropic medication for symptom reduction.
Clients also report a range of long-lasting cognitive benefits after EMDR therapy. These include:
-
Improved thinking patterns
-
Better retrieval of episodic memories
-
Greater accuracy when recalling events
-
Increased attentional focus
-
Heightened body awareness
-
Improved mindfulness
-
Greater ease with free association
How Does EMDR Work? 4 Leading Theories:
1. EMDR taxes the working memory
EMDR is a dual-attention procedure that asks clients to focus simultaneously on bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements) and a distressing memory. Because the memory is held in working memory, and this system has limited capacity, trying to do both tasks at once reduces the vividness and emotional intensity of the memory.
2. EMDR enhances interhemispheric connectivity
Bilateral stimulation—whether auditory, tactile, or visual—has been found to boost communication between the brain’s left and right hemispheres, much like what happens during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. REM sleep plays a critical role in emotional processing and memory consolidation, acting as a kind of neurological “data clean-up.”
3. EMDR adjusts the storage of traumatic memories
Neuroscience research shows that cognitive elements of memory are stored in the hippocampus, while emotional aspects are stored in the amygdala. During deep sleep, memory traces from both areas are integrated into a single, cohesive memory. Animal studies suggest that this integration reduces the emotional charge of the memory—and EMDR may mimic this natural process.
4. EMDR triggers an orienting response and physiological de-arousal
An orienting response is a reflexive reaction to a real or perceived threat. EMDR’s eye movements reduce arousal in the nervous system, lowering electrodermal activity and heart rate. Research shows that this de-arousal is also linked to reduced activity in the lateral prefrontal cortex, which is associated with improved emotional regulation.
Learn More or Book a Session
For more information about EMDR, visit my EMDR Therapy page.
If you’re interested in booking an appointment—in person or online via Zoom—please contact me by phone or email.
EMDR Intensives: Fast-Track Your Healing
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed by trauma, an EMDR Intensive offers a powerful, time-efficient way to shift. Rather than spreading therapy out over months, intensives allow you to access and reprocess deeper layers of trauma in a focused, supported environment—often in just a few sessions. Whether you’re managing PTSD, anxiety, or a single distressing event, this accelerated approach can help you move through emotional blocks and reclaim your life with clarity and confidence.
Limited spaces available.
To book your EMDR Intensive—online or in-person—contact me here or visit the EMDR Intensives page for more details.