What Is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy?

Some people who have a shocking, dangerous, or frightening event may develop a disorder known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The symptoms of PTSD iinclude re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoiding similar situations, and developing anxiety and depression. Obviously, PTSD symptoms lead to a poor quality of life.

PTSD can be treated in several ways, including a combination of counseling and prescription drugs. One less well-known treatment option is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Studies show EMDR is effective in treating PTSD.^1,2

What is EMDR?

During EMDR sessions, the patient is told to briefly focus on the memory of the traumatic experience that caused their PTSD. While focusing on the memory, they experience bilateral stimulation through instructed eye movements – think “Follow my finger from right to left,” as you might do in an eye doctor’s office. This is thought to reduce the intensity of the memory and its associated emotions.³

EMDR is usually short-term, lasting 6 to 12 sessions held once or twice a week.³

How is EMDR used to treat PTSD?

There are generally 8 phases of EMDR therapy:³

1. History taking – The therapist will gather information about your experience and your symptoms to better identify what triggers your symptoms.
2. Patient preparation – You will be introduced to EMDR. The therapist will explain the process, such as practicing certain eye movements, revisiting traumatic memories, and calming strategies.
3. Assessment – Through image recall, thinking, and body sensation, the therapist will work to identify and activate the specific traumatic memory contributing to your PTSD.
4. Desensitization – Using eye movements while focusing on the memory, this process continues until the memory no longer contributes to PTSD symptoms.
5. Installation – This step strengthens the shift of focus to positive or neutral reactions to the memory.
6. Body scan – You are asked to observe your body’s physical response to thinking about the traumatic memory
7. Closure – The session is ended, and next steps are taken for next sessions or whether to end therapy.
8. Reevaluation – Review of previous session(s) and adjusting the treatment plan as needed.

How does EMDR work?

The exact reason behind the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is unknown. The theory is that PTSD and similar disorders occur because a person’s memory did not properly process the traumatic event. Advocates for EDMR think these unprocessed memories cause a recurrence of the negative emotions, thoughts, and physical reactions that occurred at the time of the original event.³

When these memories are triggered, the person with PTSD then relives the event. Unlike other types of therapy for PTSD, EMDR focuses directly on changing those emotions, thoughts, and physical reactions. The goal is to change the way these traumatic memories are stored in the brain, which then causes PTSD symptoms to go away.³

Benefits and risk

The use of EMDR to treat PTSD has increased in recent years. Though there are many studies that support its use, it is still somewhat controversial. As many as 90 percent of people treated with EMDR appear to have no PTSD symptoms after the therapy. In fact, it is been shown to be so effective that some doctors are trying EMDR to treat other disorders, such as bipolar disorder, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.^2,4

EMDR does not seem to carry any immediate risk other than the emotional or physical discomfort of revisiting a traumatic experience. The controversy lies with our lack of understanding about how eye movement may change a person's response to memory. The fact that the therapy requires the person to do 2 things at once – reliving and discussing a traumatic memory while following directions to perform physical eye movements – has also been called into question.^2,4

EMDR has been used by therapists to treat PTSD for more than 25 years. Studies show it is a safe and effective method to reduce the symptoms of PTSD. If you or someone you care about is suffering from PTSD and is interested in learning more about EMDR, talk to your doctor or therapist.⁴