Talking Therapies : Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing
Overview
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a treatment for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A traumatic memory is caused by a distressing experience, such as witnessing or being involved in a car accident, medical emergency, natural or man-made disaster, different forms of abuse including emotional, physical or sexual attacks, or other crime related incidents (e.g. having your house burgled or seeing someone else being assaulted).
When a memory can’t be processed properly, it becomes ‘stuck’ in the brain with the original picture, sounds, thoughts and feelings.
This memory often gets triggered by a variety of reminders and can result in:
- recurring nightmares or flashbacks
- re-living emotions, such as panic, long after the event
- avoiding people, places, or feelings that remind you of the event
- worrying about the event happening again
- feelings of anger, irritability, or despair
- finding it difficult to relax
- sleep problems
EMDR therapy gets you to mimic the brain activity that happens during REM sleep while talking about the traumatic memory so that it can be reprocessed.
Your mind usually processes daily events and reduces their emotional intensity during the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep, which is when you dream. These eye movements appear to be involved during the processing of unconscious thoughts, feelings and memories. If you experience a traumatic event, this process can be disrupted.
What treatment involves
Your therapist will begin by asking you some questions to understand your readiness for treatment and work with you to create a treatment plan. First of all you will decide which difficult memory, or memories, to work on. They will then teach you some coping skills before completing some EMDR exercises with you.
You will be asked specific questions about a particular memory while moving your eyes like you would during REM sleep. You can also use tapping, or sounds, in EMDR if you prefer not to use eye movements.
Your therapist will then prompt you to report back on the experiences you have had during each set of eye movements, such as changes in thoughts, images, feelings, or body sensations.
The number of sessions you will have can vary depending on your situation. You may need a single session of EMDR, a short course of sessions over a few weeks, or a longer course that lasts for several months. Most sessions typically last up to 60 minutes. Sessions for reprocessing memories are 90 minutes.
When your symptoms have improved, your therapist will teach you methods for staying well in the future.
EMDR is only available by online video call or face-to-face at one of our locations.
We do not offer this treatment by phone call.
Accessing this treatment
To access this therapy you need to complete a wellbeing assessment with NHS Berkshire Talking Therapies, and be offered this treatment by one of our therapists. You may be offered a different treatment if we find another therapy or service is better suited to your needs.
You can refer yourself to NHS Berkshire Talking Therapies for a wellbeing assessment by completing our online form.
Preparing for treatment
Here are a few things you can do to get the most of your treatment:
- attend all sessions on time as planned
- be open and honest about your problems
- make your treatment aims as clear as possible, as working towards a goal can help boost your confidence
- be active in your sessions: ask us questions if you don’t understand a term or phrase we’ve used or if you’re unsure what happens next
- bring a pen and paper to take notes and read back on afterwards, as this will help you remember what we’ve discussed and what you need to do next
- keep your notes and sheets organised in a folder or a notebook
- allow yourself time after each session to gather your thoughts
- complete any tasks between sessions, as agreed with your therapist
- plan time each week to complete any activities we’ve suggested for you
If you're attending your sessions by video call, you will need to have:
- regular access to the internet, including sound, on a phone, tablet or laptop that can play video; and
- a private space to take the call without interruptions or distractions – such as care giving or driving.
- reading glasses, if applicable for you
Frequently asked questions
Who delivers EMDR sessions?
You will see a therapist who is trained in EMDR and accredited with a recognised UK professional body, such as:
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- British Association of Psychotherapy and Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
- UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
- British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
- EMDR Association UK
This includes trainees working towards their postgraduate certificate.
Will I still remember what happened to me?
The goal of EMDR treatment is to make your memories easier to manage, causing you less distress, not to erase the memories. With successful treatment, your emotions won’t be so intense when remembering the event.
Will I remain in control?
EMDR is not a form of hypnosis. You will be fully alert, awake, and in control, so you can stop at any time.
Most patients find EMDR to be a natural and empowering therapy. Throughout the sessions, the therapist will be led by you and will intervene as little as possible to make sure you’re able to get the full benefit of your treatment.
More about Talking Therapies
If your question isn’t answered here, you can find additional FAQs about Talking Therapies on our service page.
Resources
How EMDR works
Watch the YouTube video to learn about EMDR and how it works.
Video provided by VEN EMDR.
EMDR Therapy and Trauma to Adults
Watch the YouTube video to understand what EMDR Therapy is.
Video provided by EMDR Association UK.
What is EMDR Therapy?
Watch the YouTube video to understand what EMDR Therapy is.
Video provided by EMDR International Association.
Find out more about how EMDR works on these websites:
Support to stay well after your treatment
At the end of your treatment, you can join our online platform called SHaRON (Support Hope and Recovery Resources Online Network).
This is a secure online space for you to connect with others who are on a similar treatment journey and help you maintain the gains made during therapy and stay well.
When you log in, you’ll be able to find support resources such as forums, videos and blogs.
During office hours, you can also use The Wall to talk to peers and to our moderating team, which includes experienced clinicians, former patients, and volunteers, who can provide real-time commentary and support.
It can also be used by relatives and carers who are supporting a friend or relative with their needs.
Ask your therapist to help you get started.