Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that.
EMDR
therapy explained
(Eye-movement Desensitisation & Processing)
Notice that. Feel that. Go With That.
Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that. Notice that. Feel That. Go with that.
What is it?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy that helps people heal from distressing experiences, trauma, and the patterns those experiences leave behind. Instead of just talking about what happened, EMDR works with the way your brain and body store memories — helping you process them so they no longer feel as overwhelming in the present.
How does EMDR work?
When something difficult or traumatic happens, your brain doesn’t always process the memory in a way that feels “finished.” Instead, the memory can get stuck, leaving behind intense emotions, body sensations, and beliefs about yourself that continue to affect you.
EMDR uses a structured process and something called bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds) while you bring certain memories, triggers, or future worries to mind. This helps your brain reprocess the memory, so it’s stored in a more adaptive way. People often describe feeling like the memory is more distant, less intense, or easier to think about without the same distress.
The
8 Phases
of EMDR
EMDR isn’t just about eye movements - it’s a complete, eight-phase therapy approach. These phases help ensure the process is safe, paced to your needs, and focused on real change:
1
History & planning
In the first phase, we’ll take time to understand your story and what has brought you to therapy. This includes talking about your past experiences, current concerns, and your goals for healing.
2
Preparation
Here your therapist will help you develop the tools and strategies you’ll need to stay grounded during EMDR and in everyday life. This may include: guided imagery, breathing exercises, mindfulness, or physical grounding techniques.
3
Assessment
During this phase, we work together to identify the specific event or memory you want to reprocess. For most people, this involves looking at; Images that represent the memory; Beliefs about yourself connected to the memory (negative and positive); Feelings and body sensations that arise when thinking about the memory.
We can adjust how much detail you go into depending on your comfort and readiness.
4
Desensitisation
In this phase, we begin the core EMDR work: reprocessing the memory. You’ll focus on the target memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds). You may notice changes in emotions, body sensations, or how you think about the memory.
5
Installation
Once the memory feels less distressing, we work on strengthening the positive belief you identified during assessment. For example, replacing “I am unlovable” with “I am worthy” or “I am safe.”
Through bilateral stimulation, your brain integrates this healthier belief alongside the memory. Over time, this helps shift your perspective, so the memory no longer triggers intense distress or negative self-judgments.
6
Body Scan
After processing and installing the positive belief, we check in with your body. y.
If there’s any leftover tension, we’ll use brief processing to help release it. This step ensures that your mind and body are in sync, and that the memory feels fully resolved.
7
Closure
Each session ends with a closure phase, where we make sure you feel safe and grounded before leaving. This may include relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, or other strategies to help you feel steady.
8
Re-evaluation
At the beginning of the next session (and periodically throughout therapy), we revisit the memories and beliefs we’ve worked on to assess progress.
Re-evaluation helps us see what has changed, what may need more work, and whether the positive beliefs are fully taking hold. It ensures the EMDR process is effective, targeted, and moving you toward your goals.
Is EMDR
evidence-based?
Yes. EMDR is a well-researched therapy recommended by leading health organisations worldwide, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Australian Psychological Society (APS), and the American Psychiatric Association as a frontline treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
While EMDR was first developed for trauma, research has shown it can also be effective for a wide range of difficulties, including:
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Trauma and PTSD
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Anxiety and panic attacks
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Depression and low mood
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Phobias and fears
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Grief and loss
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Low self-esteem and negative self-beliefs
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Distress linked to childhood experiences or relationships
Research consistently shows that EMDR can create lasting change, often in fewer sessions than some other therapies. By helping the mind and body reprocess distressing memories and the beliefs attached to them, EMDR supports healing across many areas where the past feels “stuck” in the present.
Put simply, EMDR is a safe and effective approach you can trust, backed by strong research and international recognition.
