Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, commonly called EMDR, is a structured psychotherapy approach developed to address distress connected with traumatic or disturbing experiences. It involves attending to aspects of a memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, alternating tones, or tapping.
EMDR is more than eye movements, and it should be provided by a clinician with appropriate training who can assess readiness, establish a treatment plan, and respond if significant distress arises.
During reprocessing, the therapist guides the patient to notice selected elements of an experience—such as an image, belief, emotion, or body sensation—while using bilateral stimulation. The patient then reports what arises, and the therapist structures the process without requiring a detailed verbal retelling of every part of the experience.
The goal is not to erase a memory. Treatment aims to reduce the memory's present-day distress and help it become integrated in a more adaptive way.
EMDR follows a phased model. Before active memory processing, the therapist typically:
Preparation may require more than one appointment. Some patients benefit from other therapeutic work before, instead of, or alongside EMDR.
EMDR may be considered for post-traumatic stress and other distress linked to adverse experiences. Its use for concerns beyond trauma depends on the clinical formulation, available evidence, clinician expertise, and patient preferences.
EMDR may not be appropriate at a particular time if the patient cannot remain adequately safe or regulated in outpatient treatment, lacks sufficient privacy for telehealth, has an unstable medical or psychiatric condition, or requires a different level of care. The therapist makes this determination individually.
There is no reliable universal session count. Timing depends on the number and complexity of treatment targets, current stability, personal history, therapeutic relationship, response to treatment, and other clinical needs. A single incident will not necessarily resolve within three to six sessions, and improvement is not always rapid.
EMDR training and current availability vary across the psychotherapy team. Dr. Mandy Mount incorporates EMDR within her integrative psychotherapy practice.
