EMDR Therapy

Origins of EMDR

EMDR was developed in 1987 by American psychologist Francine Shapiro, who discovered that certain eye movements seemed to reduce the intensity of distressing thoughts and feelings. Building on this insight, she created a structured, eight-phase therapeutic approach that helps people process traumatic memories safely and effectively. Since its development, EMDR has become one of the most researched trauma therapies in the world, endorsed by organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and the American Psychological Association (APA).

What does an EMDR session involve?

EMDR therapy is typically delivered in structured phases:

1. History-Taking and Preparation
   Your therapist will work with you to understand your personal history, identify target memories, and ensure you have the emotional resources and coping strategies to proceed safely.
   

2. Identifying the Target Memory
   Together, you will identify a specific distressing memory that continues to cause emotional disturbance.
   

3. Bilateral Stimulation (BLS)
   This is the core of EMDR therapy. While focusing on the target memory, the therapist will guide you through sets of bilateral stimulation, usually through side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. This process helps the brain reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional charge and making it feel less intrusive or distressing. Although this sounds unusual the role and importance of BLS has been extensively researched.
   

4. Desensitisation and Reprocessing
   As the session progresses, clients often find that new insights and perspectives emerge naturally, allowing them to reframe the experience and move toward an adaptive resolution.
   

5. Closure and Future Template
   Sessions conclude with grounding techniques, and you will also explore how to apply the insights you’ve gained to future situations.

What does it feel like?

Clients often report that EMDR feels like watching a distressing event become more distant or less emotionally charged. While you remain fully awake and in control, the therapy facilitates the brain’s natural ability to heal from trauma—much like how the body heals from a physical wound. Many people find that issues they’ve struggled with for years begin to feel lighter, more manageable, or fully resolved after a course of EMDR.

What can EMDR help with?

While EMDR was originally developed for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), research has shown it to be highly effective across a wide range of conditions, including:

• Childhood trauma and attachment wounds
  

• Complex PTSD
  

• Anxiety and panic disorders
  

• Depression
  

• Grief and loss
  

• Phobias and specific fears
  

• Chronic pain and medically unexplained symptoms
  

• Addictions and compulsive behaviours
  

• Performance anxiety (e.g., public speaking, sports, creative performance)
  

According to multiple controlled studies—including a seminal meta-analysis by Chen et al., 2014 and the Cochrane Review (2018)—EMDR consistently delivers significant improvements in trauma symptoms, often in fewer sessions than traditional talk therapies.

Is EMDR right for me?

If you find that past experiences continue to affect your mood, relationships, or sense of self, EMDR may offer a path to relief and emotional freedom. It is suitable for both single-event traumas (such as accidents or assaults) and more complex, long-standing issues rooted in early life experiences.

At Mirabilis Health, our trauma-informed clinicians are trained to deliver EMDR with sensitivity, safety, and compassion, creating a space where real healing can take place.