Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of psychotherapy that has been found to be effective in treating a range of psychological and emotional issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and phobias.


The basic idea behind EMDR is that traumatic memories and negative experiences can become "stuck" in the brain and can continue to cause distress and symptoms even long after the traumatic event has ended. EMDR aims to help individuals "unblock" these memories and process them in a new way, reducing their negative impact and promoting healing.


EMDR can often take place during counseling and is typically conducted in eight phases:

  1. History Taking: The therapist gathers information about the client's history and current symptoms.
  2. Assessment: The therapist assesses the client's suitability for EMDR therapy and identifies the specific target memories to work on.
  3. Preparation: The therapist prepares the client for the EMDR process by teaching them specific coping skills and techniques to use during the therapy sessions.
  4. Desensitization: The therapist guides the client through the process of reliving the traumatic memories while following a specific bilateral stimulation pattern, such as eye movements, tapping, or sound.
  5. Installation: The therapist helps the client focus on positive thoughts and feelings related to the traumatic event.
  6. Body Scan: The client is encouraged to focus on any physical sensations or emotions that come up during the therapy session.
  7. Closure: The therapist helps the client process any emotions or physical sensations that arose during the session and provides support as needed.
  8. Reevaluation: The therapist assesses the client's progress and determines if additional sessions are needed.

EMDR is often used in conjunction with other forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychodynamic therapy, to help clients achieve their treatment goals. EMDR has been shown to be particularly effective in the treatment of trauma-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it can be a valuable tool for anyone seeking relief from emotional distress.