EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a structured form of psychotherapy that helps people process distressing or traumatic memories, so those memories carry less emotional charge in day-to-day life. If you have been searching for what EMDR therapy actually involves, you are probably trying to work out whether it is the right approach before committing to it. This page sets out what EMDR is, how a session unfolds, and answers the questions people most commonly ask before booking.
What EMDR stands for
EMDR was developed in the late 1980s by American psychologist Francine Shapiro, who noticed that certain eye movements seemed to reduce the intensity of her own distressing thoughts. That early observation was developed into a structured, testable therapy model over the following decade.
Today, EMDR is recognised as an evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by bodies including the World Health Organisation and the American Psychological Association, and it appears in trauma treatment guidelines in several countries, including Australia. Recognition by these bodies does not mean EMDR suits everyone or every presentation; a psychologist will assess whether it is an appropriate fit as part of an initial consultation.
The idea behind EMDR
EMDR is built on what is known as the adaptive information processing model. The basic idea is that the brain has a natural capacity to process difficult experiences and file them away as memories of the past. Sometimes, particularly after trauma, that processing gets interrupted, and the memory stays stuck in a more raw, present-tense form. This is part of why a distressing memory can still feel vivid and can still trigger a strong emotional or physical reaction, years after the event itself.
EMDR uses sets of bilateral stimulation, most commonly guided eye movements, though tapping or alternating tones are also used, while a specific memory is briefly held in mind. The aim is to support the brain’s own processing so the memory can be stored in a way that feels more resolved and less distressing to recall.
What EMDR can help with
EMDR is most established as a treatment for PTSD and trauma, including single-incident trauma such as an accident or assault, and more complex or repeated trauma. It is also sometimes used to support people experiencing anxiety, phobias, grief, or distressing memories connected to other life experiences, though the strength of evidence varies by presentation. A psychologist can talk through whether EMDR is a good match for what you are dealing with, or whether another approach, or a combination of approaches, makes more sense.
How an EMDR session works
EMDR follows a structured eight-phase process, though not every phase happens in a single session:
1. History taking. Your psychologist gathers background on your history, current concerns, and the specific memories or experiences you would like to work on.
2. Preparation. Before any reprocessing begins, your psychologist explains what to expect and helps you build coping strategies for managing distress, both in session and between sessions.
3. Assessment. A specific target memory is identified, along with the image, belief, emotion, and body sensation connected to it.
4. Desensitisation. This is the phase most people associate with EMDR. While briefly bringing the memory to mind, you follow a form of bilateral stimulation, commonly side-to-side eye movements, in short sets, with regular check-ins.
5. Installation. Once distress around the memory has reduced, your psychologist helps strengthen a more adaptive, realistic belief in its place.
6. Body scan. You check whether any physical tension remains connected to the memory.
7. Closure. Each session ends with a return to a calm state, regardless of whether processing is complete.
8. Revaluation. Later sessions begin by reviewing progress and checking whether the target memory still carries distress.
Sessions are typically 60 to 90 minutes. How many memories are targeted, and how long that takes, depends on your individual history and goals; this is planned collaboratively with your psychologist rather than fixed in advance.
Why EMDR is sometimes called “controversial” (and what the evidence actually says)
If you search for EMDR, you will likely come across claims that it is controversial. This mostly traces back to the debate over the bilateral stimulation itself, the eye movements. Early critics questioned whether the eye movements added anything beyond the exposure and reprocessing elements EMDR shares with other trauma therapies, or whether they were simply a delivery mechanism around techniques that would work regardless.
That debate has been the subject of a substantial body of research since. EMDR has been evaluated in numerous randomised controlled trials and is listed as a recommended treatment for PTSD in clinical guidelines from bodies such as the World Health Organisation, the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and the American Psychological Association. As with any therapy, individual outcomes vary, and EMDR will not be the right fit for every person or every presentation, which is part of why an initial assessment matters. But the core premise, that EMDR is an established, evidence-based approach to trauma, is well supported.
Is EMDR available online?
EMDR is available both online and in person at Living Nurture Psychology; the choice comes down to individual preference. The therapeutic impact is similar either way; what matters most is your ability to engage with the process and stay present during the session, rather than the format itself.
How many sessions does EMDR typically take
No fixed number of sessions applies to everyone. A single, well-defined traumatic memory may be processed in a handful of sessions. Complex trauma, or trauma connected to childhood or repeated experiences, generally takes longer, as there are often multiple memories to work through and more groundwork needed in the preparation phase. Your psychologist will discuss a realistic timeframe with you once they understand your history and goals, rather than offering a generic estimate upfront.
Finding the right EMDR therapist
EMDR should only be delivered by a psychologist or mental health clinician with specific training in the model; general counselling or psychology qualifications alone are not sufficient. When looking for an EMDR therapist, it is reasonable to ask about their training, which training body accredited them, and how much experience they have using EMDR for concerns similar to yours.
At Living Nurture Psychology, psychologist Lynn Ng is a member of the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA), the national professional body for EMDR practitioners, and is listed on their public therapist directory. You can view her EMDRAA profile here: https://EMDRaa.org/member/wenlynn.ng/.
If you would like to talk through whether EMDR could be a good fit for you, you can book an initial consultation with our team.
Common questions about EMDR
Does EMDR hurt?
No. EMDR does not involve any physical procedure. The bilateral stimulation, eye movements, tapping, or alternating tones, is not painful. Some people find the process itself brings up strong emotion, which is a normal part of processing a difficult memory, and your psychologist will support your pacing throughout.
Will I have to describe what happened in detail?
Not in the way you might with some talk therapies. You are asked to briefly bring the memory to mind rather than narrate it at length. Many people find this makes EMDR more manageable than approaches built around detailed verbal recounting.
Will I feel worse before I feel better?
It is common to feel some increased emotion during or shortly after a processing session; this is generally expected and temporary. Your psychologist will check in with you and make sure you leave each session in a settled state, using the closure phase described above.