Have you ever thought about a past experience and felt a strong physical reaction? It could have been an argument with a loved one, witnessing something confusing or distressing, or even the deep pain of losing someone close to you. When these memories come to mind, do you still feel a response in your body? Perhaps a tightness in your chest, a weight on your shoulders, butterflies in your stomach, or difficulty breathing. This is known as a somatic response.
Now, what if there was a way to change how your body reacts to these memories? A way to process them so they no longer trigger such intense sensations? That’s where Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) comes in.
EMDR is a therapeutic approach developed by Francine Shapiro, who discovered—by accident—that moving the eyes rapidly from side to side could help regulate heightened emotional and physical responses. Since then, EMDR has evolved into a powerful, structured therapy used to heal distressing memories.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) Model, which suggests that unresolved traumatic memories become stuck in the brain, leading to unhelpful coping behaviours. Think of your body as a natural healing system—like how it works to push out a splinter. However, sometimes the body needs assistance, and that’s where EMDR comes in. When distressing memories remain trapped, they need support to be fully processed and integrated into your experience in a healthy way.
EMDR therapy doesn’t just focus on the past—it also addresses the present and the future. By desensitising past trauma, managing present triggers, and preparing for future challenges, EMDR provides a comprehensive healing process.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR?
EMDR is most commonly used for trauma, but it’s also effective for a range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including:
- Phobias
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Chronic pain
- Addictions
- Nightmares
- Overeating
- Social anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
While EMDR is often used with adults, it can also be adapted for adolescents and children using creative approaches to engage both sides of the brain in processing memories.
For more information, visit EMDRAA or check out free clinical EMDR videos and podcasts.
Why Choose EMDR?
Healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s connected to the people around us. EMDR is particularly valuable in family therapy, where individual healing contributes to the well-being of the entire family system. Often, when a child displays behavioral challenges, the issue may not lie solely with the child but within the broader family dynamic. If a parent carries unresolved trauma, they may struggle to provide the support their child needs.
EMDR offers a way for parents to heal their own wounds so they can show up fully for their children, creating a more balanced and connected family system.
EMDR has helped many people reprocess painful memories and reduce distress. Here are some real-life experiences:
- “I’m better at expressing myself to my partner when I don’t feel well. I no longer feel like a failure when things go wrong, and I can share my feelings instead of hiding them.”
- “My heart used to race every time I visited the doctor. After EMDR, I was able to have my blood pressure taken without panicking.”
- “I feel great—less mental chatter, more freedom in my body, and clearer emotional boundaries.”
- “It was challenging, but I can see the benefits. I feel less jumpy and more at ease in the outside world.”
EMDR is more than just a therapy—it’s a journey towards healing, resilience, and a brighter future. If you’re ready to explore how EMDR can help you, schedule a 15-minute complimentary call with our EMDR Therapist, Ash Paul today.
