What is EMDR Therapy? EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a powerful, evidence-based form of psychotherapy designed to help people process and heal from traumatic experiences. Often used alongside traditional talking therapies, EMDR is particularly effective in treating trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and emotional distress stemming from painful life events.

Whether you’ve experienced abuse, a traumatic accident, grief, or ongoing emotional stress, EMDR can help.

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Is EMDR Right for You?

EMDR has been shown to be effective for a wide range of issues, including:

• Childhood abuse or neglect
• Traumatic events (e.g. assault, war experiences, natural disasters)
• Road traffic and workplace accidents
• Domestic violence
• Surgical or medical trauma
• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss

When we go through overwhelming experiences, our brains can struggle to fully process what’s happening. Instead of becoming a past event, the memory may become stuck—remaining vivid, intense, and emotionally charged. You might find yourself reliving the event over and over again, much like being stuck on the same page of a book and unable to turn it.

EMDR helps you turn that page. It works by unblocking these memories, allowing your brain to reprocess them in a healthier way. Over time, the emotional impact weakens—so when you do think about the event, it no longer triggers the same overwhelming feelings.

If you’re unsure whether EMDR is right for you, you may find it helpful to explore the following articles available on this website:

• Psychotherapy and Counselling or EMDR – what is the right approach for you?

• EMDR Therapy and Counselling

• EMDR Principles to help with Every Day Stress

Additional trusted resources include:

• EMDR International Association – Introduction Video
• EMDR Association UK – Research and Information

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What Happens in EMDR Therapy?

Let’s take a closer look at the eight phases of EMDR so you know what to expect when working with a therapist:

Phase 1 – History Taking & Treatment Planning

Your therapist will begin by discussing your history, identifying target memories and emotional triggers, and setting therapy goals based on what you’d like to achieve.

Phase 2 – Preparation

In this phase, your therapist will explain EMDR in detail and help you develop emotional regulation techniques, such as deep breathing or grounding exercises. These will support you during and between sessions.

Phase 3 – Assessment

Together, you will identify a specific traumatic memory to target. You’ll explore the negative beliefs, physical sensations, and emotions tied to this memory—and begin to establish a positive belief to replace the old one (e.g. “I am safe now.”)

Phase 4 – Desensitization

Here, you’ll focus on the traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or tapping. This helps your brain begin the reprocessing work. Sets of stimulation typically last 25 seconds, followed by breaks for feedback and reflection.

Phase 5 – Installation

Your therapist will help you reinforce the positive belief, ensuring it becomes firmly embedded in your thinking. This phase continues until the new belief feels strong and true.

Phase 6 – Body Scan

You’ll be asked to recall the traumatic memory while noticing any physical sensations. If any distress remains, further processing is done. The aim is for both your mind and body to feel calm when thinking about the event.

Phase 7 – Closure

Each session ends with a return to a grounded, safe state. Your therapist may provide coping tools and ask you to track any emotional disturbances between sessions.

Phase 8 – Reevaluation

At the start of the next session, your therapist will check your progress. They’ll determine whether additional work is needed or if the memory has been fully reprocessed.

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Interested in EMDR Support?

Paul Carter is an experienced EMDR practitioner, counsellor, psychotherapist, and clinical supervisor. He offers EMDR therapy either online or by phone, and can integrate it with traditional counselling for a more tailored approach.

For more details about Paul’s qualifications and therapeutic approach, visit the About Paul and Counselling Services pages. For pricing, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions page.

📞 To book a session or learn more, call Paul on 07843 813 537
If Paul is in session and unable to answer, please leave a message—he will get back to you as soon as he can.

Alternatively, you can fill out the contact form here to request an initial conversation.

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