Psychological trauma is a response to an event (or a prolonged situation) that a person finds highly stressful. It can result from a wide range of events, including childhood neglect, toxic and abusive relationships, mobbing at work, violence, accidents or war. Trauma is not only about what happens to a person, but a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms it may cause. Trauma can manifest in a variety of psychological, emotional, and physical symptoms. These symptoms may appear immediately after a traumatic event or develop over time.
Emotional and psychological symptoms can include:
intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness, inability to experience joy, hypervigilance, irritability, anger outbursts, dissociation (feeling disconnected from reality, oneself, or surroundings), memory issues, difficulty concentrating, feeling guilt and shame, avoidant behaviours (avoiding places, people, or activities associated with the traumatic events)
Physical symptoms can include:
chronic fatigue, muscle tension, unexplained aches, headaches, or stiffness, digestive problems, stomach issues, nausea, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), sleep disturbances such as insomnia, or waking up in early hours or frequently during the night, increased heart rate, other physical signs of anxiety, even in non-threatening situations
Behavioural symptoms may involve:
substance abuse (using substances or food to numb emotions), self-destructive behaviour involving self-harm, or risky choices (i.e. engaging in unsafe sex), social withdrawal, compulsive behaviours (i.e. overworking) to manage anxiety
These symptoms are common in conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex PTSD(C-PTSD), and Acute Stress Disorder (ASD). However, trauma responses vary from person to person, depending on past experiences, resilience, and support systems.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is an effective, evidence-based therapy that helps people heal from trauma, anxiety, PTSD and more. It differs from traditional talk therapies as it facilitates the processing of processing distressing memories through structured bilateral stimulation using eye movements, sounds, or touch rather than analysing and dicussing problems verbally. During therapy, the client recalls a traumatic event while the therapist uses bilateral stimulation techniques to help process the experience.
How does it work?
Research shows that the EMDR therapy shifts the brain into a memory processing mode similar to the REM sleep phase during which the brain naturally processes and integrates information. The EMDR process supports the brain’s own ability to heal and reorganise distressing experiences.
Thanks to numerous clinical studies, EMDR is considered one of the most effective methods for treating trauma, offering real and lasting improvements. It is officially recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA), among others. Studies show that 84% of people with single-trauma no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD after approximately three 90 min EMDR sessions (Wilson et al., 1997, 1995).
The EMDR process consists of several stages that help the client gradually address trauma in a safe and controlled way.
Phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy consists of eight phases. Each phase has a specific goal and structure to ensure the therapy’s effectiveness and safety.
1. History Taking and Assessment
The therapist conducts a detailed interview about the client’s problems, trauma history, and current psychological state. The goal is to identify key areas for processing and assess the client’s readiness for EMDR.
2. Preparation for Therapy
The client learns stress management and emotional stabilisation techniques, which will be helpful during sessions. The therapist explains how EMDR works.
3. Assessment of Target Memories
The therapist helps the client identify core memories that trigger strong emotional responses. During this phase, the client also identifies negative beliefs tied to the memory, as well as positive beliefs they would like to strengthen.
4. Bilateral Stimulation and Memory Processing
This is the core of the therapy. The client focuses on the traumatic memory while simultaneously performing guided eye movements (or other bilateral stimulation such as sounds or tapping). This process allows the brain to reprocess the memory in a less distressing way, reducing its emotional intensity.
5. Strengthening of Positive Beliefs
Once the negative emotions linked to the memory have been neutralised, the client focuses on reinforcing positive beliefs about themselves.
6. Body Scan
The client checks whether the memory still causes physical tension in the body. If somatic reactions are present, therapy continues until they are fully resolved.
7. Session Closure and Emotional Stabilization
The session ends with stabilisation exercises to help the client return to emotional balance. The therapist teaches self-regulation techniques the client can use between sessions.
8. Evaluation of Therapy Outcomes
At the beginning of the following sessions, progress is assessed. The therapist and client decide whether to continue working on the same memory or move on to other issues.
N.B. The standard EMDR therapy protocol is structured around eight phases, however in practice, a therapist may adapt the pacing or revisit earlier phases depending on the client’s needs. The phases are a framework, not a rigid sequence. For complex trauma, or high emotional reactivity etc., more time may be dedicated to the preparation phase before moving to reprocessing. In specific situations, modified EMDR protocols may be used.
Duration of EMDR Therapy
The duration of EMDR therapy is individual and depends on several factors, such as the severity of the trauma, the number of memories to process, and the client’s responsiveness to therapy.
- Short-term therapy – In cases of a single trauma (e.g., a car accident), significant improvement is often seen after 3 to 6 sessions.
- Long-term therapy – For clients dealing with multiple traumatic events or chronic PTSD, therapy may require more sessions and extend over several months or longer.
- Length of a single session – EMDR sessions usually last between 60 and 90 minutes, and are held regularly—typically once a week, or more frequently if more intensive therapy is needed.
It is important that therapy progresses at a pace adapted to the client’s needs and preferences, ensuring comfort and emotional safety throughout the process.
I will be very happy to support you through your healing journey tailoring each session to respond to your needs and create space for deep emotional recovery.
References:
Carletto, S., Malandrone, F., Berchialla, P., Oliva, F., Colombi, N., Hase, M., Hofmann, A., Ostacoli, L. (2021) Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Psychotraumatology. 2021 April 9;12(1):1894736.
Pagani, M., Amann, B. L., Landin-Romero, R., Carletto, S. (2017) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Slow Wave Sleep: A Putative Mechanism of Action. Front Psychol. 2017 Nov 7;8:1935.
Shapiro, F. (2001) Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): basic principles, protocols and procedures. 2nd ed. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
Stickgold, R. (2002). EMDR: A putative neurobiological mechanism of action. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(1), 61–75.
Wilson, S. A., Becker, L. A., & Tinker, R. H. (1995). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment for psychologically traumatized individuals. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63(6), 928–937.
Wilson, S. A., Becker, L. A., & Tinker, R. H. (1997). Fifteen-month follow-up of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder and psychological trauma. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 65(6), 1047–1056. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.