If you’re considering EMDR therapy, it’s reasonable to ask whether it actually works. The short answer is yes, EMDR can help, particularly with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But it isn’t a guaranteed result, and your experience will depend on what you’re dealing with and how the therapy is paced.
What does the evidence say?
EMDR is an established treatment for PTSD. The NHS lists it among the treatments available, and NICE recommends offering EMDR to adults with PTSD or significant PTSD symptoms following non-combat trauma more than three months earlier. That is a meaningful endorsement, though it does not mean everyone will respond in the same way. NICE
You may also hear about EMDR being used for anxiety, low self-esteem or other difficulties. It can be worth exploring when distressing experiences seem connected to what you’re struggling with now. The strongest established evidence, however, is for PTSD. Your therapist should be clear about what EMDR may help with in your particular circumstances.
What might “working” feel like?
EMDR aims to reduce the distress attached to a memory. You still know what happened, but remembering it may feel less overwhelming. Some people find that triggers become easier to manage, or that beliefs such as “It was my fault” no longer feel as convincing.
Progress can be gradual. You might notice a change in how you respond to everyday situations before you notice a big change in the memory itself. You and your therapist can review what is shifting and what still needs attention.
Does EMDR work for everyone?
No therapy works for everyone, and EMDR is no exception. Some people need more preparation before working directly with distressing memories. Others need a longer course of therapy, especially when they have experienced several traumatic events.
What happens during treatment?
EMDR involves more than following a therapist’s fingers. Your therapist will first get to know your history and help you prepare. When you begin processing a memory, you’ll briefly focus on aspects of it while using side-to-side eye movements, taps or another form of bilateral stimulation. Your therapist checks in throughout and works with you at an appropriate pace. You can read more about what happens in an EMDR session.
It’s understandable to worry that revisiting difficult experiences could feel too much. Can EMDR make things worse? looks at temporary distress during treatment and why preparation matters.
Is EMDR worth considering for you?
If a past experience still affects how safe you feel, how you see yourself or how you respond to certain situations, EMDR may be worth discussing. You don’t need to know whether you have PTSD before making an enquiry.
I’m Rachael Fox, a BACP accredited psychotherapist offering EMDR face to face in Swansea and online. If you’d like to talk through your concerns, you can contact me for a free consultation. We can discuss what you’re experiencing and whether EMDR feels like a useful next step.
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