What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy for trauma and PTSD. Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, it is recognized by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a first-line treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
EMDR works by helping clients process distressing memories using bilateral stimulation — alternating left-right sensory input — while holding a target memory in awareness. The process reduces the emotional charge of the memory without requiring detailed verbal recounting of traumatic events.
Who Uses EMDR?
EMDR was originally developed for PTSD, but clinical application has expanded to include anxiety disorders, phobias, depression, grief, chronic pain, performance anxiety, and attachment trauma. It is used with adults, adolescents, and children.
The EMDR Protocol — Eight Phases
- History Taking — therapist gathers background and identifies targets
- Preparation — psychoeducation, stabilization, resource installation
- Assessment — client identifies target image, negative cognition, emotion, body sensation, and SUDs rating
- Desensitization — sets of bilateral stimulation while client holds the target; SUDs reduced toward 0
- Installation — positive cognition strengthened using BLS; VOC raised toward 7
- Body Scan — client scans for residual body tension; additional BLS if needed
- Closure — session closed safely regardless of completion; containment if needed
- Re-evaluation — next session begins by checking previous targets
Bilateral Stimulation — The Three Modalities
Bilateral stimulation (BLS) is the core mechanism of EMDR. All three modalities are considered clinically equivalent by the research literature (Servan-Schreiber et al., 2006; Smeets et al., 2012):
- Visual — the client tracks a moving stimulus (therapist's fingers, a light bar, or a moving dot on screen) side to side
- Auditory — alternating tones delivered through headphones, one ear then the other
- Tactile — alternating taps or vibrations in each hand; most commonly delivered via hand-held tappers or buzzers
Speed typically ranges from 0.5 Hz for trauma processing to 1.5–3 Hz for resource installation. The therapist adjusts speed and intensity based on client response.
Resources
Find a Therapist
Clinical Guidelines
Bilateral Stimulation Tools
For Clients — Between-Session Support