EMDR is an evidence-based psychological therapy that helps clients process traumatic experiences and distressing memories using bilateral stimulation techniques.
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychological therapy designed to help individuals process traumatic memories and associated difficulties. Developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987, EMDR takes a trauma-focused approach that emphasizes what has happened to a person rather than what is inherently wrong with them.
EMDR therapy is rooted in the adaptive information processing (AIP) model, which proposes that the brain has a natural tendency to process and heal from psychological distress, similar to the body’s ability to heal from physical injuries. EMDR activates this system by connecting clients' existing strengths with unprocessed, distressing memories, ultimately reducing emotional distress and supporting cognitive change.
EMDR is guided by a standardized, eight-phase protocol and incorporates bilateral stimulation techniques such as eye movements, hand tapping, or auditory tones to facilitate memory processing and integration.
This information handout introduces mental health professionals and clients to EMDR therapy in a clear, accessible way. It provides a concise overview of EMDR's theoretical basis, key therapeutic tasks, and conditions for which it is effective.
Use the handout to introduce EMDR principles during assessment or treatment planning.
Guide clients through understanding EMDR's structure and what to expect.
Assist clients in developing a trauma-informed understanding of their difficulties.
Facilitate conversations about suitability and readiness for EMDR.
Use the resource to enhance informed consent processes.
Provide to clients considering EMDR with another qualified practitioner.
EMDR therapy is grounded in the adaptive information processing (AIP) model, developed by Francine Shapiro, which proposes that the brain has a natural capacity to process information and move toward psychological health (Shapiro, 2001). Just as the body heals physical wounds, the mind is believed to work toward the integration of experiences. When a person experiences trauma, however, this natural processing system can become overwhelmed. Memories of the event may become stored in a fragmented and maladaptive state, retaining their original emotional intensity, sensory detail, and negative beliefs (Solomon & Shapiro, 2008). These unprocessed memories can continue to generate distress and shape current patterns of emotion, behavior, and thinking.
PTSD is a core condition for which EMDR was originally developed, and its symptoms — such as flashbacks, hypervigilance, and intrusive memories — are understood within the AIP model as the ongoing effects of unprocessed traumatic events. EMDR supports individuals to reprocess these memories using a standardized eight-phase protocol in which the client recalls traumatic material while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation (BLS) such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. This combination appears to facilitate access to the memory network and promotes the integration of new, adaptive information (Lee & Cuijpers, 2013). While treatment of PTSD and related disorders remains the most established application, emerging evidence suggests that the same mechanism of memory reconsolidation may also be effective in treating depression, OCD, anxiety disorders, and chronic pain when symptoms are understood to arise from unresolved distressing experiences (Carletto et al., 2021; Marsden et al., 2018; Tesarz et al., 2019).
EMDR follows a three-pronged approach that addresses past traumatic events, current triggers, and anticipated future challenges. This structure enables individuals to process historical experiences that underlie present symptoms, reduce reactivity in daily life, and build internal resources for future resilience. Therapists guide clients through each phase while prioritizing emotional safety and containment. Notably, EMDR does not require clients to describe traumatic events in detail, and techniques such as the “blind to therapist” protocol support trauma processing without verbal disclosure — particularly useful for clients experiencing shame or avoidance (de Jongh, de Roos, & El-Leithy, 2024).
EMDR is recognized as a first-line treatment for PTSD by leading clinical guidelines, including those of the World Health Organization (2013), the American Psychological Association (2017), and the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2018). Its efficacy has been supported by more than 30 randomized controlled trials, including studies in children and adults. A growing body of evidence also supports its application to a broader range of psychological disorders, including treatment-resistant depression (Seok & Kim, 2024), psychosis (Varese et al., 2024), and complex PTSD (Voorendonk et al., 2020).
