Does EMDR erase memories?

No. EMDR does not erase memories. What changes is the emotional charge associated with the memory. After processing, you still remember what happened, but without the same intensity of distress. The memory becomes a "normal" memory that no longer emotionally hijacks you.

Do I need to talk about everything that happened to me?

No. Unlike other therapies, EMDR does not require you to narrate the traumatic experience in detail. The therapist only needs a reference to the memory to guide processing. Your brain does the work.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on complexity. A single trauma (accident, isolated assault) may resolve in 3-6 sessions. Complex trauma (childhood, prolonged relationships) usually requires longer treatment, sometimes several months. Your therapist will guide you. Learn more about what to expect in your first session.

Can EMDR be done online?

Yes. A systematic review of 16 studies with over 1,200 participants found promising results in reducing PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms with remote EMDR (Kaptan et al., 2024). Bilateral stimulation adapts to digital format (visual movement on screen, alternating sounds). See our guide on online vs. in-person EMDR for a detailed comparison.

Does EMDR work for anxiety even without a clear trauma?

Yes. Many anxiety conditions originate from past experiences that, while not identified as "trauma" in the classic sense, were stored dysfunctionally. EMDR can be very effective for these situations.

Learn About EMDRPsychoeducation

What is EMDR

Everything you need to know about EMDR therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a scientifically validated therapy for trauma treatment. Discover how it works, what to expect, and why more professionals recommend it.

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Watercolor illustration of a tangled golden thread unraveling into a smooth flow, representing EMDR reprocessing

What is EMDR?

If you've been recommended EMDR or are curious about this therapy, here you'll find everything you need to know: what it is, how it works, who it's for, and what the scientific evidence says.

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's a psychological therapy developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987, initially for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The basis of EMDR is that traumatic experiences can become "stuck" in the brain, stored dysfunctionally with all their emotional, sensory, and cognitive charge. Through bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds), EMDR facilitates the reprocessing of these memories, allowing them to be adaptively integrated.

Today, EMDR is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA) as a first-line treatment for trauma and PTSD.

Unlike traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR does not require the patient to talk extensively about the traumatic memory or engage in prolonged exposure tasks. Processing occurs naturally through bilateral stimulation.

The 8 phases of EMDR

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Phase 1 - History taking: The therapist gathers information about your history, identifies target memories, and establishes a treatment plan.
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Phase 2 - Preparation: You learn regulation techniques (Safe Place, Butterfly Hug, breathing) so you can manage distress between sessions.
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Phase 3 - Assessment: The specific memory to process is identified, along with the most disturbing image, associated negative belief, emotion, body sensation, and disturbance level (SUD).
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Phase 4 - Desensitization: The memory is processed with bilateral stimulation. Your brain naturally reorganizes the memory. This is the most well-known phase of EMDR.
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Phase 5 - Installation: A positive alternative belief ("I am capable", "I am safe") is reinforced by associating it with the now-processed memory.
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Phase 6 - Body scan: A check to ensure no residual physical tension or discomfort remains associated with the memory.
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Phase 7 - Closure: Ensuring you leave the session in a stable state. Self-regulation techniques are reviewed.
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Phase 8 - Reevaluation: In the next session, the memory is reviewed to confirm processing held and no new material needs attention.

Who is EMDR for?

EMDR was originally developed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but research has demonstrated its effectiveness for many other conditions:

Trauma and PTSD - Accidents, assaults, natural disasters, war experiences.

Complex trauma - Adverse childhood experiences, neglect, prolonged abuse.

Anxiety and phobias - Social phobia, agoraphobia, specific phobias, generalized anxiety disorder.

Depression - Especially when linked to difficult life experiences.

Complicated grief - When the grieving process becomes blocked and causes prolonged suffering.

Chronic pain - EMDR can help reprocess emotional experiences associated with pain.

EMDR is suitable for adults, adolescents, and children (with adaptations). The number of sessions varies by complexity: a single trauma may resolve in 3-6 sessions, while complex trauma may require longer treatment. To learn what the process looks like from the start, read our guide on your first EMDR session.