EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. While the name sounds complicated, the therapy itself is often experienced as gentle, contained, and surprisingly relieving. EMDR is a well-researched approach that helps people process distressing memories and experiences so they no longer feel as overwhelming or stuck in the present.
Many of us carry experiences that our nervous system hasn’t fully digested. Even if an event happened years ago, it can still show up as anxiety, strong emotional reactions, self-doubt, nightmares, or a sense of being “on edge” for no clear reason. EMDR works by helping the brain do what it naturally wants to do: make sense of what happened, put it in the past, and move forward.
How EMDR Works (in simple terms)
When something overwhelming happens, the brain can struggle to fully process it. Instead of becoming a memory that feels finished and distant, it can stay “alive” in the body and nervous system. This is why certain sounds, situations, or interactions can suddenly bring up strong emotions or physical sensations, even when you logically know you’re safe now.
In EMDR, we gently bring attention to a memory or experience while also engaging in a form of bilateral stimulation. This usually involves moving your eyes from side to side, or sometimes tapping or tones. This back-and-forth stimulation helps the brain reprocess the memory, allowing it to soften, shift, and integrate.
You are always awake, aware, and in control. EMDR is not hypnosis, and you don’t lose control or relive experiences in a dramatic way. Many people describe it as noticing changes naturally unfold, rather than forcing anything to happen.
What EMDR Can Help With
EMDR was originally developed for trauma, and it is widely used for experiences such as accidents, medical trauma, childhood experiences, or significant losses. Over time, it has also been found to be helpful for:
- Anxiety and panic
- Phobias
- Relationship wounds
- Low self-worth or harsh inner criticism
- Grief and complicated loss
- Feeling emotionally stuck or easily triggered
- Stress that feels stored in the body
You don’t need to have experienced something “big” or dramatic for EMDR to be helpful. Many people seek EMDR for experiences that felt confusing, overwhelming, or emotionally lonely at the time, especially if they didn’t feel supported.
What a Session Feels Like
EMDR therapy is always paced carefully. Before any memory work begins, we spend time building safety, trust, and resources so you feel grounded and supported. This preparation phase is an important part of the process.
During EMDR, you might notice thoughts, emotions, memories, or body sensations come and go. There is no “right” way to do it. Your role is simply to notice what arises, while your therapist helps guide and support the process. Many clients are surprised by how manageable the experience feels, even when working with difficult material.
Over time, memories that once felt charged often begin to feel more distant, neutral, or resolved. Clients frequently report feeling lighter, calmer, or more compassionate toward themselves.
A Gentle, Client-Led Approach
One of the strengths of EMDR is that it doesn’t require you to talk in detail about everything that happened. You share only what feels comfortable, and the work respects your pace and boundaries. Your nervous system leads the way.
EMDR is not about erasing memories. It’s about helping your system understand that the experience is over, and that you are safe now.
If you’re curious about EMDR or wondering whether it might be a good fit for you, you’re very welcome to ask questions or discuss how we could explore it together. Healing doesn’t have to mean reliving the past – it can happen in a way that feels supported, respectful, and empowering.
Manly Therapy and Counselling 