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Eye movement desensitisation reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye movement desensitisation reprocessing (EMDR) is probably the most scientific brain-based therapy we offer at Lifespan Psychology for trauma and anxiety.
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Eye movement desensitisation reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye movement desensitisation reprocessing (EMDR) is probably the most scientific brain-based therapy we offer at Lifespan Psychology for trauma and anxiety. The left and right hemispheres in the brain are stimulated in quick succession (known as bilateral stimulation) through rapid eye movements or sounds. This helps the brain to process the traumatic memories.

EMDR’s eye movements resemble the rapid eye movement of REM sleep, where emotional memories are naturally processed.

Imagine you’re sitting safely inside a train , looking out the window as the landscape passes by. The train car, your present. The scenery outside, your thoughts and memories. As the train moves, you see various scenes flashing by. Normally, your mind works like this: memories pass by, you notice them, and they fade into the distance. But with trauma, your brain doesn’t finish “processing” that memory, so it stays stuck.

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How does Eye movement desensitisation reprocessing (EMDR) work?

It works through several brain systems interacting:
1
Bilateral stimulation reduces amygdala activation (fear centre)
During trauma recall, the amygdala becomes highly activated (fear, threat, emotion).

Studies show that eye movements reduce activation of the amygdala helping the brain shift out of survival mode.

Evidence suggests eye movements:
  • Lower amygdala reactivity
  • Increase prefrontal control
  • Make traumatic memories feel less emotionally intense

This allows the memory to be accessed without overwhelming physiological arousal.
2
Increases prefrontal cortex engagement (the “regulator”)
Bilateral stimulation boosts activation in the prefrontal cortex, responsible for working memory, cognitive control and re-evaluating emotional information.

This allows you to reprocess the memory with more logic and safety rather than fear.
3
Acts on the working memory system
This is one of the strongest and most experimentally supported theories.

When you recall a traumatic memory while perform undergoing a task, such as following moving fingers with your eyes, you overload working memory. The recalled memory then becomes:
  • Less vivid
  • Less emotionally intense
  • Easier to store as “past” rather than “present danger”

This explains why EMDR reduces emotional charge without erasing the memory.
4
Engages parasympathetic (calming) responses
As EMDR progresses, studies show that people begin to have a lowered heart rate, skin conductance (arousal) and an increase is vagal tone, regulating blood pressure.

This suggests the nervous system shifts toward parasympathetic nervous system, making trauma processing feel safer.

Resources

Feel free to download this EMDR Leaflet to find out further information on EMDR and this one to understand what it is.
EMDR Leaflet
EMDR EXPLAINED
Listen to our Breaking Through Therapy podcast episode where EMDR was used with “Anna” for recovery of child sexual assault, in combination with other trauma therapy techniques successfully in sessions.
LISTEN HERE