This article answers 5 of the most common EMDR frequently asked questions

1. What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a gentle, evidence-based therapy designed to relieve distressing symptoms by addressing their root cause. It can help with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, phobias, PTSD symptoms, grief, and addiction. EMDR works by resolving the impact of traumatic experiences that contribute to current difficulties through a structured, guided process.

The goal of EMDR is to reduce the emotional charge or distress a memory carries to as low as is ecologically possible through an eight-phase process (described below). EMDR facilitates the brain’s natural healing process allowing the incident to be stored correctly in the long-term memory bank, where memories naturally fade with time.  

2. How many sessions will I need?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommends 8 – 12 sessions of EMDR for a single incident trauma, however more sessions will likely be required if you have experienced multiple traumas or have a history of adverse childhood experiences.

As an alternative to weekly sessions of EMDR therapy, I also offer an approach that condenses the work ordinarily done on a weekly basis, into full or half day therapy sessions. This is known as EMDR intensive therapy. It is a cost effective treatment which can yield meaningful progress in a short space of time. The overall length of an EMDR intensive is dependant on your individual goals.

A single day of EMDR intensive therapy may be adequate for an isolated traumatic event. If you have a complex trauma history originating from childhood and wish to achieve a comprehensive resolution then a 5-day EMDR intensive is the most likely recommendation. Those seeking to address a specific issue that has developed from multiple adverse experiences would benefit from 1 - 3 days of EMDR therapy.

We will explore your therapy goals at the initial consultation. EMDR is a collaborative process, I work with clients to develop a bespoke treatment plan that suits individual requirements and has the capacity to meet your goals for therapy. We can also explore how to make best use of a limited financial budget or time limitations

Typically, fewer hours are needed to complete an intensive course of EMDR therapy, compared with traditional weekly or fortnightly sessions. This is because hourly appointments incorporate a 'check in and check out' which can eat substantially into session time.

3. How much does EMDR therapy cost?

The cost of EMDR intensives is £480 per day. Typically seven hours in total, including an hour for lunch and additional breaks as required.

A half-day EMDR intensive is charged at £240 and usually runs 9am – 12noon, 1pm – 4pm or 5pm – 8pm with short breaks taken as needed.  Timings can be tailored to suit individual circumstances.

EMDR appointments scheduled on a weekly / hourly basis cost £100 per session.

4. What is Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) and why is it used?

Bilateral stimulation (BLS) is a technique that involves alternate stimulation to the left and right sides of the body. For the purposes of EMDR we will be using eye movements or butterfly hug tapping. Other types of BLS are possible, however I find the two types described here to be simple and effective for most clients.   There are several hypotheses that support the use of bilateral stimulation during EMDR:  

1. Eye movements are thought to mimic the function of REM sleep, during which the brain processes information and promotes healing. When eye movements are not possible, other forms of bilateral stimulation—such as alternating taps—can be used effectively.
   
   
2. When we encounter a harmful or threatening event, the nervous system triggers chemical responses that can disrupt key areas of the brain responsible for processing information. As a result, the traumatic memory becomes isolated, unable to connect with healthy neural pathways, which blocks learning and recovery. Most of the information needed to resolve trauma exists elsewhere in the brain. Bilateral stimulation helps engage all hemispheres of the brain and tax working memory, allowing the isolated trauma memory to integrate with adaptive information learned since the event or retained prior to it.
   
   
3. Bilateral stimulation fosters dual awareness - keeping one foot in the past and one in the present - while maintaining moderate arousal. This helps prevent overwhelming emotional responses and allows trauma memories to be accessed in a way that signals safety to the mind and body.
   
   
4. Slow tapping as a form of bilateral stimulation during positive resourcing and neural exercises is generally experienced as being soothing and regulating for the nervous system. It enhances focus and deepens connection to the material being accessed.

5. What happens during EMDR?

EMDR has eight phases. Some phases overlap, and others are repeated several times depending on the nature of symptoms and number of memories to be targeted. Below is an overview of each phase:

Phase one

During the initial phase of an EMDR intensive we will explore your symptoms and therapy goals. I will ask you to share a broad overview of your life experiences to date, including any events that you believe are relevant to the issues you wish to address. I may ask about aspects of your life that seem unrelated to current symptoms.  This is to help me gain an understanding of any other potential underlying causes, which may not be obviously apparent. 

Phase two 

Phase two focuses on preparing the mind and body for subsequent EMDR stages. We will build skills for effective trauma reprocessing and introduce bilateral stimulation (BLS) to ensure familiarity and understanding of its purpose. This work promotes emotional stability and regulation during and after sessions.

Using principles from taken from Polyvagal Theory and Internal Family Systems.  we will approach your symptoms with curiosity and compassion. This phase fosters deep reflection, self-awareness, and often brings a calming effect to parts of you that have endured pain and suffering.

Significant therapeutic gains can be made during the preparatory phases, and thorough preparation makes for much easier reprocessing of traumatic material. 

Phase three

This is the starting point for the desensitisation and reprocessing of experiences believed to be at the origin of your symptoms. We will have identified which memories are of significance during phases one and two and agreed upon the order of reprocessing. I will ask you some questions to activate different components of the chosen memory, but you will not be required to go into detail about what happened. Following phase three we go straight into phase four.

Phase four 

Once the memory has been activated as per phase three, I will ask you to begin the bilateral stimulation whilst just noticing what arises in your mind and body. During stimulation, allow your thoughts to flow freely without trying to process events in a structured or cognitive way. We are not seeking to analyse or make sense of the past - only to observe. It is through this gentle noticing that profound healing occurs.

Every so often I will ask for a small amount of feedback, just so I can understand where the reprocessing is at, what's changing or not changing in respect of the memory and how you are experiencing it now.  That feedback could relate to a shift in the image itself, memory content, thoughts, feelings or body sensations. There are no right or wrong answers.

While we cannot change the past, we can change how it is stored in the mind and body. Thanks to neuroplasticity - the brain’s lifelong ability to adapt - each time we access a memory network, we can update, reorganise, or integrate new information. This process reshapes how we relate cognitively, emotionally, and physically to the memory in the future. Accessing trauma networks in a safe, non-threatening way signals to the nervous system that what was once dangerous is no longer a threat. 

We may not need to reprocess every memory identified in phases one and two, as EMDR can have a generalising effect across other associated memory networks.

Phase five 

Here we turn our focus to the adaptive information, insight and perspective gained during the desensitisation and reprocessing phase. This usually happens in conjunction with, and often seamlessly alongside phase four.

Phase six 

Once a memory is thought to be fully reprocessed, we will test that with a ‘body scan’.  Any unusual tightness, tension or sensations occurring during this phase will be targeted with more BLS. 

Phase seven 

This is the ‘closure phase’ which comes at the end of each day of your EMDR intensive or hourly session.  We will debrief on the work completed and explore strategies for managing any distress or discomfort arising in between sessions.  

Please note: You must not try any of the above steps at home.  EMDR should only take place with the guidance of an experienced and competent EMDR practitioner. 

Phase eight 

This is the re-evaluation phase and happens at the start of the next session following memory reprocessing. If necessary, we will revisit memories targeted the previous day to clear out any residual disturbance. Phase eight is also an opportunity to review the EMDR treatment plan in line with your therapy goals and objectives.  If you attend a single day of EMDR intensive therapy I will check in with you by email 1-2 weeks after that session to see how things are and to discuss any next steps.

How can I book a course of EMDR?

Please email me at calmthechaoscounselling@gmail.com to arrange an initial consultation. This will take the form of a 60-minute session, held online via video call. The cost of this initial appointment is £80, payable at the time of booking.  If you feel comfortable, please provide a brief outline of your presenting issues and advise your availability for this appointment.  

At the initial consultation we will explore your symptoms or concerns and discuss what you would like to gain from EMDR therapy. You are also free to ask any questions about the therapy process and my way of working. I will make a recommendation as to the number of days required for an EMDR intensive if you are interested in this option.

Further questions?

Check out ‘A deep dive into EMDR’ and ‘Is EMDR therapy for me?’ for even more information about EMDR therapy.  If you can’t find the answer to your question, please email me at calmthechaoscounselling@gmail.com