Finding Your Way Through: Understanding EMDR Therapy
Life can sometimes leave us feeling stuck, weighed down by past experiences that continue to echo into the present. At Red Earth Counselling, it’s just me — one therapist, committed to walking alongside people as they explore paths toward healing. One approach I’m trained in and use in my own practice, and that I’ve seen create profound change, is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy. The rest of this post is written more broadly so you can get a sense of what to expect from EMDR with your therapist, whoever that may be.
What can EMDR help with?
Initially developed as a powerful treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), EMDR therapy has, through extensive research and clinical practice, broadened its embrace. Today, it’s a recognised and effective approach for a wide range of difficulties, including depression, anxiety, phobias and grief. It’s about helping you gently untangle yourself from the grip of distressing memories, allowing you to step forward with greater ease and peace.
I often share this short video with adolescents and adults at the beginning of treatment, which briefly explains the origins and nature of EMDR therapy.
So, what exactly happens in EMDR?
EMDR is a structured and collaborative treatment. Think of it as a guided journey where your therapist walks alongside you, helping you navigate and ‘process’ those traumatic or distressing memories. It’s not about forgetting but about transforming how those memories affect you.
Here’s a glimpse into the process:
Identifying the memory: Your therapist will support you in identifying specific distressing memories. Often, we focus on the ‘worst part’ of the memory, sometimes as a vivid image.
Uncovering sensations and beliefs: We then explore the body sensations that accompany this image and the core negative belief you hold about yourself in relation to it (e.g., “I am not safe,” “I am not good enough”).
Gentle processing: Holding these aspects in mind, your therapist will guide you through several rounds of bilateral stimulation. This often involves following their fingers with your eyes as they move back and forth but can also include alternating sounds or gentle taps. This rhythmic stimulation helps your brain to naturally process the memory.
Adaptive perspective: Gradually, as the session progresses, you’ll find that the memory begins to lose its emotional charge. It becomes less distressing, and you start to integrate it into a more healthy and adaptive view of yourself and the world. It’s like your brain is finally able to file away the experience in a way that no longer causes daily disruption.
Eye movements is just one example of bilateral stimulation, which mimics the effects of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep.
A guiding metaphor
We often use the metaphor of being on a train, watching memories go by like scenery outside the window. Sometimes, the train might enter a tunnel, plunging you into darkness. In those moments, it’s important to remember to keep going, because there is always light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. EMDR helps you trust that journey, knowing you’ll emerge into the light.
Who is EMDR for?
EMDR therapy is suitable for both adults and children. It’s particularly helpful for those who find themselves experiencing present distress due to past events, feeling as though they are ‘stuck in the past’ or ‘as though it happened yesterday.’ If distressing and traumatic memories feel like physical sensations or deeply ingrained patterns that talking alone hasn’t fully resolved, EMDR might be a good next step.
It’s also important to know that trying EMDR therapy doesn’t mean it has to be the only tool in your healing toolkit. It can be wonderfully integrated with other therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Schema Therapy, to create a comprehensive and tailored plan for your wellbeing.
For children, I use this short video that playfully illustrates EMDR in an accessible and developmentally appropriate way.
Want to learn more?
The ABC recently published this article on 25/06/25, which I believe is an accessible intro to EMDR. Plus, it mentions a few famous people that have had positive experiences with the therapy, which can be rather validating! EMDR is being heralded as ‘life-changing’ for mental health treatment. But what is it?
I also recommend looking through the EMDR Institute’s website. The EMDR Institute was founded by the researcher who developed EMDR as a therapy — Francine Shapiro. They have a helpful page that explains What is EMDR Therapy for a Layperson.
Final thoughts
No single therapy is a ‘silver bullet’ or a panacea that promises to make all bad things disappear. EMDR, like all therapies, is a tool — a powerful one for many, but not for everyone. However, if you resonate with these descriptions, if you feel ready to gently process past experiences that are holding you back, and if you’re seeking a path towards greater emotional freedom, EMDR therapy may be a valuable option worth exploring on your healing journey.
If you’re curious whether EMDR therapy is right for you, I invite you to get in touch for a confidential chat. Good luck on your journey!
