What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a form of psychotherapy that helps people alleviate the distress linked to traumatic or highly stressful events. Developed in the late 1980s by Dr Francine Shapiro, it has become recognised worldwide—endorsed by organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
At its core, EMDR works by guiding your brain to reprocess traumatic memories so they lose their intense emotional charge. When we experience something disturbing, our minds sometimes struggle to store that memory in a way that feels ‘resolved’. Instead, the recollection can remain stuck, resurfacing repeatedly as flashbacks or nightmares. Over time, this can lead to ongoing anxiety, depression, and other mental health difficulties.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not rely solely on conversation. Instead, it employs bilateral stimulation—often in the form of side-to-side eye movements—while you recall certain aspects of a distressing experience. This process helps your brain integrate and file away the memory correctly. Here at IC Therapies in Maidstone, we use EMDR as a gentle yet powerful method to reduce the burden of traumatic memories, supporting you on your journey towards relief and a renewed sense of calm.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR is built around the idea that traumatic memories become ‘frozen’ in the brain. Normally, our mind naturally processes and stores everyday experiences, allowing us to recall them without feeling overwhelmingly distressed. However, in the aftermath of trauma, this processing can become disrupted. EMDR aims to restore the brain’s natural healing powers and move the memory into more adaptive storage.
During an EMDR session, your therapist will ask you to focus on a specific distressing memory, including any accompanying thoughts, emotions, and body sensations. At the same time, you’ll engage in a form of bilateral stimulation—this can be side-to-side eye movements, audio tones in alternating ears, or gentle taps on the hands. This dual focus on the troubling memory and the rhythmic stimulation is believed to help the brain reorganise and diminish the emotional intensity of the experience.
Over time, many people notice that memories that once provoked fear or distress become significantly less upsetting. They find they can recall the event without being overwhelmed by negative emotions. EMDR’s structured approach can bring deep, lasting relief, whether you’re grappling with a single traumatic incident or the cumulative effect of multiple adverse experiences. In Maidstone, IC Therapies offers EMDR as a safe, compassionate pathway to healing.
What Happens During an EMDR Session?
1) History-taking Phase
When you first arrive for EMDR therapy at IC Therapies in Maidstone, your therapist will begin by getting to know you—understanding your background, current challenges, and hopes for treatment. This initial ‘history-taking’ phase is crucial. It helps both you and your therapist identify the specific memories or experiences that need to be addressed. You’ll also discuss any concerns, ensuring you feel safe and supported.
2) Preparation Phase
Following this, the therapist will guide you through a preparation phase, where you’ll learn grounding techniques and strategies to manage any emotional distress that might arise. This stage helps you build a sense of security and confidence before diving into the more intense parts of therapy. You’ll also become familiar with the bilateral stimulation method, whether that’s moving your eyes from side to side, listening to alternating sounds, or experiencing gentle taps.
3) Assessment Phase and Desensitisation
Next comes the assessment phase, where you focus on the target memory and identify the negative belief associated with it—for instance, “I am unsafe” or “It’s my fault.” You’ll also determine a positive belief you’d like to hold instead, such as “I am secure.” During the desensitisation phase, you’ll recall the distressing memory while following the bilateral stimulation. Your therapist will pause periodically to check in, allowing you to notice any shifts in your feelings, thoughts, or body sensations.
4) Reinforcement, Body Scan, and Conclusion
As the session progresses, many people experience the memory becoming less disturbing, gradually losing its emotional intensity. The therapist will help you reinforce your chosen positive belief, creating a healthier outlook connected to the once-distressing memory. In later stages, you’ll ‘body scan’ to see if any residual discomfort remains. This careful process ensures that the distress is minimised as much as possible before concluding. Finally, you’ll wrap up the session by returning to a place of stability, equipped with self-soothing techniques to use in between appointments.
The Benefits of EMDR
EMDR offers a host of advantages for people dealing with trauma-related symptoms, including flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and depression. One significant benefit is its direct approach to reprocessing disturbing events. By tackling the emotional weight at its source, EMDR often brings quicker relief than many other talk-based therapies. Instead of spending months sifting through every detail of your past, you focus on the key traumatic memory while letting the bilateral stimulation guide your brain toward resolution.
Another notable strength of EMDR is its flexibility. Whether you’ve suffered a single traumatic event or face ongoing stressors, the therapy can adapt to suit your personal experiences. People from all walks of life and with various mental health struggles—such as phobias, addiction, or self-esteem issues—have found EMDR’s targeted approach helpful in reducing emotional overwhelm.
Beyond mitigating negative symptoms, EMDR can pave the way for renewed self-confidence and improved relationships. As distressing memories lose their intense hold, it becomes easier to engage with day-to-day life and build healthier coping mechanisms. At IC Therapies in Maidstone, we are committed to making the benefits of EMDR accessible to anyone seeking a more peaceful and balanced life. Let us help you transform your past burdens into a brighter, calmer future.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?
EMDR offers a host of advantages for people dealing with trauma-related symptoms, including flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and depression. One significant benefit is its direct approach to reprocessing disturbing events. By tackling the emotional weight at its source, EMDR often brings quicker relief than many other talk-based therapies. Instead of spending months sifting through every detail of your past, you focus on the key traumatic memory while letting the bilateral stimulation guide your brain toward resolution.
Another notable strength of EMDR is its flexibility. Whether you’ve suffered a single traumatic event or face ongoing stressors, the therapy can adapt to suit your personal experiences. People from all walks of life and with various mental health struggles—such as phobias, addiction, or self-esteem issues—have found EMDR’s targeted approach helpful in reducing emotional overwhelm.
Beyond mitigating negative symptoms, EMDR can pave the way for renewed self-confidence and improved relationships. As distressing memories lose their intense hold, it becomes easier to engage with day-to-day life and build healthier coping mechanisms. At IC Therapies in Maidstone, we are committed to making the benefits of EMDR accessible to anyone seeking a more peaceful and balanced life. Let us help you transform your past burdens into a brighter, calmer future.
EMDR Case Study
(Warning some people may find this example distressing)
Mark (not his real name) was a 29-year-old security officer whose life was turned upside down by a violent robbery at his workplace. During the incident, armed intruders stormed the building, shouting threats and instilling terror in everyone present. Mark felt convinced his life was in imminent danger. In the aftermath, he was haunted by powerful, intrusive memories of the shouting, the gunshots, and the sheer panic of that day.
As a result, Mark withdrew from work, fearing it was too dangerous to return. His relationships suffered as he isolated himself from family and friends, overcome by guilt and a shattered sense of security. Intrusive flashbacks, nightmares, and a constant sense of dread took over his everyday life. His sleep deteriorated, his energy levels plummeted, and his mood oscillated between intense anxiety and deep depression. The distress significantly affected his family relationships, especially with his wife and young children.
Upon seeking help, Mark engaged in EMDR therapy to target the memory of the robbery. We worked together to help him understand how the unresolved nature of his traumatic recollections was triggering his symptoms. Over the course of 12 sessions, Mark gradually found the nightmares subsiding, and he experienced fewer distressing flashbacks. His overall outlook brightened as he regained restful sleep and found his energy levels returning. Over time, he reconnected with friends and became more emotionally available to his wife and children. By the end of his EMDR treatment, Mark felt ready to embark on a new career path in marketing, carrying forward a renewed sense of hope and confidence.
