Frequently Asked Questions about EMDR
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a scientifically supported psychotherapy method that helps process traumatic memories through brain stimulation (usually guided eye movements). It is used primarily for PTSD, CPTSD, anxiety disorders, phobias, depression, and dissociative disorders.
How does EMDR therapy work?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is based on Adaptive Information Processing (AIP), a neurobiological model that assumes that traumatic experiences, due to their high emotional intensity, are stored in a non-integrated form – that is, they are preserved together with the original sensory and emotional components, without being properly connected to other memory networks.
When you experience trauma, the limbic system, especially the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, is activated. In traumatized individuals, the amygdala remains hyperactive, and the prefrontal cortex is unable to effectively modulate emotional responses, leading to a persistent activation of the stress response (hyperactivation of the HPA axis – hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis).
EMDR is based on dual attention stimulation (DAS), where we actively focus on the traumatic memory while the therapist uses bilateral stimulation (BLS) – guided eye movements, tapping, or sound stimuli that alternately stimulate the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
Research shows that bilateral stimulation affects:
✅ Desensitization of traumatic memories – reduces the emotional intensity of the memory and increases the sense of safety.
✅ Reactivation of the hippocampus - which allows for the correct temporal placement of traumatic events and prevents intrusive thoughts.
✅ Reduction of amygdalar response – neuroimaging research ( Pagani et al., 2012 ) has shown that EMDR reduces amygdala activity, leading to less fear overwhelm.
✅ Strengthening communication between brain regions - improves the connection between the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system, which helps in a more rational response to stress.
✅ Spontaneous memory restructuring – EMDR allows traumatic memories to be integrated into a broader context, similar to REM sleep, leading to a more adaptive interpretation of past events.
Several studies (e.g. van den Hout & Engelhard, 2012 ; Landin-Romero et al., 2018) confirm that bilateral stimulation reduces the workload of the prefrontal cortex, making it easier to reframe negative beliefs related to trauma.
EMDR is therefore not a method for "removing symptoms", but rather a neurobiological process of re-integrating memories that affects the entire nervous system and changes an individual's emotional and behavioral response to past traumatic events in the long term.
Can EMDR therapy be done online?
Yes! Research shows that online EMDR is as effective as in-person therapy when properly tailored.
🔹 Lenferink et al. (2020) found that EMDR via video call successfully reduced symptoms of PTSD and depression in patients who had experienced a loss.
🔹 Bongaerts et al. (2022) confirmed that the EMDR method is effective via video call also in the case of CPTSD.
For virtual implementation, the therapist uses visually trackable stimuli on the screen or tapping on the shoulders (Butterfly Hug).
How quickly does EMDR work?
The rate of improvement is individual, but research shows that:
✔ 77–90% of people with PTSD no longer meet criteria for PTSD after 3–7 sessions ( Shapiro, 2018).
✔ With complex trauma (CPTSD), the process is longer, but patients often experience improvement after just a few sessions.
Is EMDR painful or dangerous ?
No, but it can trigger a temporary increase in emotional intensity by allowing access to traumatic memories. Therapy is a safe process in which the therapist adjusts the pace and uses stabilizing techniques (e.g. breathing exercises, body awareness, safe space).
Does EMDR work for dissociation ?
Yes, but for dissociative disorders (e.g. DID, depersonalization, derealization) EMDR should be applied cautiously and gradually, as too rapid processing can trigger flooding. Research recommends a longer stabilization phase before starting intensive desensitization (Hornsveld et al., 2010).
Is EMDR better than classic talk therapies?
EMDR does not replace talk therapy, but rather builds on it with a targeted method for processing traumatic memories. Compared to using only classical techniques such as CBT:
✔ EMDR often requires fewer sessions
✔ Does not require detailed narration of the trauma
✔ Enables more lasting changes due to neuroplasticity
Is EMDR a recognized treatment method?
Yes. EMDR is officially recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP) as one of the most effective methods for treating trauma and PTSD.
What is EMDR an effective method for ?
EMDR is a scientifically validated method used to treat psychological, neurological, and psychosomatic problems. Initially developed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it is now successfully used for a wide range of conditions where traumatic experiences play a key role.
1. MENTAL DISORDERS AND MENTAL HEALTH
✅ PTSD and Complex Trauma (CPTSD) – an officially recognized method for treating trauma, including sexual abuse, violence, accidents, etc.
✅ Anxiety disorders – panic disorder, social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
✅ Depression – especially when it stems from unresolved traumatic experiences.
✅ Phobias and fears – including specific phobias such as fear of flying, heights or driving.
✅ Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – when it is associated with traumatic memories.
✅ Eating disorders – bulimia, anorexia, binge eating, where emotional trauma plays a key role.
✅ Responses to loss and grief – for complicated grief and unresolved losses.
✅ Bipolar disorder – EMDR can reduce traumatic triggers that worsen mood swings. Studies (Novo et al., 2014) show that EMDR can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with bipolar disorder.
✅ Schizophrenia and psychosis – EMDR is used as an adjunct therapy to process traumatic experiences that can trigger or worsen psychotic episodes. Research (van den Berg & van der Gaag, 2012) has shown that EMDR reduces the intensity of hallucinations and paranoid thoughts in patients with schizophrenia who have experienced trauma.
2. PSYCHOSOMATIC AND PHYSICAL PROBLEMS
✅ Chronic pain – fibromyalgia, migraines, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), neuropathic pain.
✅ Autoimmune diseases – multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
✅ Cardiovascular disease – stress and trauma increase the risk of hypertension and heart disease.
✅ Sleep disorders – insomnia, nightmares, sleep paralysis.
3. BEHAVIORAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS
✅ Children and adolescents - behavioral problems, learning disabilities, ADHD, anxiety.
✅ Self-destructive patterns – low self-esteem, impulsivity, addictions.
✅ Addictions – alcohol, drugs, overeating, compulsive shopping.
✅ Relationship problems – difficulty setting boundaries, fear of abandonment.
4. PERSONAL GROWTH
✅ Increasing self-confidence and reducing self-sabotage.
✅ Improving athletic and academic performance – top athletes and students use it to reduce jitters and increase focus.
✅ Overcoming creative blocks – artists, musicians, writers can use EMDR to eliminate internal obstacles.
✅ Stress management in high-demand professions - doctors, paramedics, soldiers, therapists, etc.
How many therapies do I need?
This depends on the individual. For a single trauma , 3–7 sessions may be sufficient, while for complex trauma (CPTSD) or chronic anxiety, longer therapy is needed.
Can EMDR cause symptoms to worsen ?
In some cases, there may be a temporary increase in emotional intensity as the processing of memories opens up repressed emotions. This is a normal part of the process and usually stabilizes within a few days.
Can repressed memories be revealed during EMDR?
Yes, EMDR can provide access to forgotten or repressed memories, but it is not hypnosis or a forced "discovery" of the past. It is a natural process of processing.
Is EMDR suitable for children ?
Yes! EMDR is also effective in children and adolescents. It is used to treat trauma, fears, phobias, ADHD and anxiety disorders.
What if I don't remember my trauma?
You don't need to have clear memories for EMDR to work. The therapy can also help process general emotions, bodily sensations, or vague fragments of memories.
What is the difference between EMDR and regular CBT therapy?
CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) focuses on changing negative thoughts through conscious learning, while EMDR allows the brain to process trauma on its own without forcibly reframing thoughts.
What happens if I dissociate during therapy?
The therapist will use stabilization techniques such as breathing exercises, body awareness, and grounding methods to prevent you from becoming overwhelmed or losing touch with reality.
Does EMDR help with burnout ?
Yes. EMDR can reduce emotional overload, process stressful events from the work environment, and improve the ability to cope with stress.
Do I need to talk about my trauma during EMDR?
Not necessarily. One of the advantages of EMDR is that it does not require detailed descriptions of the traumatic event, as in classical therapy. The brain processes the trauma on a nonverbal level.
Does EMDR also help with personality disorders?
Yes! In combination with CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and stabilization techniques, EMDR is also effective for some personality disorders (e.g. borderline personality disorder - BPD).
Is EMDR safe for people with complex relational trauma?
Yes, but it is crucial that the therapy is carried out by a qualified psychotherapist. In complex relational trauma, therapy is carried out gradually, as the client needs to be stabilized before the trauma can be processed. In CPTSD, a so-called "phased approach" is often used, where a sense of safety is first strengthened.
What if I have problems with concentration and visualization ?
No problem. EMDR can be adapted to use body sensations, sound stimuli, or tapping instead of visualization.
Does EMDR help with childhood trauma?
Yes. Numerous studies show that EMDR successfully processes early developmental trauma, neglect, emotional abuse, and complex traumatic experiences from childhood.
What can I expect after therapy?
Yes. Numerous studies show that EMDR successfully processes early developmental trauma, neglect, emotional abuse, and complex traumatic experiences from childhood.
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