This article has been written by Dr Ines Santos, who is a clinical psychologist specialising in trauma and complex trauma, an EMDR therapist, consultant, and trainer, and is an accredited trainer with the EMDR Association UK and an EMDR Europe Accredited Trainer.

Ines will be with us on Friday 20th March to offer a one-day training event on “EMDR therapy – an introduction“. The training is taking place on Zoom with catch up recording available (if you can’t make it on the day). To find out more about the workshop you can head over to the event page on the Brighton Therapy Partnership website.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based psychological treatment that has reshaped the understanding and treatment of trauma and distressing experiences. Endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), EMDR is now widely practised across NHS, private, and charitable settings. It is recognised as one of the most effective interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related difficulties.

EMDR is also increasingly being applied to issues such as anxiety, depression, grief, and long-standing patterns of negative self-belief rooted in earlier adverse experiences.

Why Choose EMDR?

Francine Shapiro (February 18, 1948 – June 16, 2019) was an American psychologist and educator who originated and developed eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

Developed in the late 1980s by Dr Francine Shapiro, EMDR is grounded in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. This model suggests that our brains are naturally wired to heal when experiences are properly processed. When an event is overwhelming or traumatic, however, the brain’s normal processing can become blocked. Instead of being integrated smoothly into our life story, fragments — images, emotions, physical sensations, even self-doubts — can remain “stuck in time.”

These unprocessed memories can intrude on the present, triggering strong emotional or physiological reactions to minor reminders and recreating the fear, shame, or helplessness felt during the original event.

EMDR supports the brain’s natural ability to reprocess distressing material using bilateral stimulation — typically eye movements — while the client focuses on the target memory. Through this process, experiences that were once overwhelming can be recalled with a sense of distance and resolution rather than distress.

What Makes EMDR Distinct

Unlike many talking therapies, EMDR does not rely on prolonged retelling or detailed discussion of trauma. It engages both mind and body within a carefully structured eight-phase protocol. Therapist and client work collaboratively to identify memories for processing, establish safety and stability, and then use bilateral stimulation to facilitate adaptive resolution.

Clients often describe noticeable shifts — a sense that distress has lifted or that painful memories feels “in the past” rather than “still happening.” Emotions such as fear or shame may give way to more balanced self-beliefs, for example, “I’m safe now” or “I did the best I could.” The memories remains, but they no longer causes distress or dominate daily life.

Is There Evidence That It Works?

The research base for EMDR is substantial and continues to grow. Randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses consistently demonstrate that EMDR is effective in treating PTSD. NICE recommends EMDR as a treatment for adults, children, and adolescents, and major organisations including the WHO and the UK Department of Health endorse its use.

Beyond PTSD, EMDR has been applied to a range of other clinical presentations, including complex trauma, panic disorder, phobias, complicated grief, performance anxiety, and chronic pain.

That said, EMDR is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Its effectiveness depends on careful case formulation, client readiness, and the safe pacing of work. EMDR may not be appropriate for everyone, particularly where there is significant instability. Specialist supervision and adherence to the standard EMDR protocol are essential to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Integrating EMDR into Clinical Practice

Many therapists use EMDR as a primary treatment approach. It can also be valuable for clients who have not fully benefited from other therapies, such as CBT, or who have reached a plateau in their therapeutic progress.

EMDR functions both as a comprehensive therapeutic model and a flexible approach that integrates well with person-centred, psychodynamic, CBT, and other frameworks. It helps therapists understand how past experiences influence present difficulties and provides practical methods for addressing them, alongside strategies for stabilisation and safely managing complex client presentations.

It is important to note that EMDR should only be practised by accredited, properly trained clinicians who have completed EMDR Europe/ EMDR Association UK-accredited training. Competent use of the model requires understanding its eight-phase structure, adherence to ethical standards, and ongoing supervision and professional development.

Therapists who train in EMDR often describe it as reinvigorating their clinical work — offering a renewed sense of direction when addressing complex or long-standing difficulties. EMDR’s balance of structure and creativity can make therapy both more focused and more humane, providing a way to witness meaningful change in clients who may have felt stuck for years.

Upcoming Workshop with Dr Ines Santo

Want to explore more? Join us for our upcoming workshop – EMDR Therapy – An Introduction with Dr Ines Santos on Friday 20th March 2026, 10am-4pm on Zoom with catch-up recording available if you can’t make it on the day.

This introductory workshop offers an accessible overview of the model. The day explores how trauma affects memory and processing, why some experiences remain unresolved, and how EMDR supports the brain’s natural capacity to heal. Through discussion, demonstration, and case examples, participants develop a practical sense of how EMDR is applied in clinical work and can consider whether to pursue further accredited training.

This workshop is a useful first step in deciding whether to enrol in the accredited EMDR standard training.

Conclusion

EMDR offers a structured, evidence-based way of helping individuals process distressing experiences and restore a sense of balance and safety. While not suitable for every client or situation, it provides therapists with an effective framework for working with trauma and its many manifestations.

At its heart, EMDR reflects a hopeful understanding of human resilience. It reminds us that the potential for healing is already present within the person — therapy’s role is to create the conditions in which that process can unfold. When this happens, clients often find that what once felt unbearable can be remembered, understood, and finally laid to rest.

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