Does EMDR Really Work for PTSD?
If you live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you may have wondered if therapy can really make a difference. Perhaps you understand what happened to you, but your mind and body still react as though the danger is happening now. Flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance or feeling constantly on edge can make everyday life difficult.
So, does EMDR really work for PTSD? Research suggests that it can be an effective treatment for many people. Studies cited by PTSD UK have found that 84–90% of people with a single traumatic experience no longer met the criteria for PTSD after three EMDR sessions, while another study found that 100% of people with a single trauma no longer met PTSD criteria after six sessions.
These results are encouraging, but they do not mean everyone will recover in the same number of sessions. Your experiences, symptoms and treatment needs are unique.
What Is EMDR Therapy for PTSD?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy that can help you process distressing or traumatic memories.
When you experience trauma, your brain may continue to respond to the memory as though the danger is still present. This can leave you feeling distressed, on edge or overwhelmed when something reminds you of what happened.
During EMDR, a trained psychologist guides you through the memory while using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping or sounds.
The goal isn't to erase what happened. Instead, EMDR can help you:
Process traumatic memories in a safe, supported setting
Reduce the emotional intensity attached to difficult memories
Develop a greater sense of safety in the present
Remember what happened without feeling as though you're reliving it
How Does EMDR Help With PTSD?
PTSD can affect more than your thoughts. It can influence your emotions, physical responses and sense of safety. EMDR aims to help you process the traumatic experience rather than continuing to feel trapped in its effects.
It helps process traumatic memories
Some traumatic memories can feel unusually vivid or emotionally charged. You might know that an event happened years ago, yet a smell, sound, place or conversation can suddenly bring back the same fear.
EMDR trauma therapy focuses on these distressing memories in a structured and supported way. As the memory is processed, the emotional response connected to it may become less intense.
You are not expected to simply “get over” what happened. The goal is to help your mind process the experience differently.
It can reduce the intensity of PTSD symptoms
PTSD symptoms can include intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance, irritability and feeling constantly alert for danger.
When traumatic memories are processed, these responses may become less overwhelming. You may still remember what happened, but the memory does not necessarily have the same power over how you feel in the present.
For some people, this can make it easier to sleep, concentrate, manage triggers and take part in everyday activities without constantly anticipating something going wrong.
It can change how you understand what happened
Trauma can affect the beliefs you develop about yourself and the world around you.
You might think, “I should have stopped it,” “I am not safe,” or “I cannot trust anyone.” These thoughts can feel completely true, even when they do not reflect what is happening now.
EMDR can help you process these beliefs alongside the traumatic memory. Over time, you may begin to recognise that what happened was not your fault and that being affected by it does not mean you are weak.
It can help you feel safer in the present
One of the difficult parts of PTSD is that knowing you are safe does not always make you feel safe.
Your body may still react to reminders of the past with a racing heart, tension, panic or an urge to escape. EMDR can help reduce the emotional charge surrounding traumatic memories, making it easier to recognise the difference between what happened then and what is happening now.
The aim is not to forget the experience. It is to help you remember it without feeling as though you are reliving it.
Finding the Right Therapy for Trauma
If you're wondering what therapy is best for trauma, there's no single approach that works for everyone. The right option depends on your experiences, symptoms and what you feel comfortable with.
A psychologist can help you work through these factors and recommend an approach that suits your needs. For example:
EMDR: An evidence-based approach that can help you process distressing or traumatic memories.
Trauma-focused CBT: A structured therapy that can help you understand and change unhelpful thoughts, feelings and behaviours linked to trauma.
Other psychological therapies: Depending on your circumstances, another approach may be more appropriate or may be used alongside trauma-focused treatment.
Online trauma therapy: If getting to a clinic isn't practical, telehealth may give you another way to access support. Calder Psychology offers online appointments, with EMDR available online where clinically appropriate.
At Calder Psychology, your treatment is tailored to you. Our psychologists can help you understand your options and decide what type of support may be the best fit, so you don't have to work it out alone.
Finding the Right Support for PTSD
If PTSD is still affecting your day-to-day life, you don't have to work through it on your own. Speaking with a psychologist can help you understand what you're experiencing and find an approach that feels right for you.
Ready to take the next step? Book a session with us today and let’s discuss your options for support.
FAQs
Does EMDR really work?
Yes. Research supports EMDR as an effective treatment for PTSD, with many people experiencing a significant reduction in symptoms. However, results and recovery time can vary from person to person.
Can EMDR cure PTSD?
EMDR can help many people recover from PTSD and significantly reduce or resolve symptoms. However, there is no guaranteed “cure”, and the number of sessions needed will depend on your experiences and individual needs.
How long does trauma therapy take?
There is no set timeframe. Some people may benefit from a relatively short course of therapy, while others may need longer-term support, particularly after complex or repeated trauma. Your psychologist can help determine an approach that suits you.
What is nervous system regulation?
Nervous system regulation refers to your ability to manage your body's responses to stress and return to a calmer state after feeling threatened or overwhelmed. Trauma can affect this process, making it harder to feel safe even when there is no immediate danger.
What is polyvagal theory?
Trauma can affect more than your thoughts and memories. It can also influence how your nervous system responds to situations that feel safe or threatening. Understanding these responses can help explain why you may experience physical reactions even when you know you are not in immediate danger.
Polyvagal theory is a framework that explores how the autonomic nervous system responds to safety and threat. It can help explain why your body may shift into states such as fight, flight, freeze or shutdown when you feel unsafe.
If you'd like to understand more about why your body may still respond to danger after the threat has passed, read our article, Why Does My Body Still Feel Unsafe When I Am Safe? Trauma's Lasting Effects, for a closer look at how trauma can affect your body's response to safety and threat.
What happens in the first psychology session?
Your first session is usually an opportunity to talk about what brought you to therapy, your current concerns and what you hope to work on. Your psychologist will ask questions, get to know you and discuss possible treatment approaches. You don't need to have everything figured out before you arrive.
If you'd like to understand more about how trauma and therapy can affect the brain, you can also read our Understanding Trauma series, including Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5.
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