What is EMDR therapy, and how does it work for trauma?
EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) is a structured therapy for distressing memories. While you briefly bring a memory to mind, the therapist guides side-to-side eye movements, taps or tones, and over a series of sessions the memory usually feels less raw. NICE recommends EMDR for adults with PTSD, and the WHO lists it as one treatment to consider.
Key takeaways
- EMDR is an eight-phase therapy for distressing memories, developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s.
- NICE recommends offering EMDR to adults with PTSD more than 3 months after non-combat trauma.
- NICE says EMDR typically takes 8 to 12 sessions, sometimes more.
- It can stir up feelings between sessions, and you can pause or stop at any time.
- Rosemary Chaney trained in EMDR to the EMDR Europe standard (2022) and sees adults in Gorey, Dublin 7 and online.
In this article
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR is a psychotherapy for memories that still feel overwhelming. You hold a memory in mind for short periods while following side-to-side movements, taps or tones, then notice what comes up. It was developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro, who first published on it in 1989, and it is now used worldwide for PTSD.
EMDR stands for eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing. In a session, you usually follow the therapist's finger with your eyes while recalling the event. The HSE notes that other methods include the therapist tapping, or playing a tone in each ear (HSE, 2025). Shapiro first noticed the effect in 1987, published in 1989, and named the method EMDR in 1991 (EMDR Institute).
You stay fully awake and in control throughout. EMDR is not hypnosis, and it does not take the memory itself away (NHS leaflet, 2024). The aim is for the memory to stay a memory, without the same charge.
EMDR doesn't erase a memory; the aim is for it to feel like the past rather than the present.
Rosemary offers EMDR as part of trauma therapy in Gorey, Dublin and online.
How does EMDR work?
Nobody knows exactly why EMDR helps, and researchers are still studying it. The usual explanation is that some distressing memories stay stored in a raw form, and that recalling them in short, guided bursts helps the brain process them like other memories. Treat that as a working theory, not a proven fact.
Shapiro's working model is called adaptive information processing. It suggests that some memories are stored with the sights, feelings and body sensations of the moment, which is why they can feel present rather than past. How EMDR works is still debated in the research (BACP, 2026). What is better established is whether it helps, covered further down.
What happens in an EMDR session? The eight phases
EMDR follows eight phases. The first three get you ready and choose a starting memory. Phases four to seven process the memory and close each session safely. The eighth phase checks progress at the start of the next session. After complex or repeated trauma, the getting-ready stage can take longer.
The phases below follow the standard EMDR protocol (EMDRIA, 2021). Select a phase to read what happens and what you might notice.
Getting ready
Phase 1: History and planning
- What happens
- You and the therapist talk about what brings you and agree which memories or difficulties to work on.
- What you might notice
- Talking in general terms; you don't have to give every detail.
Phase 2: Preparation
- What happens
- The therapist explains EMDR and teaches ways to calm yourself, such as a safe-place exercise or grounding.
- What you might notice
- Learning tools you can use between sessions.
Phase 3: Assessment
- What happens
- You pick a target memory and notice the image, the negative belief about yourself, the feeling and where it sits in your body.
- What you might notice
- A brief, deliberate look at the memory.
Processing and closing
Phase 4: Desensitisation
- What happens
- Short sets of eye movements, taps or tones while you hold the memory in mind, with pauses to say what comes up.
- What you might notice
- Feelings rise and then often settle; new thoughts or images may appear.
Phase 5: Installation
- What happens
- A more helpful belief about yourself is strengthened with further sets.
- What you might notice
- A sense of something being more settled or true.
Phase 6: Body scan
- What happens
- You notice any remaining tension or sensation in your body, which is then processed.
- What you might notice
- Physical sensations easing.
Phase 7: Closure
- What happens
- Each session ends with calming techniques so you leave feeling steady, even if the work isn't finished.
- What you might notice
- Returning to a calm state before you leave.
Checking progress
Phase 8: Re-evaluation
- What happens
- At the start of the next session, you review what changed and decide what to work on next.
- What you might notice
- Checking in on sleep, mood and the memory.
Show all eight phases as a table
| Phase | Name | What happens | What you might notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | History and planning | You and the therapist talk about what brings you and agree which memories or difficulties to work on. | Talking in general terms; you don't have to give every detail. |
| 2 | Preparation | The therapist explains EMDR and teaches ways to calm yourself, such as a safe-place exercise or grounding. | Learning tools you can use between sessions. |
| 3 | Assessment | You pick a target memory and notice the image, the negative belief about yourself, the feeling and where it sits in your body. | A brief, deliberate look at the memory. |
| 4 | Desensitisation | Short sets of eye movements, taps or tones while you hold the memory in mind, with pauses to say what comes up. | Feelings rise and then often settle; new thoughts or images may appear. |
| 5 | Installation | A more helpful belief about yourself is strengthened with further sets. | A sense of something being more settled or true. |
| 6 | Body scan | You notice any remaining tension or sensation in your body, which is then processed. | Physical sensations easing. |
| 7 | Closure | Each session ends with calming techniques so you leave feeling steady, even if the work isn't finished. | Returning to a calm state before you leave. |
| 8 | Re-evaluation | At the start of the next session, you review what changed and decide what to work on next. | Checking in on sleep, mood and the memory. |
| Stage | Phases | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Getting ready | 1 History and planning, 2 Preparation, 3 Assessment | Build safety and choose a starting point |
| Processing and closing | 4 Desensitisation, 5 Installation, 6 Body scan, 7 Closure | Work with the memory and end each session steady |
| Checking progress | 8 Re-evaluation | Review what changed before the next step |
NICE also notes that EMDR is done in stages, normally uses eye movements with taps or tones as alternatives, and includes teaching ways to calm yourself and manage flashbacks (NICE NG116, 2018).
Does EMDR work? What the evidence says
For PTSD, yes, for many people. NICE recommends EMDR for adults with PTSD after non-combat trauma, the WHO lists it as a treatment to consider, and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies gives it a strong recommendation. A 2024 review found it works about as well as other psychological therapies for PTSD, not better.
| Source | Year | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| NICE guideline NG116 | 2018 | Offer EMDR to adults with PTSD, or clinically important PTSD symptoms, more than 3 months after a non-combat trauma. Consider it between 1 and 3 months if the person prefers it. Typically 8 to 12 sessions. |
| World Health Organization | 2023 | EMDR is one of the psychological treatments that should be considered for adults with PTSD. Conditional recommendation, moderate-certainty evidence. |
| ISTSS guidelines | 2018, amended 2019 | Strong recommendation for EMDR for adults with PTSD. |
| Cochrane review | 2013 | EMDR and trauma-focused CBT both did better than waiting-list or usual care, but the evidence was very low quality. |
| Wright and colleagues, Psychological Medicine | 2024 | Across 8 trials and 346 people, no significant difference between EMDR and other psychological treatments for PTSD. |
These recommendations are about PTSD. They don't cover anxiety, depression or other difficulties on their own, so if that's what you're facing, ask a therapist what is known for your situation.
NICE recommends offering EMDR to adults with PTSD more than three months after a non-combat trauma.
Is EMDR safe? Side effects and risks
EMDR is widely used and recommended, but it can be hard going. During and after sessions some people feel tired, tearful, anxious or tense, sleep badly or have upsetting memories surface. These effects usually come with processing difficult material. You can pause or stop at any time, and a good therapist builds stability first.
Mind lists possible effects including headaches, feeling sick, tension, tiredness, crying, anxiety, sleep problems, brain fog and upsetting memories, and says you can stop whenever you need to (Mind, 2026). Vivid dreams are common, and memories can come up between sessions (PTSD UK). The HSE notes that EMDR can be a distressing process (HSE, 2025).
What helps
- Preparation comes first. The calming tools from phase 2 are there for between sessions too.
- You set the pace. You can ask to slow down, pause or stop.
- Each session closes with steadying techniques, even when the work isn't finished.
- Tell your therapist about anything that came up between sessions.
You can pause or stop EMDR at any point; going at your own pace is part of the method.
Who is EMDR not right for, or not right for yet?
EMDR may need to wait if you're not safe right now, are in a crisis, or need more stability first. NICE advises extra time, safety and stabilisation for people with complex needs, including help with things like substance misuse, dissociation or overwhelming emotions. Its EMDR recommendation also covers non-combat trauma only.
- If you're in crisis today, start with urgent help, not EMDR. Call 112 or 999, or Samaritans free on 116 123.
- If you have complex PTSD or extra needs, NICE advises allowing more time to build trust, checking safety and stability, and helping with barriers such as substance misuse, dissociation and emotional dysregulation (NICE NG116, 2018).
- If your trauma is combat-related, NICE's EMDR recommendation doesn't cover it (Mind, 2026). Ask a specialist about the right approach.
- If you're under 18, Rosemary can't see you. Look for a therapist trained to work with young people.
Can EMDR be done online, or on your own?
EMDR can be offered by secure video, and Rosemary offers it online as well as in person. If you're considering online EMDR, talk it through in your first session; you'll need a private room where you won't be interrupted. Doing EMDR on yourself isn't the same thing: the staged, supported therapy NICE describes needs a trained practitioner.
Self-help apps and videos that copy the eye movements skip the preparation, the safety checks and the closing steps that the eight phases build in. If a memory is troubling you, talk to a therapist or your GP rather than processing it alone.
How many EMDR sessions will I need, and what does it cost?
NICE says EMDR typically takes 8 to 12 sessions, and more if clinically needed. NHS Scotland describes weekly sessions over 6 to 12 sessions. After complex or repeated trauma, it may take longer. With Rosemary, EMDR costs the same as other sessions: €75 in Gorey or online, €85 in Dublin 7.
There is no separate national price for EMDR in Ireland. The HSE says a private counsellor usually charges €60 to €100 a session and a private psychologist €90 to €180 (HSE, 2025). Some health insurance plans pay part of each session; see our guide to how much counselling costs in Ireland.
| Source | Typical sessions |
|---|---|
| NICE NG116, 2018 | 8 to 12, more if clinically indicated |
| NHS Scotland | Weekly, over 6 to 12 sessions |
How does Rosemary use EMDR in Gorey, Dublin and online?
Rosemary Chaney trained in EMDR to the EMDR Europe standard in 2022 and is trained in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (Levels 1 and 2), a body-based trauma approach. She combines them with talking therapy. You don't have to describe every detail of what happened, and trauma-focused work only starts when it feels right, at a pace you set.
How it usually starts with Rosemary
You get in touch by the booking page, email or phone. Rosemary replies personally, usually within one working day.
First session. You talk about what brings you, and how EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy work.
Preparation, the EMDR phase where you learn calming and grounding tools.
Trauma-focused work, if and when it feels right.
Rosemary has been IACP-accredited since 2005 and was a part-time trauma counsellor with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre from 2006 to 2008. She sees adults aged 18 and over at Bodhi, 14 Main Street, Gorey, at 24 O'Connell Avenue, Phibsborough, Dublin 7, and online across Ireland. Sessions last 50 minutes, and no GP referral is needed.
How do I find an EMDR therapist in Ireland?
Ask any therapist what EMDR training they have done, whether they are accredited, and who supervises their EMDR work. EMDR All-Ireland, the Irish association recognised by EMDR Europe, keeps a directory of accredited practitioners. Accreditation means supervised experience beyond the basic training.
- The directory. The EMDR All-Ireland directory lists accredited Practitioners, Consultants and Trainers. EMDR Europe lists EMDR All-Ireland as Ireland's national association (EMDR Europe).
- Training versus accreditation. Basic EMDR training is the first step. To become an accredited EMDR Europe Practitioner, a therapist also needs at least 25 clients, 50 EMDR sessions and 20 hours of consultation with an EMDR Europe Consultant (EMDR Europe).
- Their core profession. Check their main accreditation too, for example in the IACP, IAHIP, ICP or PSI directories (HSE, 2025).
Questions worth asking before you book
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Terms used on this page
- EMDR
- EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy for distressing memories.
- PTSD
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a condition that can follow a frightening or distressing event, with symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares and feeling on edge.
- Bilateral stimulation
- Bilateral stimulation means the side-to-side eye movements, taps or tones used in EMDR.
- Adaptive information processing
- Adaptive information processing is the working theory behind EMDR, about how distressing memories are stored and processed.
- Grounding
- Grounding is a technique for bringing your attention back to the present when you feel overwhelmed.
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a body-based approach to trauma that pays attention to physical sensations as well as thoughts and feelings.
Frequently asked questions about EMDR
Is EMDR therapy effective?
For PTSD, it is one of the recommended treatments. NICE recommends offering EMDR to adults with PTSD after non-combat trauma, the WHO lists it as a treatment to consider, and ISTSS gives it a strong recommendation. A 2024 review found it works about as well as other psychological therapies for PTSD, rather than better.
Can EMDR make things worse?
It can feel worse before it feels better. Some people have strong emotions, tiredness, headaches, vivid dreams or upsetting memories between sessions. Good preparation, going at your own pace and calming techniques at the end of each session help. You can pause or stop at any time, and you should tell your therapist about anything that comes up.
Can EMDR help with anxiety?
The main recommendations, from NICE and the WHO, are for PTSD, not for anxiety on its own. If anxiety is linked to a distressing memory, a trained therapist may suggest EMDR as part of the work. Ask what the evidence is for your situation before you start.
Why is EMDR controversial?
Mainly because nobody knows exactly how it works. The theory behind it is still being studied, and a 2024 review found it works about as well as other psychological therapies for PTSD, not better. Its use for PTSD, though, is backed by NICE, WHO and ISTSS guidelines.
What actually happens in an EMDR session?
After preparation, you bring a chosen memory to mind for short periods while following the therapist's finger with your eyes, or noticing taps or tones. Between sets you pause and say briefly what you notice. Each session ends with calming techniques so you leave feeling steady. You stay awake and in control throughout.
How much does EMDR cost in Ireland?
There is no separate national price. The HSE says private counsellors usually charge €60 to €100 a session, and private psychologists €90 to €180. With Rosemary Chaney, EMDR costs the same as other sessions: €75 for 50 minutes in Gorey or online, €85 in Phibsborough, Dublin 7.
Can I do EMDR on myself?
It isn't recommended for trauma memories. The EMDR that NICE recommends is delivered by a trained practitioner, in stages, with preparation and calming techniques built in. Apps and videos that copy the eye movements skip those safety steps. If a memory is troubling you, talk to a therapist or your GP.
Do you offer EMDR in Wexford?
Yes. Rosemary Chaney offers EMDR at Bodhi, 14 Main Street, Gorey, Co. Wexford, at 24 O'Connell Avenue, Phibsborough, Dublin 7, and online across Ireland. Sessions last 50 minutes and cost €75 in Gorey or online, or €85 in Dublin 7. Adults can book directly; no GP referral is needed.
Still have a question? Call 087 458 0150 or email Info@RCpsychotherapy.ie.
Training in brief
- EMDR
- EMDR Europe Standard training, 2022
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute trauma training, Levels 1 and 2
- MA
- Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (Clinical), Carlow Institute of Technology, 2021
- IACP
- Accredited since 2005; accredited supervisor since 2012
Sources and further reading
- Post-traumatic stress disorder: guideline NG116 — NICE, 2018. When EMDR is recommended and how many sessions.
- PTSD psychological interventions for adults — WHO, 2023. The current WHO recommendation and its strength.
- Treatment for PTSD — HSE, 2025. How EMDR fits with other PTSD treatments in Ireland.
- EMDR — Mind, 2026. What it can feel like and possible side effects.
- The eight phases of EMDR therapy — EMDRIA, 2021. The standard structure of EMDR.
- EMDR versus other psychological therapies for PTSD — Psychological Medicine, 2024. How EMDR compares with other therapies.
- Find an accredited EMDR therapist — EMDR All-Ireland. Directory of accredited practitioners.
- Get accredited — EMDR Europe. What accreditation requires.
What happens when you book
- You choose Gorey, Dublin 7 or online, then a session type and a time.
- You give your name, email and phone number. Clients must be 18 or over.
- Your slot is held for 30 minutes and confirmed as soon as the card payment goes through.
- You receive a confirmation email with the session details.
- Cancellation needs 48 hours' notice in person, or 24 hours online.
- Prefer to ask first? Enquiries are usually answered within one working day.
Who RC Psychotherapy works with
RC Psychotherapy offers private outpatient counselling, psychotherapy and trauma therapy for adults aged 18 and over. It is not a crisis or emergency service. Under-18s should see a therapist trained to work with young people.
If you need help now
If you are in danger now, call 112 or 999, or go to your nearest emergency department.
Samaritans: freephone 116 123, day or night.
Pieta: freephone 1800 247 247, or text HELP to 51444 (standard rates).
Text About It: text HELLO to 50808, free, 24/7.
HSE YourMentalHealth information line: 1800 111 888 (information, not counselling).
This is general information, not a diagnosis or personal advice. If you're worried about your mental health, talk to your GP.