EMDR is a structured eight-phase therapy for processing distressing memories, developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro. The World Health Organization lists it among the therapies to consider for PTSD. Start with our complete guide.
1 guide
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro. It helps people process distressing memories using short sets of eye movements, taps or tones.
This hub is the home on Self Help Supermarket for EMDR. Our complete guide explains the method step by step. As we check them, videos, podcasts, books and therapist directories for EMDR are added to this page.
New to EMDR? Our complete guide covers where it came from, the eight phases, what a session is like, what health guidelines say and how to find a trained therapist.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy that helps people process distressing memories. While briefly focusing on a memory, the person follows side-to-side eye movements,…
World Health Organization guidance (2013) says people with PTSD should be considered for trauma-focused CBT or EMDR (WHO, 2013).
A review of 114 randomised trials found trauma-focused CBT and EMDR had the strongest evidence for adults with PTSD (Lewis et al., 2020).
You will find more on how EMDR works, with sources, in the complete guide.
Read our complete guide first. It explains the eight phases and what a session is like.
Psychologist Francine Shapiro, who published her first study on it in 1989.
No. EMDR does not require a detailed retelling of the memory.
It varies. UK NICE guidance describes 8 to 12 sessions for adults with PTSD.
Yes. Many trained therapists offer EMDR online.
Do you practise EMDR? We are building a directory of trusted practitioners, courses and apps for every technique. Get in touch to be listed.
Apply to be listedThis hub is for general information and self-help education. It is not medical or psychological advice. External resources are selected by our editors and checked when listed; we are not responsible for third-party content.
