If you’ve heard of EMDR, you may have wondered what actually happens during a session.
The name can sound unfamiliar, and the use of eye movements can sometimes make people wonder: Is EMDR a form of hypnosis?
The short answer is no.
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, is a structured psychotherapy approach used by trained clinicians to help people process distressing experiences and memories. While eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation are often used during EMDR, the process is very different from hypnosis.
So, what is EMDR?
EMDR is a trauma-focused therapy that was developed to help people process experiences that continue to feel emotionally or physically distressing.
Sometimes, after something overwhelming happens, the memory can feel as though it is still happening in the present. You might experience strong emotions, physical sensations, intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance or a heightened sense of threat, even when you know intellectually that the event is in the past.
EMDR aims to help the brain reprocess these memories, so they can become less emotionally charged and feel more like something that happened in the past.
Rather than simply talking through an experience repeatedly, EMDR uses a structured therapeutic process alongside bilateral stimulation — such as guided eye movements, alternating sounds or tapping.
What actually happens during an EMDR session?
EMDR isn’t about being put into a trance or losing control.
You remain awake, aware and able to communicate with your therapist throughout the session. Your therapist guides you through the process, while you briefly focus on aspects of a distressing memory and follow a form of bilateral stimulation.
The therapist may use alternating eye movements, sounds or taps to provide this stimulation.
Importantly, you remain in control of the process. You don’t have to disclose every detail of an experience, and you can pause or stop at any time.
EMDR also isn’t simply about revisiting painful memories. A significant part of the process involves preparation, developing coping strategies and creating a sense of safety before trauma processing begins.
How is EMDR different from hypnosis?
Although both approaches can sometimes involve focused attention, EMDR and hypnosis are not the same therapy.
During EMDR, you aren’t placed into a hypnotic state and you don’t hand over control to your therapist. You remain conscious and engaged throughout the session.
EMDR is a structured psychotherapy approach designed to support the processing of distressing memories and experiences. Hypnosis, on the other hand, involves a state of focused attention and increased suggestibility and may be used therapeutically for a range of different purposes.
The use of eye movements in EMDR can look unusual if you’ve never experienced it before, but the eye movements themselves aren’t intended to hypnotise you.
What can EMDR help with?
EMDR is most well known for its use in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related difficulties.
It may also be used clinically to support people experiencing difficulties associated with:
- traumatic or distressing experiences
- anxiety and fear
- phobias
- panic
- grief and loss
- disturbing or intrusive memories
- low self-worth associated with past experiences
- other trauma-related emotional responses
A trained clinician will consider your individual circumstances, symptoms and treatment goals to determine whether EMDR is an appropriate approach for you.
You don’t have to “forget” what happened
One of the common misconceptions about trauma therapy is that the goal is to erase a painful memory.
That’s not what EMDR is designed to do.
The experience and memory remain part of your history. The aim is to help reduce the intensity and distress associated with the memory, so that thinking about what happened doesn’t create the same level of emotional or physiological response.
For some people, this can mean being able to remember an experience without feeling as though they are reliving it.
EMDR is more than eye movements
The eye movements can be one of the most recognisable parts of EMDR, but they are only one component of a much broader therapeutic process.
EMDR is delivered within a structured framework by a trained practitioner, with preparation, assessment, processing and ongoing support forming important parts of the work.
At ATSC, our approach is always individualised. Different therapeutic approaches may be used depending on what you’re experiencing, your goals and what feels safe and appropriate for you.
If you’re curious about whether EMDR could be helpful for you, a conversation with a qualified clinician can be a good place to start. You don’t need to know exactly what type of therapy you need before reaching out.
