Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an interactive therapy initially developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Today, it is widely used to address various mental health issues, including complex trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and more. This evidence-based approach has proven effective in helping many individuals improve their mental health.
At Cova Psychology in Melbourne, we have a special interest in treating trauma, particularly using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing). Our psychologists and EMDR therapists are passionate about using this innovative approach to heal trauma and improve wellbeing. This page provides detailed information about EMDR therapy and its benefits, but if you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help.
EMDR involves focusing on thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations linked to traumatic memories while moving your eyes in a specific pattern. During 30 to 60-second intervals, you will follow a moving point of focus—either the motion of your therapist’s arm or a light box. This eye movement stimulates both hemispheres of the brain, engaging your working memory and activating specific brain regions, including those responsible for emotional processing, sensory storage, and reasoning.
By increasing activity in these brain regions, EMDR reshapes neural pathways, helping you process and integrate traumatic memories. This can lead to changes in how those memories are stored, making associated images less vivid and reducing the intensity of physical sensations such as hyper-arousal or hypo-arousal in your nervous system.
EMDR therapy often brings emotional and cognitive changes by helping you reframe traumatic memories. Painful cognitive distortions tied to these experiences—such as feelings of shame, guilt, or fear—can shift towards healthier, self-enhancing perspectives. This transformation is crucial for trauma healing, allowing you to resolve distress and anxiety while moving forward with a sense of resilience and empowerment.
Additionally, EMDR targets the core memories and underlying traumas in your brain, helping to regulate emotions and build emotional strength. As a result, you are better equipped to manage future stressors.
EMDR is one of two treatments recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for PTSD, alongside trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Many clients prefer EMDR because it is less invasive and more client-focused compared to CBT. This approach provides a tailored and empowering therapy experience, helping you heal at your own pace.
EMDR has been endorsed by international bodies including the Australian National Centre for Excellence in Post Traumatic Mental Health, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the National Health and Medical Research Council.
EMDR therapy is highly effective for individuals experiencing PTSD or trauma. However, it can also benefit those dealing with:
By improving emotional regulation and building resilience, EMDR therapy supports individuals facing a variety of mental health challenges. It is particularly effective in addressing traumatic events that contribute to these conditions.
In some cases, therapists may combine EMDR with other approaches, such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), to strengthen emotional resilience and regulation. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is another complementary method that can help address distorted thinking and enhance overall mental well-being.
Before starting EMDR therapy, you may need to develop skills to manage and reduce emotional arousal. Some clients may require other forms of therapy first to ensure they are ready for trauma processing. Your trauma therapist will assess your needs and guide you through each step of the process.
EMDR therapy is a structured and integrated trauma treatment consisting of eight phases. These phases guide the therapeutic process, though they may not always follow a strict order. For instance, assessment and preparation phases often overlap. During EMDR sessions, you will process traumatic memories and work towards healing.
Your EMDR therapist gathers information about your past, including physical and mental health, as well as your current life challenges.
The therapist assesses your ability to manage emotional discomfort during trauma processing. You may learn and practice new skills for emotional regulation to ensure safety before proceeding.
You and your therapist identify specific memories to target during treatment. This includes exploring related images, levels of distress, body sensations, and negative beliefs.
You focus on a memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation (BLS), such as moving your eyes from left to right as guided by your trauma therapist. BLS activates both brain hemispheres and working memory. If eye movements aren’t suitable, tactile or auditory alternatives are available. This phase aims to reduce emotional and physical distress while making the memory less vivid.
You work on installing a positive, self-enhancing belief to reprocess the memory.
You scan your body for any lingering physical or emotional sensations. These sensations may become the focus of further processing.
Your EMDR therapist ensures you leave the session feeling grounded and prepares you for the days ahead.
You and your EMDR therapist review the results of trauma processing. Together, you determine whether the work is complete or if additional sessions are necessary.
The number of sessions required for each phase varies based on individual needs. During the assessment phase, your therapist will discuss an estimated time frame.
The initial phases, such as history taking and goal setting, usually take 2–3 sessions. In the preparation phase, you may need to develop and practice skills for emotion regulation and distress tolerance, which can take different amounts of time depending on the person.
Trauma processing occurs in the mid-to-late phases. Single-incident traumas might require only 1–2 sessions, while complex trauma often involves more extensive work. For clients in long-term therapy, EMDR may be integrated as one part of their treatment, with trauma processing sessions spaced out over time.
The preparation phases of EMDR therapy are designed to help you regulate and tolerate the discomfort that may arise during treatment. Trauma processing often brings up intense emotions, including upsetting thoughts and physical sensations. You may also recall other traumatic or distressing memories, which can feel overwhelming.
Your trauma therapist will guide you through this process at a pace that ensures safety and comfort.
In the days following an EMDR session, you might notice changes in your emotional state. These changes are part of the trauma processing and can include lingering feelings from the session, heightened emotions, agitation, or dreams related to the memories being addressed. Although these post-processing experiences are usually less intense than those felt during the session, your therapist will prepare you with strategies to manage them. They will also support you as therapy progresses to ensure you feel grounded.
EMDR therapy is typically provided by Allied Health clinicians, including psychologists, clinical psychologists, mental health-accredited social workers, and occupational therapists.
In the early phases of therapy (phases 1–3), sessions last 50–60 minutes and are charged at the clinician’s standard rate. For trauma processing phases, some EMDR therapists offer longer sessions (usually 90 minutes), which may incur higher fees.
Yes, Medicare rebates are available for EMDR therapy under the Better Access to Mental Health initiative. To access these rebates, you will need a referral from your general practitioner (GP) or psychiatrist. This referral allows you to claim rebates for up to 10 psychology sessions per calendar year.
Research suggests that the effects of EMDR therapy are long-lasting for most people. Studies tracking civilian participants with PTSD over time found that eight out of nine studies reported sustained benefits at follow-ups ranging from 3 months to 5 years after treatment.
However, studies on veterans indicate that completing the full EMDR therapy process is crucial for maintaining its benefits.
No, EMDR is a comprehensive therapy involving assessment, planning, trauma processing, and treatment review. Many clients experience significant improvements, but these results are achieved through the structured EMDR protocol, not a single session.
No, EMDR therapy has been tested against other approaches, such as active listening, standard outpatient care using CBT, and relaxation training with biofeedback. Studies consistently show clinically significant and meaningful changes with EMDR compared to these methods, confirming it is not a placebo treatment.
Although EMDR therapy is widely recognised as effective for trauma and PTSD, its exact mechanism remains under investigation.
The role of eye movements (or bilateral stimulation) has sparked debate. Some researchers argue that eye movements may not be essential, while others, including clinical therapists who practise EMDR, consider them crucial to the therapy’s success.
At Cova Psychology, we advocate for ongoing research to deepen understanding of this transformative trauma therapy.
Most individuals can benefit from EMDR therapy. However, some may require an extended preparation phase to build skills and develop emotional regulation. This preparation is part of the EMDR model and ensures safety during trauma processing.
Some clients explore EMDR therapy after agreeing with their therapist that it may help with a traumatic event. During this process, clients sometimes decide to stop or pursue other therapies, such as talk therapy. It is important to discuss your preferences and comfort level with your EMDR therapist, so the treatment aligns with your needs.
At Cova Psychology, we take a trauma-informed approach, offering evidence-based therapies like EMDR. Our Melbourne psychologists and EMDR therapists receive ongoing supervision and training in EMDR to stay current with the latest research.
Most EMDR sessions occur in person at our Melbourne CBD clinic. For those unable to attend in person, telehealth options may be available.
Get in touch with our reception team to learn more about EMDR therapy in Melbourne or to book a session with an EMDR therapist at Cova Psychology.
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