THERAPY & TREATMENT
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people heal from trauma and PTSD by reprocessing disturbing memories. Endorsed by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, EMDR can produce results in weeks that traditional talk therapy may take years to achieve. EMDR is available at Advanced Health and Education in Eatontown, NJ as part of our comprehensive trauma treatment approach.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a structured psychotherapy that helps people process and recover from traumatic experiences. It was developed in 1987 by Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., who made an accidental observation during a walk in a park: she noticed that certain eye movements seemed to reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts. This personal insight led to decades of research and the development of a formal therapeutic protocol now used in over 130 countries worldwide.1
EMDR is best known for its effectiveness in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but its applications have expanded significantly. It is now supported by research for treating depression, anxiety, phobias, grief, chronic pain, and — increasingly — conditions associated with substance use disorders.2
What distinguishes EMDR from traditional talk therapy is how it works. Rather than requiring clients to talk in detail about the traumatic event, analyze their thoughts about it, or complete lengthy homework assignments, EMDR uses a specific protocol that includes bilateral stimulation — typically guided eye movements — while the client briefly focuses on the traumatic memory. This process appears to help the brain reprocess the memory so that it is stored in a healthier, less distressing way.3
The results can be remarkably swift. Research funded by the health maintenance organization Kaiser Permanente found that 100% of single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple-trauma victims no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD after just six 50-minute EMDR sessions.1 A study of combat veterans found that 77% were free of PTSD after 12 sessions.1
How Trauma Gets “Stuck” in the Brain
To understand why EMDR works, it helps to understand how the brain processes traumatic memories differently from ordinary memories. Under normal circumstances, the brain processes experiences through a network of interconnected memory systems, integrating new information with existing knowledge and emotional context. Think of it like a filing system that automatically sorts experiences into appropriate categories.
During a traumatic event, however, the brain’s information processing system can become overwhelmed. The high levels of stress hormones and neurological arousal interfere with normal memory consolidation, causing the experience to be stored in a raw, unprocessed form — complete with the vivid sensory details, intense emotions, and distorted beliefs that were present at the time of the event. This is why people with PTSD describe flashbacks as feeling like they’re reliving the event rather than simply remembering it — the memory hasn’t been properly processed and filed away.4
EMDR appears to reactivate the brain’s natural information processing system, allowing these “stuck” memories to be reprocessed and integrated into existing memory networks. After successful EMDR treatment, the memory of the traumatic event remains — you don’t forget what happened — but it no longer triggers the intense emotional and physiological distress it once did.3
Who Recognizes EMDR?
EMDR has earned endorsement from a wide range of authoritative organizations:
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends EMDR as a treatment for PTSD in adults and children.5 The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense list EMDR as a “best practice” for treating veterans with PTSD.6 The American Psychiatric Association recognizes EMDR as an effective treatment for trauma.7 The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies “strongly recommends” EMDR for post-traumatic stress.8 More than 30 randomized controlled trials support EMDR’s effectiveness, and most international clinical practice guidelines recommend it as a first-line treatment for PTSD.9
EMDR and Substance Use Disorders
The relationship between trauma and addiction is well established. Research from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies indicates that anywhere from 25% to 75% of people with a history of traumatic experiences report problematic substance use, and that up to 45% of people in substance use treatment have co-occurring PTSD.10
Because many people use substances to cope with the distressing symptoms of unresolved trauma — the flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness — addressing the trauma directly can remove a powerful driver of continued substance use. A meta-analysis published in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research found that EMDR was effective for people with substance use disorders, showing significant improvements in treatment engagement, addiction severity, and comorbid PTSD and depressive symptoms.11
At Advanced Health and Education, EMDR is available as part of our comprehensive treatment approach for clients whose substance use or mental health conditions are connected to traumatic experiences.
At Advanced Health and Education in Eatontown, New Jersey, EMDR is available within our mental health treatment program and dual diagnosis program for clients whose conditions are connected to traumatic experiences. Our trained EMDR therapists work with clients managing PTSD, anxiety, and depression at the residential and PHP levels of care.
How EMDR Therapy Works
EMDR follows a structured eight-phase protocol developed by Dr. Shapiro. Each phase serves a specific purpose in preparing for, conducting, and completing the reprocessing of traumatic memories.3
Phase 1: History and Treatment Planning
Your therapist will take a detailed history to understand your current symptoms, past experiences, and treatment goals. Together, you’ll identify the specific memories, current triggers, and future situations that need to be addressed. This phase does not require you to share every detail of your traumatic experiences — a general understanding is sufficient to develop the treatment plan.
Phase 2: Preparation
Before processing traumatic material, your therapist will teach you coping techniques to manage emotional distress — such as guided imagery, deep breathing, or a “safe place” visualization. This ensures you have the tools to handle any strong emotions that arise during or between sessions. Your therapist will also thoroughly explain the EMDR process so you know what to expect.
Phase 3: Assessment
For each target memory, your therapist will help you identify several components: the most disturbing visual image related to the memory, a negative belief about yourself connected to it (such as “I am powerless” or “It was my fault”), the positive belief you’d like to hold instead (such as “I am strong” or “I did the best I could”), the emotions and physical sensations you experience when you focus on the memory, and the current level of disturbance you feel.
Phases 4-7: Desensitization, Installation, Body Scan, and Closure
These are the active processing phases. You’ll be asked to hold the target memory in mind while following your therapist’s finger (or another form of bilateral stimulation, such as tapping or auditory tones) with your eyes. This dual attention — focusing on the memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation — typically lasts for sets of about 30 seconds. After each set, your therapist will ask you what came up — new thoughts, images, emotions, or sensations.
Over the course of processing, the distressing memory typically loses its emotional charge. The negative belief about yourself weakens and is replaced by the positive belief identified earlier. Your therapist will guide you through a body scan to identify and process any remaining physical tension associated with the memory, and each session ends with specific closure procedures to ensure you leave feeling stable.
Phase 8: Reevaluation
At the beginning of subsequent sessions, your therapist will check whether the improvements from the previous session have been maintained and whether new material has surfaced that needs to be addressed. Treatment continues until the identified targets have been fully processed and new adaptive responses are firmly established.
One important note: unlike many other therapies, EMDR does not require you to talk in detail about the traumatic event, and it does not assign homework between sessions.6 The processing happens within the session, through a mechanism that appears to tap into the brain’s own natural healing processes.
What to Expect with EMDR at Advanced Health
EMDR at Advanced Health and Education is delivered as an individual therapy by clinicians who have completed specialized EMDR training. It is typically incorporated as one component of a broader treatment plan that may also include group therapy, medication management, and other therapeutic modalities.
Before beginning EMDR processing, your therapist will spend time getting to know you, understanding your history, and building a strong therapeutic relationship. The preparation phase is essential — your clinician wants to make sure you have solid coping skills in place before working with traumatic material.
During active processing sessions, you’ll be seated comfortably and asked to bring a target memory to mind while following your therapist’s bilateral stimulation (usually a moving finger, a light bar, or alternating taps). Sessions typically last between 60 and 90 minutes, with the actual bilateral stimulation occurring in brief sets. You remain fully awake and in control throughout the process — EMDR is not hypnosis, and you can stop at any time.
Many people describe the processing experience as similar to watching scenery pass by from a train window — the memories and associated thoughts, feelings, and images shift and change as the brain processes them. Some sessions may bring up strong emotions, which is a normal part of healing. Your therapist will guide you through these moments and ensure you feel grounded before the session ends.
Most people begin to notice improvement within the first few sessions. Research indicates that most people who complete one to three months of weekly sessions (approximately 6 to 12 sessions) show significant improvement in PTSD symptoms.6 However, more complex trauma histories may require additional sessions.
Between sessions, you may continue to process material — this can show up as new insights, vivid dreams, or shifts in how you think about past events. These are generally signs that healing is occurring. Your therapist will check in about any between-session experiences at the start of each meeting.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
EMDR offers several advantages over traditional approaches to trauma treatment, backed by more than 30 randomized controlled trials.
- Recommended as a first-line PTSD treatment by the WHO, the VA/DoD, and most international clinical practice guidelines
- Produces rapid results — many clients show significant improvement in just 6 to 12 sessions
- Does not require detailed discussion of the traumatic event, which many trauma survivors find more tolerable
- No homework is required between sessions — processing happens within the therapy session itself
- Proven effective for both single-trauma and multiple-trauma survivors
- Growing evidence supports its use for substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, and chronic pain
- Superior to medication (fluoxetine/Prozac) for trauma treatment in at least one head-to-head study
- Effects are lasting — improvements are typically maintained after treatment ends
Conditions We Treat with EMDR
EMDR is primarily recognized for its effectiveness with trauma-related conditions, but emerging research supports its use across a broader range of diagnoses. At Advanced Health and Education, our clinicians may use EMDR to address:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD develops after trauma and can include intrusive memories, avoidance, mood changes, and hypervigilance. At Advanced Health and Education in Eatontown, NJ, trauma-focused therapies like EMDR and CBT are central to our PTSD treatment approach.
Learn moreAnxiety
Anxiety disorders go beyond everyday worry. They involve persistent fear or worry that’s out of proportion to the situation and hard to control.
Learn moreDepression
Depression is more than feeling sad—it’s a treatable mental health condition that can affect mood, sleep, energy, and daily functioning.
Learn moreResearch & Evidence for EMDR
0.93
Effect size (Hedges' g) vs. control conditions across 76 trials
Cuijpers et al., Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 2020
100%
Of single-trauma victims PTSD-free after ~6 sessions (Kaiser Permanente)
Marcus et al., Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 1997
77%
Of combat veterans PTSD-free after 12 sessions
Carlson et al., Journal of Traumatic Stress, 1998
91%
PTSD-free at follow-up vs. 72% for fluoxetine
van der Kolk et al., Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2007
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing has accumulated over 30 randomized controlled trials and is recognized as a first-line treatment for PTSD by every major international clinical practice guideline — including the World Health Organization, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).1
A comprehensive meta-analysis of 76 randomized trials found a large overall effect size for EMDR compared to control conditions (Hedges’ g = 0.93), and EMDR was also significantly more effective than other active therapies (g = 0.36).2 Notably, research conducted at Kaiser Permanente found that 100% of single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple-trauma victims no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD after a mean of only six 50-minute sessions.3 For combat veterans, a separate study reported that 77.7% no longer had PTSD after 12 sessions, with effects maintained at 3- and 9-month follow-up.4
EMDR’s evidence base has expanded beyond PTSD into substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, phobias, and grief. In a head-to-head comparison with fluoxetine (Prozac), EMDR was found to be superior for both PTSD and depression — and unlike medication, the EMDR group continued to improve after treatment ended, while the fluoxetine group experienced symptom recurrence. At follow-up, 91% of the EMDR group was PTSD-free compared to 72% of the medication group.5
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail during EMDR?
No. Unlike many other therapies, EMDR does not require you to describe your traumatic experience in detail. You will be asked to briefly hold the memory in mind during processing, but your therapist does not need a detailed narrative. Many people find this aspect of EMDR more tolerable than traditional talk-based trauma therapies.
How does eye movement help with trauma?
The exact mechanism is still being studied, but the leading theory is that bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones) engages the brain’s natural information processing system in a way similar to what happens during REM sleep. This appears to help “unstick” traumatic memories that are stored in a raw, unprocessed form and allow the brain to integrate them into normal memory networks, reducing their emotional charge.
Is EMDR like hypnosis?
No. During EMDR you remain fully awake, alert, and in control at all times. You can stop the process whenever you choose. Unlike hypnosis, EMDR does not involve any altered state of consciousness or suggestion. You’re simply processing your own memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation.
Can EMDR help with addiction?
There is growing evidence that EMDR can be a valuable component of addiction treatment, especially when substance use is connected to underlying trauma. A meta-analysis found EMDR effective for people with substance use disorders, showing improvements in treatment engagement, addiction severity, and comorbid PTSD and depression. EMDR can also be used with specific addiction-focused protocols that target cravings and substance-related triggers.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
This depends on the complexity of your trauma history. Research shows that 84-90% of single-trauma survivors no longer have PTSD after just three 90-minute sessions. For people with multiple traumas or complex trauma histories, more sessions are typically needed. Most people complete treatment within 6 to 12 weekly sessions, though benefits often begin within the first few sessions.
References
- Shapiro F. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures. 3rd ed. Guilford Press; 2018.
- Maxfield L. A clinician's guide to the efficacy of EMDR therapy. J EMDR Pract Res. 2019;13(4):239-246.
- Shapiro F. The role of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in medicine: addressing the psychological and physical symptoms stemming from adverse life experiences. Perm J. 2014;18(1):71-77.
- Cleveland Clinic. EMDR therapy: what it is, procedure & effectiveness. Cleveland Clinic Health Library. Updated 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22641-emdr-therapy.
- World Health Organization. Guidelines for the Management of Conditions Specifically Related to Stress. WHO; 2013.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD. Updated 2024. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand_tx/emdr.asp.
- American Psychiatric Association. Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients with Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. APA; 2004.
- International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. ISTSS PTSD prevention and treatment guidelines. Updated 2018.
- Cuijpers P, Veen SC, Sijbrandij M, Yoder W, Cristea IA. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for mental health problems: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cogn Behav Ther. 2020;49(3):165-180.
- International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Trauma and substance use. ISTSS Fact Sheet.
- Pilz R, Hartleb R, Engelbrecht M. The effectiveness of EMDR with individuals experiencing substance use disorder: a meta-analysis. J EMDR Pract Res. 2023;17(2):82-95.
Medically Reviewed By
Clinical Director
Kelsey Blakeslee, LCSW, LCADC, is the Clinical Director at Advanced Health and Education, where she provides clinical oversight and leadership for complex mental health and substance use treatment programs. Dually licensed in social work and addiction counseling, she integrates CBT-based, skills-focused, and strengths-based approaches to promote high-quality, ethical care. Kelsey is committed to fostering a collaborative treatment culture centered on clinical excellence and client success.
Could EMDR Help You Heal from Trauma in Eatontown, NJ?
If past traumatic experiences are contributing to your mental health challenges or substance use, our trained EMDR clinicians at Advanced Health and Education in Eatontown, NJ can help. Call (844) 302-8605.
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