EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a therapy designed to help people process and heal from trauma and PTSD. It involves recalling distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, to help the brain reprocess and reduce the emotional impact of the trauma. EMDR follows eight phases
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy involves guiding clients to focus on traumatic or distressing memories while using bilateral stimulation.
The therapy involves recalling the distressing memories alongside bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping and auditory stimulation. This technique helps the brain to process the memory and reduce the emotional distress associated with the memory.
Throughout therapy, clients report feelings increasingly better about their experiences and are less distressed by the memories.
Various types of bilateral stimulation are used during the EMDR therapy treatment – lateral eye movements, hand-tapping and audio stimulation are often used depending on the comfort of the client and therapist.
The 8 Phases Of EMDR
1. Patient History And Information Gathering
Your clinician will gather information about you and your past to see if EMDR will be beneficial for you. This session involves which events you would like to focus on
2. Preparation And Education
You will be provided psychoeducation on what EMDR is and why it is used. Additionally, you will be informed of what it involves and what you can expect in your sessions. This session will also include tools to make you feel safe and comfortable
3. Assessment
This part of the process is where your healthcare provider helps you identify themes and specific memories that you may want to work on during reprocessing. This includes identifying the negative beliefs and memories of the trauma. This can include thoughts, physical sensations and more.
4. Desensitisation And Reprocessing
In this session, your clinician will help activate your traumatic memory by helping you identify 1+ specific negative thoughts, feelings, images and body sensations. They will help you identify how you feel and provide insight
5. Installation
Your clinician will make you focus on the positive belief you want to build in as you process the memory.
6. Body Scan
This session involves how your body feels when you think about the negative memory(s). As you go through the sessions, you should see improvements in these sensations
7. Closure And Stabilisation
This phase is targeted as a bridge between the sessions. Your clinician will help you understand what you can expect between your appointments. This can include finding ways to stabilise yourself, such as writing down any disturbing thoughts to bring to your next session to discuss.
8. Reevaluation And Continuing Care
This is the final phase of EMDR therapy. It involves going through your progress and how you feel after, which also helps determine if you need more sessions.
What Conditions And Problems Does EMDR Treat?
1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
EMDR therapy for PTSD was initially used primarily for this presentation and is particularly effective for single-incident and complex PTSD, often reducing symptoms within fewer sessions compared to traditional talk therapy.2. Anxiety Disorders
Faretta (2013) found that EMDR significantly reduced panic attacks and anxiety symptoms, and other studies have found that EMDR is effective for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, especially if it is triggered by underlying distressing memories.3. Depression
Hofmann et al. (2014) has found that the use of EMDR can be helpful when treating depression that results from a traumatic incident.4. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Like with depression, Marsden et al. (2018) found that EMDR can be effective when processing distressing memories and beliefs underlying obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.5. Phobias and Specific Fears
EMDR can be used to address specific phobias (e.g., fear of heights or animals) by reprocessing memories associated with those fears and reducing sensitivity to triggers.6. Addiction and Substance
EMDR may help in treating addiction when used to process the underlying traumatic memories which trigger the addictive behaviours (Hase et al. (2008).7. Eating Disorders
Ginzburg et al. (2020) found that the symptoms of Eating Disorders can be improved when EMDR is used to process traumatic memories that trigger dysfunctional beliefs and disordered eating.8. Chronic Pain and Somatic Disorders
Grant and Threlfo (2002) found that the use of EMDR can lead to the alleviation of chronic pain when the pain is related to emotional trauma or stress.9. Complicated Grief
Sprang (2001) found that EMDR can be an effective form of treatment when used in clients who are experiencing complicated grief by helping them process grief-related memories and feelings, helping them move toward acceptance and reducing intense or prolonged grief responses.10. Sleep Disturbances and Nightmares
Many individuals who have experienced trauma report sleep disturbances and nightmares. Raboni et al. (2006) found that using EMDR can reduce such difficulties by working through and processing traumatic memories.When To Seek Help
EMDR therapy has been found to be effective in helping to alleviate the symptoms associated with:
- A traumatic incident
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Chronic pain
- PTSD
EMDR can help people experience relief from the distress created by their traumatic memories, even within a few sessions (Chen et al. (2014), Shapiro (1989), van der Kolk et al. (2007).
It appears to be particularly effective when working with single-event traumas, leading to faster symptom reduction with fewer therapy sessions needed than traditional forms of therapy.
Other studies (van der Kolk et al. (2007)) showed that EMDR was effective in significantly reducing PTSD symptoms, with lower dropout rates compared to exposure-based therapies, suggesting that EMDR might be more tolerable for some clients who experience significant distress when recalling their memories.
How Can Us Help You?
Experienced Therapists
Our processes and quality assurance is led by Dr Emma Waddington, Senior Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Us Therapy, with over 20+ years of experience in helping individuals in Singapore.
Holistic & Personalised Approach
Our clinicians draw from various therapeutic models to create a holistic approach. At Us, we have seen hundreds of clients and we recognise that each individual is unique. Our approach is tailored to you but always includes customised treatment plans and integrative techniques.
Thorough Assessment
At Us, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive assessment processes. We will undergo a thorough assessment process with you in your first sessions before we come up with a plan for your therapy.
What To Expect In An EMDR Session
Our therapists will support you and your partner through the following process:
For a single disturbing event or memory, it is typically suggested to partake in 3-6 sessions. More complex or longer-term traumas may take 8-12 sessions (or sometimes more). Sessions usually last between 60-90 minutes.
- Patient history and information gathering
- Preparation and education
- Assessment
- Desensitisation and reprocessing
- Installation
- Body scan
- Closure and stabilisation
- Reevaluation and continuing care
Initial Consultation – A Space to Be Heard
The first session is all about getting to know you. It is a conversation—one where you can share what is been on your mind, what has been feeling difficult, and what you would like support with. Your therapist will ask questions about your background, experiences, and goals, but there is no pressure to answer any questions—just a safe space to begin.
Questionnaires & Onboarding Surveys – Understanding the Full Picture
To help tailor therapy to your needs, you may be asked to fill out some brief questionnaires before or after your first session. These can give insight into things like mood, stress levels, relationship patterns, or coping strategies. They are not tests—just tools to help your therapist understand how best to support you.
Individual Therapy Sessions – Your Journey at Your Own Pace
Each session is a step forward in your journey. Therapy is not just about talking—it is about discovering new ways to navigate life’s challenges, make sense of emotions, and feel like you are getting the most out of your life. Depending on your needs, sessions may focus on:
- Exploring patterns of thought and behavior
- Understanding past experiences and their impact on the present
- Developing practical coping tools
- Strengthening emotional resilience
Feedback Sessions – Reflecting and Adjusting
After the first few sessions (or after assessments), a feedback session provides space to reflect on how therapy is going. This is a chance to talk about what has been helpful, what you would like more of, and how therapy can continue to best serve you.
Intervention – The Heart of Therapy
Intervention is where meaningful change happens. Every therapy journey is unique, and the approach will be shaped around what works best for you. Some common approaches include:
🌱 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helping to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns, reduce anxiety, and develop healthier ways to cope and new patterns of behaviour.
🧠 Schema Therapy – Deep, transformational work to uncover long-standing patterns that might be keeping you stuck, often rooted in early life experiences.
💙 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Learning to handle difficult emotions with self-compassion and move towards what truly matters in life.
🌊 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – A powerful approach for healing trauma and distressing memories, helping the brain reprocess them in a way that feels less overwhelming.
🧘 Mindfulness-Based Approaches – Building self-awareness, grounding techniques, and ways to manage stress and emotions with greater ease.
Therapy Approaches
The best type of therapy for men often depends on individual needs and preferences. Common approaches include:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Focuses on understanding and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. Together with your therapist you will uncover your unhelpful thinking styles and find more workable and effective ways of being that are aligned with your values and the life you want to live.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Delves into past experiences and unconscious processes to understand present challenges. Findings the links between early experiences and current challenges can help to make sense of unhelpful behavioural patterns.
Fees
Individual Counselling Rates
Clinician type
Fees and Duration
Clinic Founder
$290
Principal Psychologist
$290
Senior Clinical Psychologist
$262
Educational Psychologist
$262
Clinical Psychologist
$236
Counsellor
$170
Expressive Arts Therapist
$170
Associate Psychologist
$130
Phone calls / Emails
Clinicians rate pro-rata (10 Mins)
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EMDR scientifically supported?
Yes, EMDR is scientifically supported. EMDR is an evidence-based therapeutic modality and is recognised by organisations like the APA (American Psychological Association), WHO (World Health Organisation), and the Department of Veterans Affairs as effective for trauma and PTSD.
Do I have to talk about the trauma in detail?
It is not needed. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require detailed verbal descriptions and details of the traumatic event. You must bring the memory to mind while doing the bilateral stimulation.
Do I need to believe in EMDR for it to work?
Not necessarily. EMDR therapy is a structured, evidence-based approach that often works regardless of whether someone is sceptical.
