How EMDR Therapy Can Help with Anxiety and PTSD

• EMDR therapy for anxiety can help process “stuck” memories that keep your nervous system on high alert

• EMDR therapy for PTSD is recommended by national and international health bodies

• Sessions are structured, collaborative and carefully paced

• The aim is not to forget what happened, but to feel less overwhelmed by it

• Many people begin to notice meaningful shifts within a matter of weeks

Anxiety and PTSD are normal responses to feeling under threat. 

When something threatening, distressing or traumatic happens, the brain can struggle to process it in the usual way. Instead of being stored as something in the past, the memory can remain close to the surface. It can feel current. Easily triggered. Leaving you feeling anxious, on edge, or flooded by intrusive thoughts and physical sensations.

EMDR therapy for trauma works by helping the brain process these experiences safely and in a contained way, so they begin to feel like they belong in the past rather than the present.

What Is EMDR Therapy and How Does It Work?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is an evidence-based therapy originally developed for PTSD and is now widely recognised as an effective treatment for a range of difficulties linked to traumatic or distressing experiences.

I often describe EMDR as helping the brain “file away” memories that feel stuck. When something overwhelms us, the brain’s natural adaptive information processing system can become disrupted. The memory does not get properly date-stamped and stored.

Using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, we gently activate this natural processing system again. Over time, the memory begins to feel more distant and less emotionally charged. You don’t forget what happened, but it no longer feels as raw or as intrusive.

Preparation is always central to my work. Before any reprocessing begins, we focus on stabilisation and coping strategies. This helps you feel safe, supported and confident. EMDR is always paced carefully and done collaboratively. We go at a speed that feels manageable for you.

EMDR Therapy for Anxiety and PTSD

Although EMDR therapy for PTSD is perhaps what it is most known for, it can also be very effective for long-standing anxiety, panic, phobias, stress and intrusive thoughts.

Often, anxiety is rooted in earlier experiences that may not immediately seem ‘traumatic’, but which have shaped how your nervous system responds. EMDR can help reprocess these experiences so that your system no longer reacts as if the threat is still present.

People often describe feeling calmer, more grounded and less reactive. The hope, for many, is quite simple. To feel steady again. To feel more in control of their responses rather than overwhelmed by them.

If you would like to understand more about how I work, you can visit my EMDR page.Information about EMDR therapy cost is available on my fees page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you cry during EMDR?

Some people do. EMDR can bring up emotions linked to past experiences. Sessions are structured and paced carefully so that you feel supported and contained throughout.

What are the 8 stages of EMDR?

EMDR follows eight structured phases: history taking, preparation, assessment, reprocessing, installation, body scan, closure and re-evaluation. This structure helps ensure the therapy feels safe and contained.

Do you speak during EMDR?

Yes. Between sets of bilateral stimulation, you share what you notice. It is a collaborative process and I guide you throughout.

How many EMDR therapy sessions will I need?

This varies depending on your history and goals. Some memories process relatively quickly, others require more time and preparation. We review progress together regularly and adjust as needed.

Is EMDR therapy suitable for long-term anxiety?

Often, yes. When anxiety is linked to earlier experiences or patterns that have become “stuck”, EMDR can help process these roots and reduce the intensity of ongoing symptoms.

If this resonates with you and you would like to explore whether EMDR might help, you’re welcome to get in touch for a free 15-minute call to discuss your needs.