What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a well-established therapy for trauma and distressing life experiences. It works by supporting the brain’s natural capacity to process and integrate experiences that were overwhelming at the time they occurred.

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When something happens that exceeds our capacity to cope — whether a single event or repeated relational experiences — the nervous system can remain on high alert. Memories may feel intrusive, emotions disproportionate, or reactions difficult to control, even long after the event has passed.

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EMDR helps reduce this ongoing activation. Rather than analysing the past, it focuses on how experiences are held in the body and nervous system, allowing them to be processed in a way that feels safer and more complete.

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Who EMDR may support

EMDR can be helpful if you are:

• experiencing ongoing effects of trauma or adverse experiences

• living with anxiety, panic, or persistent emotional reactivity

• noticing strong responses to triggers you can’t easily explain

• carrying distressing memories that feel unresolved or intrusive

• struggling with shame, self-doubt, or negative core beliefs

• feeling stuck despite insight or previous therapy

You do not need to recount your experiences in detail. EMDR is designed to work without prolonged retelling or reliving of traumatic events.

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What EMDR can help with

EMDR is commonly used to support people experiencing:

• post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and complex trauma

• childhood or developmental trauma

• anxiety, panic, and phobias

• grief and unresolved loss

• distress linked to medical procedures or accidents

• long-standing patterns shaped by past experiences

• memories that continue to hold emotional charge

This includes experiences that may not appear “traumatic” on the surface but have left a lasting imprint — moments of fear, humiliation, abandonment, or emotional injury.

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How EMDR works in practice

EMDR follows a structured, eight-phase process that prioritises safety and preparation before any trauma processing begins.

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In sessions, you and your therapist identify a memory, pattern, or theme to work with. While gently holding this in mind, bilateral stimulation is used — such as guided eye movements or tactile tapping — to support the brain’s natural processing.

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As this occurs, the nervous system often settles, emotional intensity reduces, and new perspectives or sensations emerge without force. Many people describe a sense of things “shifting” rather than being talked through.

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You remain present, in control, and able to pause or stop at any time.

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Why EMDR is effective

EMDR is recognised internationally as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD and is supported by a substantial body of clinical research. It is endorsed by organisations including the World Health Organization and leading psychological associations.

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In practice, its effectiveness lies not only in the method itself, but in how it is offered — with careful pacing, trust, and respect for your readiness.

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Our approach to EMDR at Zanti

EMDR at Zanti is offered within a grounded, relational therapeutic framework. We prioritise:

• preparation and stabilisation before trauma processing

• clear consent and collaboration at every stage

• respect for your nervous system and personal boundaries

• integration of insights into everyday life

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EMDR is not rushed, and it is not a shortcut. It is a structured process that unfolds over time, guided by your capacity and needs.

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Beginning EMDR therapy

You don’t need to be “ready to face everything” to begin.
You only need enough steadiness to take the next step.

If EMDR feels like it may be right for you, we can talk together about whether it’s an appropriate fit and how to proceed in a way that feels safe and manageable.

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You don’t have to relive the past to move forward.

You don’t have to do this alone.