EMDR therapy

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing, or EMDR, is a therapy used to work with traumatic memories and associated distress. During part of treatment, you attend to aspects of a memory while following side-to-side movements or receiving alternating stimulation such as taps. Assessment and preparation come before that work.

Remembering can be upsetting. Eye movements are the best-known part of EMDR, but don't describe the whole treatment or guarantee an outcome. Promises to erase a memory or resolve everything in a handful of appointments deserve questioning.

By questionnaire

You discuss your history, current difficulties, and ways to handle distress during treatment. If you agree to proceed, selected memories are worked on in stages, with pauses to describe what you notice. You can ask to stop. The overall length depends on your circumstances.

Not every session ends with relief. You may leave feeling tired or unsettled, so discuss how sessions will close and what support is available afterward. A desire for faster progress isn't a reason to skip preparation.

Look for a qualified mental health clinician with specific EMDR training. In Spain, Asociación EMDR España has a practitioner directory that distinguishes training levels. You can also ask your mental health service whether it offers the treatment.

Accreditation doesn't replace assessment or guarantee a good working relationship. Ask about relevant experience, readiness for memory work, and what happens if you feel overwhelmed. A video of eye movements doesn't provide that support.