(Author: Calum Anderson; published on 28th Oktober 2026 in German; translation with the help of Claude.ai)
Recently, a client who had felt vulnerable, lost and weak around other people since kindergarten told me that these feelings had not returned since our EMDR session several weeks earlier. I am pleased and, once again, impressed by this method. I enjoy working with EMDR because it can often help people let go of themes that have burdened them for a long time, sometimes surprisingly quickly. Profound change is possible although not guaranteed of course since every person and every process is different.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a psychotherapy approach developed by Francine Shapiro. It has proven especially helpful when distressing or traumatic experiences continue to have an effect today. Perhaps you know this: certain situations, reactions or feelings are disproportionately intense in the here and now, even though you “actually know” that there is no acute danger.
How does it work?
EMDR is based on the assumption that our brain normally processes experiences well and integrates them into helpful memory networks. Sometimes this fails, especially with overwhelming or shocking experiences. These memories then remain emotionally very active and can show up as fears, intense feelings, physical reactions or recurring relationship patterns.
In such moments, one part of us may know that a situation is neither dangerous nor particularly significant, while another part reacts strongly. This inner discrepancy can be very distressing.
This is exactly where EMDR comes in. While distressing images, thoughts, feelings or body sensations are gently held in focus, bilateral stimulation is used, such as guided eye movements, alternating taps or sounds. The aim is to set blocked processing in motion again, so that stuck memories can reorganize and settle.
Many people describe EMDR as if the brain simply keeps working on its own. Processes unfold that you don’t have to plan or control consciously. This can open up new perspectives and often lead to lasting changes in emotional reactions.
When is EMDR used?
EMDR is used not only in trauma therapy but also for symptoms of anxiety and depression, and for issues around self-worth and relationships. Where early experiences of rejection or attachment are still felt today, this approach allows very concrete work on the underlying experiences.
An example: if small moments of distance in a partnership immediately trigger intense fear of loss, old threat networks may be activated. They lead to impulsive or clinging reactions that try to force closeness. EMDR offers a way to process the underlying memories so that your reactions in the here and now can become freer and more fitting.
My approach
It is important that EMDR is carefully prepared and embedded in an overall therapy that focuses not only on distressing experiences but also on strengthening stability and resources. I use the classic EMDR protocols that go back to Francine Shapiro’s work, as well as the methods of Laurel Parnell’s Attachment-Focused EMDR, which have proven helpful for people whose early attachment patterns limit them in their current relationships. The combination of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and EMDR in particular can set a great deal in motion internally and lead to meaningful, positive change. To find out more, here are some useful videos that explain EMDR:
The founder of the method explains EMDR in this German-speaking video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTyZWRCUhRQ
In this English-speaking video, some of the basics of EMDR are explained with animation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsh3b3pQBrI
Interested in EMDR?
If you are interested in EMDR with me, please get in touch. I am happy to answer any questions you may have. If you are already in therapy with me, simply mention it in our next session.
