Introduction to EMDR – What is it and is it worth exploring with Dr Marilyn Tew (May 2025)

Fourteen therapists from across the south, attended the ‘Introduction to Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR)’ led by Dr Marilyn Tew, which did not disappoint! 

After making a drink of our choosing (Wendy provides an impressive selection of teas and coffees!) and helping ourselves to a selection of tasty treats, fruit and pastries, we started off the day with Marilyn taking us through a brief history of EMDR. 

How did EMDR evolve?

We learnt that EMDR was originally invented by Francine Shapiro in 1987.  After experiencing an incident at that time, Francine noticed that whilst taking a walk in the park, her eye movements appeared to decrease the negative emotion associated with her upsetting memories. Recognising the importance of her findings, she went on to conduct her research and studies over the forthcoming years to develop EMDR as a therapy for overcoming anxiety, stress and trauma. EMDR has been refined and broadened over the years; to become a therapy used with not only adults but children and young people too and it continues to evolve at pace.

What is Trauma and how does our body respond?

Marilyn explained that Trauma is the result of an event that overwhelms our ability to cope or understand what is happening to us. When this happens, the experience is stored in our memory in a ‘raw’ state such as the smells, sensations, tastes, pictures, sounds and emotions, as they all occurred at that time. Unfortunately, these fragments of memories can become quite isolated from our other memories. 

In trauma, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is fired in order to return us to safety by initiating our flight, fight or freeze responses. The parasympathetic nervous system is ‘hijacked’ in that the SNS takes over the large muscles, the eyes, the digestive system, the temperature control etc. to galvanize the body for survival activity.

Our neo-cortex goes ‘off-line’ and rational thinking ceases. The memory is ‘frozen’ with all its associated sensory data and there are no links to memory networks. Unlike memories, which when thought about we understand relate to events in the past, trauma is experienced as if it was happening again, today.

These traumatic memories can be triggered completely out of the blue and without warning when someone experiences events resembling that of the original. The feelings of being out of control can accompany what appear to be totally inexplicable and highly disturbing symptoms.

What is EMDR?

Marilyn explained that EMDR works with a client’s implicit memories and how that traumatic experience has affected them, regardless of the nature of the traumatic event itself. It does this by bringing the trauma into the working memory so that it can change/create a new narrative to help the brain process and ultimately make some sense of what happened to them.

EMDR takes account of the body and its sensations, behavioural responses, negative cognition and the sensory information and it processes from the experience itself upwards towards our cognition.  

Marilyn joked that “EMDR is much more than finger following” explaining that this is what many associate EMDR to be, and whilst it does take place in one of eight phases which forms part of a EMDR Standard Protocol, EMDR involves much more, which we would go on to learn about later in the day.

What can you use EMDR with?

Marilyn offered that it might be easier to ask the question “what can’t you use EMDR with?!” because whilst most people are aware of EMDR being used with clients who have experienced trauma and PTSD, EMDR can also be used for:

• Attachment issues
• Bullying
• Surgical trauma
• Accidents (road, work related etc)
• Bereavement
• Peri-natal issues
• Pain disorders
• Panic attacks
• Phobias
• Substance (e.g. drugs) & behavioural (e.g. sexual) addictions 
• Dissociative disorders 
• War related experiences 
• Body image disorders 
• Performance anxiety

Marilyn also advised that EMDR can also be used if a client does not wish to disclose any details relating to the issue that they have brought to therapy. This provides the client with autonomy over what they wish to share, whilst not hampering their access to the therapy itself.

EMDR Standard Protocol

Marilyn explained that an EMDR Protocol provides a structured approach to conducting EMDR therapy. She provided an insightful overview of the eight phases of an EMDR Standard Protocol and the phases are as follows:

1. History taking
2. Preparation / Stabilization 
3. Assessment
4. Desensitization
5. Installation 
6. Body Scan
7. Closure
8. Re-evaluation

Whilst explaining phase 2 (preparation and stabilization) Marilyn talked the group through an exercise to create our own safe space in our mind, using our imagination, similar to that which she would do with a client at this point in their EMDR therapy. You could have heard a pin drop during this time in the room – I feel everyone benefited from this comforting exercise.

Whilst highlighting the process of installation in phase 5, Marilyn explained that whilst eye movement is seen as the “gold standard” in EMDR, there are many bi-lateral modalities that have since been introduced which receive similar results such as: the use of buzzers in both hands, tapping of knees, music played into a left ear and then the right, walking and even marching!

We then got to witness an enthralling and powerful demonstration of EMDR in action. We had the fortunate opportunity of being able to ask questions to Marilyn and the volunteer who took part in the demonstration, to not only understand what had taken place but how it had felt for the person experiencing it. This was a truly fascinating end to the day which the group thoroughly enjoyed.

Choosing the most appropriate EMDR training provider 

Marilyn provided thorough information and useful links relating to EMDR training, course duration, content, workload and accreditation. She reminded everyone of the importance of choosing a trainer that is accredited by EMDR Europe, especially if a therapist wants to pursue accreditation or a supervisor role in the future, as this accreditation will be required.

A thoroughly brilliant CPD event!

Marilyn’s wonderful insights into working with EMDR and her upbeat energy and humility meant that the day appeared to pass by in a flash. The group had lots of food for thought to takeaway and consider, such as clients who could benefit from EMDR or next steps in EMDR training. 

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Average feedback scores from our event:

Organisation of event: 4.9 out of 5

Speaker: 5 out of 5

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Feedback from our event:

“The live demonstration was surprisingly powerful and enlightening. The great organisation of the event and great speaker exceeded my expectations” – Melanie

“Excellent. Great speaker – very professional and inspiring, generous and open. The venue was comfortable with direct access outside and quiet” – Carol, Cirencester

“I particularly enjoyed the combination of theory and practical demo and the interactive nature of the event. Marilyn was excellent – so real and down to earth” – Angela, Basingstoke

“Brilliant – very well organised and a fantastic speaker who was very engaging with a live demo, interactions, Q&A and discussions” – Gilly

“A good taster to EMDR and Marilyn has a great manner in delivery of content” – anonymous