EMDR Explained: how the brain reprocesses difficult memories
EMDR is a structured therapy that helps the brain process difficult memories so they feel less overwhelming. It works by helping the mind do what it naturally does during healthy emotional processing.
Free to try · Responses are private & encrypted
Related tools
What does the EMDR Explained Mini Course cover?
How the brain normally processes experiences, why some memories stay stuck and keep triggering reactions, what EMDR is and where it came from, what happens in a session, and the changes people commonly notice as a memory is processed.
Who is this EMDR Explained Mini Course for?
Helpful if you:
🤔 Have been recommended EMDR and want to know what it involves
😨 Are affected by a memory that still feels raw
🧠 Like to understand how a therapy works before starting
For therapists:
Send EMDR Explained to clients before beginning EMDR so the rationale and process are familiar. Their reflection on how they feel about the approach helps you address concerns before the first processing session. Fully HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Dr Harriet Mellotte
Clinical Psychologist & CBT Therapist, BABCP
“Offload is a fantastic resource for both clients and therapists. The world of CBT has been lacking an app which enables the sharing of CBT worksheets and homework tasks between clients and therapists, but Offload completely does this, making the service we offer more professional and the benefits to clients greater.”
Frequently asked questions
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a structured therapy developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s that helps the brain process distressing memories so they lose their emotional charge. It is recommended by NICE for post-traumatic stress disorder and is used for a range of trauma-related difficulties.
How does EMDR work?
You briefly bring a memory to mind while following back-and-forth stimulation, such as a moving light, alternating sounds or gentle tapping. This appears to help the brain do what it naturally does during healthy processing, so the memory becomes something from the past rather than something that still feels like it is happening now.
Does EMDR make you forget the memory?
No. The memory remains, but it stops triggering the same intensity of fear, shame or physical tension. People typically describe it afterwards as more distant and easier to think about. The goal is to change how the memory is stored, not to erase it.
Can my therapist assign this course?
Yes. EMDR-trained therapists on Offload can send this course before starting EMDR so the rationale and process are familiar, and your reflections help them address any concerns before the first processing session. Your responses are available for them to review beforehand. Fully HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Are you a therapist?
Assign this therapy tool and 200+ other interactive tools directly to your clients. Build personalised care plans, customise tools, and review client responses before sessions. HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Explore Offload for therapistsReferences
Shapiro, F. (2001). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures. American Psychiatric Association (2017). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of PTSD. NICE (2018). Post-traumatic stress disorder (NG116).
