Initially developed in 1987, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is used to treat various mental health conditions, especially those related to trauma. Applicable for both men and women who struggle with disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and phobias, EMDR has shown a high success rate that can drastically lower undesirable symptoms. However, many wonder, how long does EMDR take before you feel its effects?

In this article we’ll elaborate on the healing process related to EMDR therapy and its length. Once you’ve grasped the basics and understood the therapy’s effects, we’ll explain both the therapy time frame and session duration.

Continue reading to discover how many sessions does EMDR therapy take and its effects on complex trauma!

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What Is EMDR Therapy?

Before we elaborate on how long does EMDR last, we first want to explain what Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is. Considered a form of psychotherapy, EMDR was first created in 1987 as a way to combat traumatic memories associated with PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder).

The process itself is quite straightforward, where the patient undergoes bilateral stimulation (left and right repetitive eye movements) while simultaneously focusing on specific traumatic events in the past. If a patient finds the eye movements uncomfortable or distracting, they may be introduced to bilateral tappers to provide bilateral stimulation by vibrating alternately in each hand.

The main goal of this stimulation is to desensitize the patient from the overbearing emotions and reprocess them to reduce their impact. Even though it's a fairly new treatment, EMDR is recommended by numerous medical and government bodies, including the WHO (World Health Organization), the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Psychological Association.

How Long is EMDR Therapy?

After explaining the basics behind this psychotherapy, you may be wondering how long does EMDR take? First, we want to emphasize that the healing process may vary from patient to patient. In general, the more complex trauma the patient has, the longer the EMDR therapy is.

The treatment itself consists of 8 phases, known as the following:

• Gathering information about the patient’s history
• Educating the patient and planning the treatment
• Assessment
• Desensitization and reprocessing
• Installation
• Body scan
• Closure

If you’re wondering how many sessions does EMDR therapy take, the first two phases can take only a single session, while the others vary depending on the patient’s condition. For a single traumatic event, it takes around 3 to 6 sessions for the patient to feel relief. However, long-term complex trauma can take up to 12 sessions or more before the patient feels the effects.

Other factors that may influence the length of the EMDR therapy are the frequency of the sessions, the patient’s history, and their responsiveness to the treatment. The timeframe can vary from a few weeks to more than a year, depending on the patient’s unique circumstances.

How long does an EMDR Session Last?

The duration of each session is determined by the trained therapist based on the patient’s readiness and responsiveness. In general, a single EMDR therapy session lasts between 60 to 90 minutes. In some cases, though, therapists may voluntarily lengthen or shorten the time based on the patient’s needs.

For those experiencing severe cases of trauma, there are intensive EMDR programs that provide longer sessions to accelerate the healing process. Unlike the traditional EMDR sessions that are scheduled for several weeks, this treatment plan involves multiple prolonged sessions over a condensed timeframe. The sessions can last from 2 to 6 hours and are usually conducted throughout several days in a row, with breaks included as necessary.

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Conclusion

So, how long does EMDR take? After reading this article, we want to emphasize once again that each individual healing process can vary depending on the patient’s unique circumstances. While there are 8 key phases in the treatment, the trained therapist should always follow a pace that the patient is comfortable with. While one-time traumas may only take 3 to 6 sessions to alleviate emotional burdens, complex trauma may take up to a year or more.

As for the EMDR therapy session itself, it generally lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the patient’s responsiveness. For intensive EMDR programs, the sessions can have a duration from 2 to 6 hours over the course of consecutive days. Lastly, if you're considering advanced tools for such therapy, NeuroTek offers innovative devices that can help contribute to the treatment process for faster and more efficient results.