How many EMDR sessions will I need?
EMDR is an individual therapy typically delivered one to two times per week for an average of 6-12 sessions, although some people benefit from fewer, and some from more sessions.
In general, ‘the more isolated the traumatic memory being treated, the shorter the treatment tends to be. People with multiple traumas and/or complex histories of childhood abuse or neglect may require more extensive therapy, including substantial preparatory work in phase two of EMDR.
Studies relating to the number of sessions required have shown:
- 84-90% of single-trauma victims no longer have PTSD after only 3 sessions (lasting 90 minutes each)
- 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple trauma victims no longer were diagnosed with PTSD after only 6 sessions (lasting 50 minutes each)
- 77% of combat veterans were free of PTSD in 12 sessions
Please remember, these are not medical recommendations. Be sure to work with a professional to find the best methods for you. EMDR should always be delivered by properly trained therapists.
How effective is EMDR?
Research has shown that EMDR can be very effective, very quickly in treating PTSD and C-PTSD.
Read about some of the research that has been done in this area here .
What happens in an EMDR session?
Find out more about the different phases of EMDR treatment and how the sessions will differ as you progress.
Things to know before starting EMDR therapy
It’s important for people to go into EMDR therapy with an full understanding of what the treatment requires and entails.
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PTSD in children quickly and effectively treatable within hours
Here’s What You Need To Know Before Your First EMDR Therapy Session
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Treatments for PTSD
It is possible for PTSD to be successfully treated many years after the traumatic event occurred, which means it is never too late to seek help. For some, the first step may be watchful waiting, then exploring therapeutic options such as individual or group therapy – but the main treatment options in the UK are psychological treatments such as Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprogramming (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Traumatic events can be very difficult to come to terms with, but confronting and understanding your feelings and seeking professional help is often the only way of effectively treating PTSD. You can find out more in the links below, or here.