EMDR Therapy in Girona | Innovation and Scientific Evidence
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What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a scientifically validated therapeutic approach that facilitates the desensitization and reprocessing of traumatic memories. These memories remain stored in an unprocessed way in the brain, continuing to generate emotional and physical distress.
It is not simply about talking through what happened, but about working with how the brain stores and integrates the experience, allowing it to become part of the past without dominating the present.
How does EMDR work?
When we experience a traumatic event, certain parts of the nervous system become blocked, as if they were never able to fully process what happened. This can lead to flashbacks, anxiety, involuntary re-experiencing, and difficulties regulating emotions.
With EMDR, during guided sessions, the traumatic memory is processed while bilateral stimulation is applied (eye movements, alternating sounds, or taps). This stimulation helps the brain reprocess the memory in an adaptive way, reducing its emotional charge and intensity, and making nightmares or intrusive memories less vivid.
In addition, EMDR is combined with therapeutic resources such as emotional regulation techniques, trauma-focused CBT, and psychoeducation to ensure safety and stability before, during, and after the process.
When is EMDR recommended?
EMDR has proven effective in:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after accidents, abuse, losses, etc.
Anxiety disorders, phobias, and panic attacks.
Depression, especially when trauma is part of the history.
Chronic stress, burnout, or persistent emotional distress.
Complicated grief and loss.
Emotional difficulties rooted in childhood traumatic experiences.
What does the research say? Confirmed benefits of EMDR
Aspect studied | Key findings |
PTSD reduction | Meta-analysis of 26 randomized controlled trials with PTSD patients shows significant symptom reduction (effect size g = –0.662; 95% CI –0.887 to –0.436). PubMed |
Depression | EMDR significantly reduces depressive symptoms (Hedges’ g ≈ 0.75) compared to control groups such as “waitlist” or usual treatment. MDPI +1 |
Anxiety, phobias & somatic symptoms | Meta-analysis with 17 studies and 647 participants shows EMDR reduces anxiety (g = –0.71), phobias, panic attacks, and somatic symptoms with moderate to large effects. ScienceDirect |
Children & adolescents | Meta-analytic study with children with post-traumatic symptoms; medium effect size (d ≈ 0.56) post-treatment compared to no treatment or non-established treatments. PubMed +1 |
International guidelines | WHO recommends EMDR as one of the two first-line psychotherapies, alongside trauma-focused CBT, for children, adolescents, and adults with PTSD. emdr.com +2, EMDR International Association +2 |
Why EMDR at Centre de Psicologia Jaume Primer – Psychologists in Girona?
Accredited professionals with certified EMDR training and real clinical experience, providing safe and tailored treatments.
Continuous scientific updating, incorporating the latest international protocols, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews.
An integrative perspective: combining EMDR with CBT, psychoeducation, and emotional regulation techniques, adapting to each person’s needs and pace.
A safe therapeutic environment with emphasis on stabilization, self-regulation, and trust, so EMDR becomes not destabilizing but transformative.
Benefits you can expect
Significant reduction of flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts disrupting daily life.
Improved sleep quality and inner calm.
Greater ability to manage anxiety, tension, and somatic symptoms.
Emotional recovery: feeling more connected, with less guilt or shame, and greater self-esteem.
Integration of the past, reclaiming identity, and rebuilding relationships and life goals with more coherence.
Effects that are often maintained in the medium and long term, according to multiple studies.
What does a typical EMDR session at our center look like?
Initial assessment and stabilization: defining context, identifying traumatic memories, developing resources and emotional safety techniques.
Psychoeducation: understanding how PTSD and trauma mechanisms work.
Reprocessing with EMDR: working with the traumatic memory through bilateral stimulation (eye movements or other methods), following validated protocols.
Integration and follow-up: consolidating changes, processing emotions, supporting personal growth, and reinforcing values and relationships.
Is EMDR right for me?
You may benefit from EMDR if:
You constantly relive painful experiences that cause distress.
You feel trapped in the past, unable to move forward.
Anxiety, fear, guilt, shame, or sadness prevent you from enjoying the present.
You have tried “talk therapies” but some aspects of your distress remain.
If this resonates, EMDR may be an excellent option for you.
Starting your EMDR journey with us
Free and confidential initial consultation: to get to know you, listen to your case, and explain the process with no obligation.
We adapt to your pace, providing clarity and safety in every session.
Together we review your therapeutic goals and design a personalized treatment plan.
Centre de Psicologia Jaume Primer – Psychologists in Girona
Specialists in EMDR, with evidence, empathy, and real commitment to your recovery.
