Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) took the trauma-therapy world by surprise when Dr Francine Shapiro introduced it in the late 1980s. Three decades on, the World Health Organization and NICE both endorse it for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It is now used today as an approach to a variety of conditions, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). But, can this memory-processing approach lessen the effects of OCD? In this blog, we will unpack how EMDR therapy works, why clinicians use it for OCD, what the research actually shows, and how you might decide whether it warrants a place in your own treatment plan.
A Quick Refresh: What Exactly Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy is an eight-phase, highly structured psychotherapy that pairs brief imaginal exposures to distressing memories with bilateral stimulation. This typically appears as rapid side-to-side eye-movements, alternating taps or back-and-forth tones through headphones. It’s believed that bilateral stimulation appears to mimic certain features of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, nudging the brain to file the memory away in its proper place.
During these phases, the client may bring to mind a troubling image, a negative belief (for example, “I’m in danger”), and the body sensations that accompany these thoughts. Whilst holding that cluster in mind, they track the therapist’s fingers or a moving light bar. After each set of movements, they report what has changed and the process repeats until the memory feels emotionally neutral and a more helpful belief (say, “I can handle this”) sticks.
People do sometimes confuse EMDR with hypnosis, but this is not the case. In EMDR sessions, you remain fully awake, in control and able to stop at any point. Sessions tend to last 60–90 minutes, and a complete course might span anything from six sessions for a single traumatic incident, to several dozen for more complex treatments. It all depends on the person and what they want to get out of therapy.
What is OCD and Which Treatments Can Help?
OCD is a condition where intrusive, distressing thoughts or images (obsessions) drive someone to repeat particular behaviours or mental rituals (compulsions) to ease their anxiety. It can be caused by a variety of factors, whether linking back to experiences in formative years, growing up in an environment with an anxious parent or guardian, or other factors.
Treatment is most effective when it is tailored to the individual, and today clinicians can draw on a wide range of evidence-based treatments:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) – Gradually confronting feared thoughts, objects or situations while resisting the usual ritual, so anxiety can subside naturally.
- Schema Therapy – Blends CBT techniques with work on early life patterns (“schemas”) that may keep the obsession-compulsion cycle alive, helping clients meet unmet emotional needs in healthier ways.
- Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) – Originally developed for trauma, EMDR can target stuck, distress-laden memories that feed obsessions, using bilateral stimulation to promote adaptive reprocessing.
- Medication – Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often seen in first-line pharmacological treatments.
- Third-Wave Approaches – Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness training cultivate a more flexible, “watch-the-thoughts-pass” stance, reducing entanglement with obsessive content.
Most people improve with one or a combination of these therapies, though progress can feel arduous at times. Knowing that a diverse toolkit exists – and that treatment can be adjusted as needs change – often provides a powerful dose of hope in itself.
What Does the Research Say About EMDR for OCD?
Although the evidence base is still modest, it is growing, and the signals are encouraging. A study from Marsden et al., 2018 (UK)* evaluated EMDR as a treatment for OCD, by comparison to CBT based on exposure and response prevention. The study of 55 adults found that ‘EMDR and CBT had comparable completion rates and clinical outcomes’, where both groups showed ‘sizeable, equivalent drops’ [in their symptoms].
These studies often help inform not only clinicians – but also the wider public – on the efficacy and effectiveness of new treatments for certain conditions. And, although there’s less research between this condition and treatment, research and anecdotal evidence shows promising signs on the efficacy of EMDR therapy for OCD.
Five Reasons EMDR Might Help with OCD
- Trauma-Linked Onset – Some people trace their OCD back to a distressing event that can follow them around for years. EMDR therapy can directly process that memory to ease anxieties.
- Intrusive Imagery – Many obsessions appear as vivid, catastrophic “flash-forwards”, and EMDR is specifically designed to neutralise distressing images.
- Body-Focused Compulsions – Health anxiety themes often sit atop unresolved medical trauma, and the body-scan element of EMDR targets residual somatic tension to reduce symptoms.
- Early Attachment Wounds – Rigid perfectionism and hyper-responsibility can spring from childhood neglect or always feeling like your friends always leave you. Attachment-focused EMDR protocols address those roots.
- Future-Template Work – Later EMDR phases rehearse healthier responses to triggers, akin to imaginal ERP, although these are usually more brief and less overwhelming.
Reducing OCD Symptoms Through EMDR
EMDR may work in reducing OCD depending on what is causing it. For example, if your OCD is heavily influenced by traumatic memories, it may be a beneficial treatment for you, but different approaches may be better for other reasons why you have OCD. When treatment successful, clients report the following:
- A reduction in compulsions or anxiety symptoms
- Fewer or less severe emotional triggers
- A better sense of calm and ease for everyday occurrences
- Greater ability to challenge any negative thought patterns
In some cases, EMDR therapy not only reduces the intensity of past memories, but it can also enhance resilience. EMDR helps clients move forward without being held in place by old patterns of fear or avoidance behaviours.
Frequently Asked Questions for EMDR Therapy
Will EMDR Cure My OCD?
Whilst there is no universal ‘cure’, EMDR has helped some people cut out their obsessions and compulsions dramatically, especially when paired with ERP.
How Many EMDR Sessions Will I Need?
Single-incident traumas sometimes resolve in 6–12 sessions; multiple memories or complex histories naturally take longer. At The Chelsea Psychology Clinic, our clinicians review progress to keep you informed throughout your treatment.
Can I Do EMDR On My Own?
Self-help books and apps exist, but for OCD, professional guidance is strongly advised to keep work safe and targeted.
Is EMDR an Effective Treatment for Anxiety?
Yes. We have written a blog answering ‘Is EMDR an Effective Treatment for Anxiety?,’ where we detail how this treatment can alleviate symptoms of anxiety.
Final Thoughts
EMDR therapy is no longer a fringe curiosity. While the science for OCD remains in its adolescence, early findings are heartening and clinical experience even more so. If you’ve hit a plateau with ERP or dread the thought of another exposure session, it may be worth discussing EMDR with our team to explore whether this treatment is right for you.
As always, the best treatment is the one that works for you – grounded in evidence, guided by expertise and respectful of your concerns. Contact us today to find out more about our treatment options for OCD. We offer personalised, evidence-based care tailored to your needs, so you can move forward with confidence.
*Marsden Z, Lovell K, Blore D, Ali S, Delgadillo J. A randomized controlled trial comparing EMDR and CBT for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2018 Jan;25(1):e10-e18. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2120. Epub 2017 Jul 28. PMID: 28752580.
