Quick answer: EMDR is a structured trauma therapy in which you recall a distressing memory while the therapist guides a form of bilateral stimulation, usually eye movements. It is delivered in eight phases and it is not open-ended talking. It is used mainly for post-traumatic stress, and for people living abroad the practical questions are which language to process in and whether the therapist is properly trained in the method.
Therapsy is a multilingual psychotherapy service in Italy that connects expats, international students and Italians with licensed therapists in their own language, online across the country and in person in 24 Italian cities.
Key takeaways
- EMDR is a protocol, not a conversation style: eight phases, with preparation before any memory is touched.
- It has been tested in randomised trials, and a meta-analysis has examined both immediate and follow-up effects in adults with PTSD.
- You do not have to narrate the event in detail, which is why some people tolerate EMDR when they could not tolerate telling the story.
- Trauma is not only war or assault: a medical event, a sudden loss, an accident or a prolonged period of fear all qualify.
- Language matters here more than in most therapies, because the memory is usually encoded in the language you lived it in.
- Therapsy works in 14 languages, with a free first conversation and a reply within 12 hours.
What is EMDR?
What happens in a session?
You bring a specific memory to mind with the image, the belief attached to it and the body sensation, while the therapist guides sets of bilateral stimulation, most often side-to-side eye movements, sometimes taps or sounds. Between sets you report briefly what came up. The therapist does not ask you to tell the story in detail, and you stay in control of the pace.
What are the eight phases?
History and planning; preparation and stabilisation; assessment of the target memory; desensitisation; installation of a more adaptive belief; a body scan; closure at the end of each session; and re-evaluation at the start of the next. The first two phases are not a formality. Work on the memory itself begins only when you have reliable ways to stop and settle.
Does it work?
It has been studied in randomised controlled trials, and a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials examined the immediate and follow-up effects of EMDR therapy for adults with post-traumatic stress disorder. As with any treatment, an individual result depends on the case and on the clinician, which is what the assessment is for.
Who is EMDR for?
What does it treat?
Its main indication is post-traumatic stress: intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance of reminders. It is also used with single distressing events that continue to intrude, and as part of broader work when a specific memory keeps re-emerging inside another problem.
Does it have to be a “big” trauma?
No, and this is the most common misunderstanding. A difficult birth, an accident, a frightening diagnosis, a sudden bereavement, months of living under threat, or a humiliating event that keeps replaying can all be targets. The criterion is whether the memory is still active, not whether it sounds serious enough to mention.
When is it not the right approach, or not yet?
When there is no stability to work from: active crisis, uncontrolled substance use, or a current situation that is still dangerous. Preparation then comes first, which can take time and is not wasted. A clinician who proposes EMDR before assessing this is moving too fast.
What do expats need to know specifically?
Which language should you process in?
Usually the language in which the memory was lived. EMDR works with the image, the belief and the body sensation rather than with narrative, but the belief is verbal, and a belief translated into a second language is often not quite the same belief. If the event happened in your first language, that is a strong argument for working in it.
What if the trauma is the migration itself?
For some people it is: a departure under pressure, a journey, a separation from family, or an experience on arrival. Treating that is ordinary clinical work, and it is one of the reasons a therapist who understands migration is worth more than a therapist who merely speaks the language.
Can EMDR be done online?
It is delivered online in practice, with the bilateral stimulation adapted to the screen. Whether it is appropriate for you depends on stability, on having a private space where you will not be interrupted, and on the therapist’s judgement. Discuss it in the first conversation rather than assuming it either way.
How do you find EMDR in Italy?
What should you check?
Two things. That the professional is registered with the Ordine degli Psicologi, which is a public register you can verify, and that they have specific EMDR training rather than a passing familiarity with it. Ask both questions directly; they are normal questions and a trained clinician will answer them without friction.
How long does it take?
A single recent event can resolve in a small number of sessions. Repeated or long-standing trauma takes longer, and the preparation phase is a real part of the time. Ask for an expectation after the assessment, and for a point at which you review it together.
What does it cost?
At Therapsy individual sessions start from EUR 70, with the same fee online and in person, and a psychiatric consultation from EUR 110 where medication is part of the picture; the pricing page lists the rest. Psychological care is generally deductible as a health expense in the Italian tax return, so keep the invoices.
How do you start?
At Therapsy the first conversation is free and happens with the Clinical Director, who proposes a therapist and explains why, taking language, training and availability into account. You get a reply within 12 hours. Sessions are available online across Italy and in person in 24 cities, and you can see the network on our therapists page.
Frequently asked questions
What does EMDR actually involve?
Recalling a specific memory with its image, belief and body sensation while the therapist guides sets of bilateral stimulation, usually eye movements. It follows eight structured phases and does not require you to narrate the event in detail.
Is EMDR effective for PTSD?
It has been tested in randomised controlled trials and examined in meta-analyses of those trials, including their follow-up effects. Whether it is right for you is decided in an assessment.
Can I do EMDR in English or in my own language in Italy?
Yes. Therapsy works in 14 languages, and for trauma work the language usually matters more than elsewhere, because the belief attached to the memory is verbal.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
A single recent event can take a small number of sessions; repeated or long-standing trauma takes longer, and the preparation phase counts. Ask your therapist for an expectation after the assessment.
Can EMDR be done online?
It is delivered online with the bilateral stimulation adapted to the screen, provided you are stable enough and have a private, uninterrupted space. The therapist decides this with you rather than in advance.
Does the trauma have to be severe for EMDR to apply?
No. The criterion is whether the memory is still intruding, not how serious it sounds. Accidents, medical events, sudden losses and prolonged periods of fear are all common targets.
