EMDR for Depression: How It Works, Examples, & Effectiveness

What Is EMDR?

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is a neurobiological-based intervention that works by targeting certain areas of your life, including early childhood memories, traumatic events, beliefs about yourself, strong emotions, body sensations, and current triggers.

How Does EMDR Work?

So, how does EMDR work? It works with the body’s existing healing networks to help the nervous system find, resolve, and become unstuck from its emergency responses. This allows the body to return to homeostasis, relieving many symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and even psychosis. People can participate in EMDR online or in person.

What Is Depression?

Depression entails a low mood that can impact someone’s energy, irritability, motivation, and general ability to function. It can have genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms of depression can be very individualized and depend on the type of depression someone is experiencing.

How Does EMDR Help With Depression?

One of the most common EMDR techniques used to help clients work through depression is to identify the powerful, negative thoughts or beliefs that trigger their symptoms. These thoughts can significantly impact the quality of life and may include things like, “I am no good to anyone;” “People are better off without me;” “Things will never get better;” “It’s my fault;” or “I am unlovable.”

By working with these specific thoughts and identifying the underlying life events, experiences, or traumatic memories that led to the development of those beliefs, you can begin to alleviate symptoms of depression.

One study reviewed this technique to treat depression for patients diagnosed with major depression disorder (MDD) that significantly impacted their quality of life. The participants achieved significant and marked reduction in their symptoms of depression after receiving six to eight sessions of EMDR.¹

Dr. Arne Hofmann, the founder of the EMDR-Institute Germany, says “In cases that work well with usual guideline-based therapy, EMDR may not be needed. However, many depressive patients relapse and many get chronic.  This is where guideline-based therapy often is not working well anymore. Also, 60% of depressive patients have additional disorders, comorbidity, in many cases trauma-based disorders, that make treatment more difficult. Here EMDR is clinically, in my eyes, a treatment of choice because other treatments often do not work well in these cases.”

Examples of EMDR for Depression

More research is required on EMDR for depression; however, a literature review demonstrates significant and often impressive results.^{2, 3} There are examples of EMDR being used to treat MDD, reactive depression, PTSD with comorbid depression, and even symptoms of depression following a loss.

Here are four examples of how EMDR is used to treat various types of depression:

1. EMDR in Treating Major Depression

EMDR is used to treat major depression (MDD) by targeting the negative beliefs and self-talk that trigger depressive symptoms. EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which is a theory stating that the things that happen to us are what lead to our internal dialogue and nervous system response to life events.

Due to the limited information our brain has to utilize when something negative happens, we might jump to certain conclusions about ourselves or the world. Alternatively, due to the heightened activation of our emergency processes when something traumatic happens, it may become stuck in overdrive.

The mind will use that same limited data to inform us of current or future events and our emergency response may be sensitive to activation.

2. EMDR in Treating Reactive Depression

EMDR is used to treat reactive depression by focusing on the reprocessing and desensitization of the event where the depression started. It’s important to note that this is different from expected grief, which is a part of bereavement and processing the loss or death of a loved one.

3. EMDR in Treating PTSD With Comorbid Depression

EMDR has been shown to significantly improve symptoms of depression co-occurring with PTSD. It focuses on treating the origins of the trauma, including events and context. As the mind and body heal from the trauma, the depression also begins to resolve.³

4. EMDR in Treating Expected Grief From a Loss

There are differences between grief and depression, and although symptoms of depression following a loss are a normal part of bereavement, EMDR can alleviate some of the intensity. This serves to prevent long-term distortions that can arise from loss, particularly if it was traumatic. EMDR treats grief by focusing on one or all of the following: strong emotions, body sensations, negative self-beliefs, and disturbing stimuli like imagery, sound, or smell.

Is EMDR Effective for Treating Depression?

Studies confirm EMDR as an evidence-based practice for treating depression. Although more research is needed for specific types of depression, evidence demonstrates significant improvement in symptoms of depression for EMDR participants. One study showed that MDD patients achieved a significant reduction of symptoms after six to eight sessions. Not only did it treat their symptoms, but it improved their overall quality of life.^1,2,3

A narrative summary of randomized controlled trials (RTC) conducted with patients diagnosed with depression cited two studies where there was a significant reduction in depressive symptoms following treatment. One study also reported that the improvements remained at a three month follow-up.²

Additional analysis of RCTs compared EMDR to CBT for depression and found that both significantly reduce symptoms; however, those in the EMDR treatment group saw almost complete remission. The study also found that those that received EMDR versus CBT considered it a less negative experience.²

How to Find an EMDR Therapist

Finding an EMDR provider can be as simple as asking your primary care provider for a referral. If you have insurance, consider asking for a list of in-network providers. You can also consider using an online therapist directory that allows you to narrow down your search by location, price, expertise, and insurance coverage.

Final Thoughts on EMDR for Depression

Starting any mental health treatment can be intimidating at first. Remind yourself that qualified therapists are standing by to help you sort through your goals and start feeling better. If you or a loved one are dealing with some kind of depression, consider EMDR as a legitimate treatment option.