A frightening or distressing experience does not always fade on its own. Images, emotions or physical reactions connected to the event can keep returning, sometimes for years afterwards. EMDR is one of the most researched and widely applied treatments for trauma, and it is included in Dutch clinical guidelines for the treatment of PTSD. In this article we explain what EMDR involves, how a session typically unfolds, and what you can expect if you start this treatment at Mavera GGZ in Rotterdam.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It was developed to help people who continue to struggle with the effects of a distressing event, such as an accident, an assault, abuse or another overwhelming experience. The underlying idea is that such an event may not have been fully “processed” by the brain, so the memory, along with the emotions and physical sensations attached to it, keeps resurfacing whenever something brings it to mind.
During EMDR, you are asked to briefly recall the most distressing images of the event, together with the thoughts and feelings connected to it. At the same time, the therapist introduces a form of bilateral stimulation, most often guided eye movements that you follow with your eyes, though sometimes alternating sounds or taps are used instead. This bilateral stimulation appears to support the brain in reprocessing the memory, so that it gradually becomes less emotionally charged.
How does an EMDR session work?
An EMDR treatment always starts with a thorough introduction and preparation phase. Together with your therapist, you identify which memory or memories are most prominent and how they affect your daily life. Only once there is enough trust and clarity does the actual reprocessing work begin.
During a typical session:
- You briefly bring the distressing memory to mind, including the image, the thought and the feeling attached to it.
- You follow the therapist’s hand or a light bar with your eyes while focusing on the memory.
- After each set of eye movements, there is a short pause to talk through whatever comes up.
- This process repeats until the memory triggers less distress.
Many people notice that the memory starts to “shift” during treatment: the images remain, but the emotional intensity decreases. This change can sometimes be noticeable after a single session, although repeated or long-standing trauma generally requires a longer course of treatment.
Who is EMDR suitable for?
EMDR is most often used when there is a preliminary DSM-5 classification of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the method is also applied to other complaints where a distressing memory plays a role, such as certain anxiety complaints, phobias, or intrusive memories that keep coming back. Whether EMDR is the right approach for you is always discussed carefully during the intake interview.
EMDR at Mavera GGZ
At Mavera GGZ in Rotterdam, our BIG-registered therapists have experience with EMDR alongside other evidence-based treatment methods, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), ACT, schema therapy and psychodynamic therapy. We offer care in several languages, including Dutch, Turkish, English, Ukrainian, Polish, Uyghur and Arabic, so you can tell your story in the language you feel most comfortable in.
A referral from your GP is required for specialist mental healthcare (GGZ), including EMDR. After registration, we schedule an intake appointment; the current average waiting time for this is approximately 6 weeks. Treatment usually starts within about 3 months. During treatment, progress is evaluated together at least once every 3 months, so the approach keeps matching what you need.
Mavera GGZ is contracted with health insurers DSW and RMA/RMO, and has a payment agreement with Zilveren Kruis and VGZ. Please note that treatment within specialist mental healthcare falls under the mandatory deductible (eigen risico), which is €385 in 2026.
In closing
EMDR is not a quick fix and does not work at the same pace for everyone, but it is a well-researched and widely used treatment that can help people give distressing memories a different place in their lives. If you are struggling with the aftermath of a frightening event and want to know whether EMDR could help you, talk to your GP and ask for a referral to Mavera GGZ.
If you are in crisis or immediate danger, always contact emergency services directly: call 112 (in the Netherlands) or go to A&E. Mavera GGZ is not a crisis service.
Want to know more or schedule an appointment? Contact us on 010 – 254 38 96 or info@maveraggz.nl.
Keywords
