I first did EMDR about 10 years ago, and recently decided to go back to it. I find it most effective to use CBT, EMDR, and meds.

'Eye movement' is not the only effective method. I use earphones and recently added these little hand vibration devices at the same time. I have to synchronize the sound and vibration before we start the session. I also like to keep my eyes closed. I've always been able to control the tempo, which I find very helpful. For lack of a better way to explain it, when you hit the right 'spot' you'll know it immediately. Both therapists that I've done this with have commented that my tempo preference is much faster than their other patients.

What's funny is that after a few minutes, my eyes move back and forth in tempo with the sound/vibration even though they are closed. It's weird, but a good kind of weird. I don't really notice it once I've settled in and started focusing.

Not every treatment helps every person, but living here in Oklahoma, you find a lot of people who were helped immensely by it right after the Federal Building exploded.

Hope this helps!

WW