Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy for Trauma, PTSD, Anxiety and Distressing Memories

If you are searching for EMDR therapy in Lagos, EMDR therapy in Abuja, an EMDR therapist in Nigeria, or online EMDR therapy for persons in the diaspora, 360 Psyche provides professional, confidential and evidence-informed psychological support tailored to your individual needs.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured form of psychological therapy that can help people process distressing or traumatic experiences and reduce the emotional intensity associated with difficult memories. EMDR is particularly recognised as a treatment option for people experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related difficulties.

At 360 Psyche, EMDR therapy is available through selected face-to-face locations in Lagos and Abuja, as well as secure online sessions for eligible clients across Nigeria and for Nigerians living abroad, subject to applicable professional and jurisdictional requirements.

You do not have to continue feeling controlled by memories of what happened to you.

If an experience from the past continues to affect your emotions, relationships, confidence, sleep, sense of safety or everyday life, professional trauma-focused therapy may help you understand what is happening and identify an appropriate path towards recovery.

Book an EMDR assessment with 360 Psyche to find out whether EMDR is appropriate for you.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

It is a structured psychological treatment originally developed for trauma and PTSD. During EMDR, a therapist guides you to briefly focus on a distressing memory, thought, image or related experience while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, commonly through guided side-to-side eye movements. Other forms of bilateral stimulation, such as alternating sounds or taps, may also be used.

The purpose is not simply to make you forget what happened.

Instead, EMDR aims to help you process the distress associated with a troubling memory so that the memory becomes less emotionally overwhelming and is experienced differently in the present.

The American Psychological Association describes EMDR as a structured therapy in which a person focuses briefly on a trauma memory while experiencing bilateral stimulation, which is associated with reductions in the vividness and emotional intensity of trauma memories.

EMDR is based on a model known as Adaptive Information Processing (AIP). This model proposes that some distressing experiences may remain insufficiently processed, leaving aspects of the memory—such as emotions, beliefs, physical sensations or images—easily triggered by situations in the present.

For some people, this can mean that although an event happened months or years ago, their nervous system continues to respond as though the danger is still present.

EMDR therapy works with these experiences in a structured and clinically guided way.

EMDR Therapy for Trauma and PTSD

Trauma does not always disappear simply because time has passed.

Some people continue to experience emotional or psychological reactions long after an event has ended. Others may not immediately recognise their experiences as trauma.

Trauma can result from experiences such as:

• Physical or emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse or assault
• Domestic violence
• Serious accidents
• Road traffic accidents
• Sudden or traumatic bereavement
• Childhood neglect
• Bullying
• Violent experiences
• Medical trauma
• Complicated childbirth experiences
• Witnessing a traumatic event
• Natural disasters
• Community or interpersonal violence
• Relationship experiences that have left lasting psychological distress
• Other experiences that continue to feel emotionally unresolved

Trauma-related difficulties may affect much more than mood.

You may notice changes in your:

• Sleep: nightmares, difficulty falling asleep, waking frequently or feeling constantly alert.
• Emotions: fear, anger, shame, guilt, sadness, irritability or emotional numbness.
• Relationships: difficulty trusting people, fear of abandonment, withdrawal, conflict or difficulty feeling emotionally safe.
• Body: tension, racing heart, panic, startle responses or other physical reactions when reminded of what happened.
• Thoughts: intrusive memories, negative beliefs about yourself, persistent worry or difficulty concentrating.
• Behaviour: avoiding certain people, places, conversations or situations because they remind you of the experience.

These symptoms can occur with PTSD, but experiencing trauma-related symptoms does not automatically mean that you have PTSD.

A professional assessment can help determine what you are experiencing and what type of treatment may be most appropriate.

Who Can Benefit From EMDR Therapy?

EMDR is most strongly associated with trauma and PTSD treatment, and clinical guidelines recognise it as a psychological intervention that may be considered for adults with PTSD.

EMDR may be considered when a person continues to experience significant distress associated with a traumatic or disturbing experience.

You may wish to explore EMDR if:

• You continue to experience distress when remembering something that happened in the past.
• You experience intrusive memories, nightmares or unwanted images.
• Certain people, places, sounds, smells or situations trigger intense emotional reactions.
• You feel as though you are still emotionally affected by an experience even though it happened years ago.
• You avoid situations because they remind you of something distressing.
• You experience persistent fear, shame, guilt or anger connected to a past experience.
• You find it difficult to feel safe even when there is no immediate danger.
• You have experienced childhood trauma that continues to affect your adult relationships or emotional wellbeing.
• You experienced an accident or frightening event and continue to experience distress afterwards.
• You have PTSD symptoms or have been diagnosed with PTSD.

However, EMDR is not automatically appropriate for everyone.

The decision to use EMDR should be based on a professional assessment of your symptoms, history, current circumstances, emotional stability, treatment goals and clinical needs.

EMDR for Childhood Trauma

Childhood experiences can continue to influence a person’s emotional wellbeing long into adulthood.

A person may grow up believing that they have simply become “too sensitive,” “too emotional,” or unable to trust people, without recognising that earlier experiences may still be affecting their responses.

Childhood trauma can include abuse, neglect, emotional invalidation, bullying, parental conflict, abandonment, loss, frightening experiences or other circumstances that significantly affected a child’s sense of safety.

As an adult, unresolved experiences may sometimes be associated with:

• Difficulty trusting others
• Low self-worth
• Relationship difficulties
• Fear of rejection
• People-pleasing
• Emotional reactivity
• Difficulty establishing boundaries
• Shame or guilt
• Anxiety
• Avoidance
• Difficulty regulating emotions
• Persistent feelings of insecurity

EMDR may be considered as part of trauma-focused treatment where clinically appropriate.

Importantly, trauma therapy does not require you to immediately describe every detail of what happened.

Treatment should be appropriately paced. Depending on your needs, early therapy may focus on assessment, emotional regulation, coping skills and establishing a sufficient sense of safety before trauma processing begins.

What Happens During EMDR Therapy?

EMDR is not simply a matter of sitting in front of a therapist and moving your eyes from side to side.

It is a structured therapeutic process.

The traditional EMDR approach consists of eight phases, beginning with history-taking and preparation and progressing through assessment, processing and evaluation.

Phase 1: History and Assessment

The therapist first works to understand your history, current difficulties, symptoms, significant experiences and treatment goals.

This stage is important because EMDR should be incorporated into an overall clinical formulation rather than applied mechanically.

Your therapist will consider whether EMDR is appropriate and whether additional stabilisation or another therapeutic approach should come first.

Phase 2: Preparation

Before processing distressing memories, your therapist helps you develop appropriate coping and emotional regulation strategies.

You may learn techniques designed to help you manage distress between sessions and remain within a tolerable emotional range.

Preparation is particularly important when working with complex trauma or when a person experiences significant emotional dysregulation.

Phase 3: Assessment

The therapist identifies a target memory or experience and explores associated thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and beliefs.

For example, a person may have a distressing memory associated with a belief such as:

“I am not safe.”

“I am powerless.”

“It was my fault.”

“I am not good enough.”

The therapist helps identify the specific aspects of the experience that are clinically relevant to treatment.

Phases 4–7: Processing

During processing, you may briefly focus on aspects of the distressing memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation.

Your therapist guides the process and monitors your responses.

The objective is to facilitate processing of the distressing material and movement towards a more adaptive understanding of the experience.

You remain aware of the present and are guided throughout the process.

Phase 8: Evaluation

Your therapist evaluates your response to treatment and considers what has changed, what remains distressing and what may need further attention.

Treatment is not simply about completing a predetermined number of eye-movement exercises.

It is about addressing clinically relevant treatment targets and monitoring progress.

Will I Have to Tell My Therapist Everything That Happened?

Not necessarily.

One common concern among people considering trauma therapy is the fear that they will be forced to describe every painful detail of an experience.

EMDR does not necessarily require a prolonged or detailed verbal retelling of the trauma.

However, your therapist will need enough information to understand your history, symptoms, treatment goals and clinical needs.

The pace of therapy should be collaborative and appropriate to your circumstances.

At 360 Psyche, trauma treatment is approached with attention to safety, readiness and clinical appropriateness. Trauma processing should not be rushed simply because someone wants to “get it over with.”

For some clients, therapy initially focuses on stabilisation and coping before deeper trauma processing begins.

How Many EMDR Sessions Will I Need?

There is no single number of EMDR sessions that is appropriate for everyone.

The number of sessions depends on factors such as:

• The nature of the experience
• Whether there is a single traumatic event or multiple experiences
• How long ago the experience occurred
• Current symptoms
• Emotional regulation
• Other psychological difficulties
• Current stressors
• Treatment goals
• Your response to therapy
• Whether additional therapeutic approaches are needed

The American Psychological Association notes that EMDR is commonly delivered over approximately 6–12 sessions, although some people may benefit from fewer sessions.

360 Psyche’s existing EMDR service similarly identifies 6–12 sessions as a general treatment range while recognising that individual needs vary.

This does not mean that every client will require 6–12 sessions.

Your therapist will recommend an appropriate treatment plan based on your assessment and progress.

Is EMDR Only for PTSD?

No.

EMDR is particularly associated with trauma and PTSD, and this is where its evidence base and clinical use are most established.

Research and clinical practice have also explored EMDR in relation to other psychological difficulties, including anxiety, depression and other conditions. However, this does not mean that EMDR is automatically the best treatment for every condition or every individual.

At 360 Psyche, treatment recommendations are based on your specific presentation rather than assuming that one therapy works for everyone.

If EMDR is not the most appropriate intervention for you, your psychologist or therapist can discuss other evidence-based treatment options.

EMDR Therapy in Lagos

If you are searching online for:

• “EMDR therapy Lagos”
• “EMDR therapist Lagos”
• “trauma therapist Lagos”
• “PTSD therapy Lagos”
• “trauma therapy in Lekki”
• or “EMDR psychologist in Lagos,”

360 Psyche provides professional psychological services through selected locations across Lagos.

Our available Lagos locations include areas such as:

Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikota/Ajah, Abraham Adesanya, Sangotedo, Surulere, Ikeja and Festac.

This makes EMDR and trauma-focused psychological support more accessible to clients living and working across different parts of Lagos.

Whether you live in Lekki, Ajah, Ikota, Victoria Island, Ikeja, Surulere, Festac or another part of Lagos, you can contact 360 Psyche to discuss available appointment options.

If travelling to a physical location is inconvenient, online therapy may also be available where clinically appropriate.

EMDR Therapy in Abuja

360 Psyche also provides psychological services for clients seeking EMDR therapy in Abuja.

If you are searching for:

• “EMDR therapy Abuja”
• “EMDR therapist Abuja”
• “trauma therapy Abuja”
• “PTSD therapist Abuja”
• or “psychologist for trauma in Abuja,”

face-to-face services are available in selected Abuja locations, including Maitama and Wuse.

Our therapists work with clients experiencing a range of emotional and psychological concerns and can assess whether EMDR is an appropriate treatment option for your individual circumstances.

Online EMDR Therapy in Nigeria

You do not need to live in Lagos or Abuja to explore professional psychological support.

For eligible clients, 360 Psyche provides online therapy across Nigeria, allowing you to access psychological services remotely.

Online therapy can be particularly useful if you:

• Live outside Lagos or Abuja.
• Live in another Nigerian state.
• Travel frequently.
• Have a demanding professional schedule.
• Prefer the privacy of your own environment.
• Have difficulty travelling to a physical clinic.
• Prefer virtual sessions.
• Want continuity of care when relocating.

Online therapy should still be clinically appropriate for your needs. Your therapist can discuss whether EMDR can be delivered safely and appropriately in your circumstances.

Online EMDR Therapy for Nigerians Living Abroad

Are you a Nigerian living outside the country and looking for a therapist who understands Nigerian experiences and cultural contexts?

360 Psyche provides online psychological services for eligible Nigerians living abroad, subject to applicable professional and jurisdictional requirements.

Online support may be available to Nigerians living in countries such as:

• United Kingdom
• United States
• Canada
• Ireland
• United Arab Emirates
• Australia
• and other international locations where the service can appropriately be provided.

For Nigerians in the diaspora, psychological difficulties can sometimes exist alongside cultural adjustment, migration stress, family expectations, relationship challenges, parenting responsibilities, professional pressures and experiences that occurred before or after leaving Nigeria.

Some people may also prefer working with a mental health professional who understands Nigerian family structures, cultural expectations and social experiences.

Online therapy can provide an option for maintaining continuity of care without requiring you to travel to Nigeria for every appointment.

Because professional licensing and telehealth regulations vary between countries, eligibility for online psychological services is assessed on an individual basis.

Is Online EMDR Effective?

Online psychological therapy can be an appropriate option for some clients, including people who cannot attend therapy in person.

The World Health Organization recognises psychological interventions for PTSD as potentially being delivered in person or remotely, depending on the intervention and circumstances.

However, not every person or every clinical situation is suitable for online trauma therapy.

Your therapist will consider factors such as:

• Your current level of emotional stability.
• Your symptoms.
• Your ability to maintain privacy during sessions.
• Your access to a suitable device and reliable internet connection.
• Your physical environment.
• Your support system.
• The complexity of your trauma history.
• Your treatment goals.
• Your location and applicable professional requirements.

The aim is not to provide online treatment simply because it is convenient. The aim is to determine whether online therapy is a clinically appropriate option for you.

Why Choose 360 Psyche for EMDR Therapy?

Choosing a therapist for trauma work is an important decision.

Trauma therapy involves highly personal experiences, and the quality of the therapeutic relationship matters.

At 360 Psyche, our psychological services are designed around professional, confidential and evidence-informed care.

When appropriate, you can access:

• Licensed and qualified mental health professionals
• Structured psychological assessment
• Individualised treatment planning
• Trauma-focused psychological support
• Evidence-informed therapeutic approaches
• Face-to-face services in Lagos
• Face-to-face services in Abuja
• Online therapy across Nigeria
• Online services for eligible Nigerians abroad
• Confidential and professional care

Our broader trauma service emphasises assessment before trauma processing, personalised treatment planning and the importance of stabilisation and emotional regulation when clinically necessary.

What If EMDR Is Not Right for Me?

Not every person who experiences trauma needs EMDR.

And not every person who asks for EMDR will necessarily benefit from starting EMDR immediately.

A professional assessment may indicate that another approach is more appropriate.

Depending on your needs, treatment may involve or incorporate approaches such as:

• Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Exposure-based interventions
• Supportive therapy
• Emotional regulation and stabilisation
• Other trauma-focused interventions

The goal is not to provide EMDR simply because you requested it.

The goal is to identify the treatment approach most appropriate for your psychological needs.

EMDR vs Traditional Talk Therapy

One of the questions people often ask is:

“How is EMDR different from normal therapy?”

Traditional talk therapy can involve discussing your experiences, thoughts, emotions, relationships and behavioural patterns with your therapist.

EMDR can also involve talking with your therapist, but it follows a specific structured protocol and focuses significantly on distressing memories and the way those memories continue to affect you.

EMDR does not mean that you simply talk about your trauma repeatedly.

Instead, the therapist uses a structured process involving assessment, preparation, target identification, bilateral stimulation and processing.

The American Psychological Association notes that EMDR differs from some other trauma-focused treatments because it does not rely on prolonged exposure to the distressing memory.

Your therapist can explain the differences between EMDR and other therapeutic approaches during your assessment.

Common Questions About EMDR Therapy in Nigeria

Is EMDR available in Lagos?

Yes. 360 Psyche provides EMDR therapy through selected physical locations in Lagos, including areas such as Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikota/Ajah, Abraham Adesanya, Sangotedo, Surulere, Ikeja and Festac.

Is EMDR available in Abuja?

Yes. Face-to-face psychological services are available in selected Abuja locations, including Maitama and Wuse.

Can I receive EMDR online?

Online psychological services are available for eligible clients where online treatment is clinically appropriate and permitted by applicable professional and jurisdictional requirements.

Can Nigerians abroad receive online therapy?

Eligible Nigerians living abroad may be able to access online psychological services, subject to applicable professional and jurisdictional requirements.

Do I need a PTSD diagnosis before starting EMDR?

Not necessarily. You should not have to diagnose yourself before seeking psychological support. An assessment can help determine whether your symptoms are consistent with PTSD or another difficulty and whether EMDR is appropriate.

Does EMDR erase traumatic memories?

No. EMDR is not designed to erase your memories. The goal is to help reduce the distress associated with problematic memories and change how you respond to them.

Will EMDR make me relive the trauma?

EMDR involves focusing on aspects of distressing experiences, but it is not necessarily the same as repeatedly describing every detail of a traumatic event. Treatment is structured and guided by a trained professional.

Is EMDR painful?

EMDR is psychological therapy rather than a physical procedure. However, processing difficult experiences can bring up strong emotions. Your therapist should monitor your responses and help you manage distress appropriately.

How quickly does EMDR work?

Some people experience changes relatively early, while others require a longer course of treatment. Treatment response varies depending on the person, the nature of the trauma and other psychological factors.

Can EMDR help with childhood trauma?

EMDR may be considered as part of treatment for childhood trauma when clinically appropriate. The therapist will consider your history, current symptoms, stability and treatment goals.

Can EMDR help after an accident?

EMDR may be considered for trauma-related symptoms following accidents and other distressing experiences. A professional assessment is recommended.

Can EMDR help with anxiety?

EMDR may be useful for some people whose anxiety is associated with traumatic or distressing experiences. However, another form of therapy may be more appropriate depending on the underlying cause of the anxiety.

Is EMDR suitable for everyone?

No. A professional assessment is important before beginning trauma processing. The appropriate treatment depends on your symptoms, history, circumstances and clinical needs.

Start EMDR Therapy in Lagos, Abuja or Online

You do not have to understand everything about EMDR before contacting a therapist.

You do not need to know whether you have PTSD.

You do not need to know exactly what type of trauma you experienced.

And you do not need to have all the answers before your first appointment.

The first step is simply to speak with a qualified professional.

During your assessment, you can discuss what you have been experiencing, how it affects your everyday life and what you hope will change.

Your therapist can then help you determine whether EMDR therapy, trauma-focused therapy, CBT or another psychological intervention is the most appropriate option.

Whether you are searching for EMDR therapy in Lagos, an EMDR therapist in Abuja, trauma therapy in Nigeria, online EMDR therapy, PTSD therapy in Nigeria, or psychological support as a Nigerian living abroad, 360 Psyche can help you explore your treatment options.

Book an EMDR Assessment

Face-to-face EMDR therapy: Lagos and Abuja

Online therapy: Nigeria and eligible Nigerians abroad

Professional support: Confidential, personalised and evidence-informed

Appointments: Available by booking through 360 Psyche

Take the first step towards understanding why the past may still feel present—and explore whether EMDR can help.

Book your EMDR therapy appointment with 360 Psyche today.

Important Information

EMDR is a psychological treatment and is not emergency or crisis care.

If you are experiencing an immediate mental health emergency, believe that you may be at immediate risk of harming yourself or another person, or require urgent medical attention, seek emergency or urgent medical support in your current location.

EMDR should be provided within an appropriate clinical framework by appropriately trained professionals. It should not be treated as a self-help technique or attempted without professional guidance.

Treatment recommendations are individualised. The information on this page is educational and does not replace a professional psychological assessment.

About 360 Psyche

360 Psyche provides professional psychological and mental health services for individuals, couples and organisations.

Services are available through selected locations in Lagos and Abuja, as well as secure online services for clients across Nigeria and eligible Nigerians living abroad.

Our approach combines professional expertise with confidentiality, compassion and evidence-informed psychological care.

If you are ready to explore EMDR therapy, contact 360 Psyche to schedule an assessment and discuss the most appropriate treatment option for you.

360 Psyche — The Smart Way To Be Better.