EMDR is a psychological therapy initially designed for working with distressing traumatic memories. These memories are stored in our memory in an unprocessed or blocked way. It is now used for a range of other mental health problems like anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship issues. EMDR is a structured therapy which uses bi-lateral movement (side eye movement) or use of tappers, alongside thinking about the trauma to change the distressing thoughts or images so that the feelings attached to it are more manageable or neutral. Throughout the process, you are fully alert (it’s not like hypnotism) you can stop at any point. EMDR was developed as a PTSD treatment and is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE UK) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a first line treatment. 

There are different phases in the EMDR approach: 

• History taking and treatment planning
• Preparation
• Assessment
• Treatment 
• Evaluation

Reference: https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/