EMDR Therapy and Healing After Sexual Abuse

Experiencing sexual abuse can profoundly shape how a person feels about themselves, others, and the world. For many survivors, the impact does not simply fade with time. Memories, emotions, body sensations, and beliefs formed during trauma can continue to surface long after the abuse has ended.

At The LifeStory Practice, we work with survivors in a way that honours their story, prioritises safety, and supports long-term healing. One evidence-based therapy we often use is EMDR.

What Is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a structured, trauma-informed therapy that helps the brain process distressing memories that have become stuck.

When trauma occurs—particularly interpersonal trauma like sexual abuse—the brain may not fully process the experience. Instead, memories can remain stored with the same emotional and physical intensity as when the trauma first occurred. This can lead to ongoing symptoms such as anxiety, emotional overwhelm, shame, or feeling constantly on edge.

EMDR helps the brain safely reprocess these memories so they can be stored as events that happened in the past, rather than experiences that continue to intrude into the present.

The Impact of Sexual Abuse Trauma

Sexual abuse often affects more than memory alone. Survivors may notice:

• Intrusive memories or flashbacks

• Anxiety, panic, or hypervigilance

• Strong feelings of shame or self-blame

• Difficulty with trust, boundaries, or intimacy

• Feeling numb, disconnected, or detached from the body

• A sense of ongoing threat, even when safe

These responses are not personal failings. They are the nervous system’s natural attempt to protect after trauma.

How EMDR Supports Healing

EMDR works with both the mind and the body. Through bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or gentle tapping), the brain is supported to reprocess traumatic experiences in a way that feels contained and manageable.

For survivors of sexual abuse, EMDR can help to:

• Reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories

• Decrease symptoms such as anxiety and hyperarousal

• Shift deeply held beliefs like “It was my fault” or “I am not safe”

• Improve emotional regulation and connection to the body

• Restore a sense of control, choice, and empowerment

Importantly, EMDR does not require survivors to repeatedly retell or describe traumatic experiences in detail. This can make it a more tolerable option for many people.

A Gentle, Survivor-Led Approach

At The LifeStory Practice, EMDR is always delivered with care and intention. Therapy begins with building safety, trust, and emotional resources before any trauma processing occurs. Sessions move at a pace guided by the client, and consent and choice are central throughout the process.

You remain in control of your story.

An Evidence-Based Therapy

EMDR is widely recognised as an effective treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress. It is recommended by leading international organisations, including the World Health Organization, and is used extensively in work with survivors of sexual abuse.

Healing Is Possible

Healing does not mean erasing the past. It means being able to live fully in the present without the past continually shaping your thoughts, emotions, and relationships.

At The LifeStory Practice, we believe every person deserves support that is respectful, compassionate, and grounded in evidence. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, you are not broken—and you do not have to carry this alone.