While certain therapies help some people overcome trauma, they won’t be able to help everyone. Some people may only respond to therapies that are specifically designed to treat trauma. Two of these therapies are EMDR and DBR.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) are both trauma therapies, but they work in very different ways. While EMDR is a well-researched therapy that has been around for a few decades, DBR is a newer approach that has quickly gained recognition.
But with two trauma therapies to choose from, many are left wondering: which is better for trauma treatment? Is EMDR or DBR more effective for PTSD? And how are they different?
Read on to discover the key differences, benefits and how to decide which therapy is right for you.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy treatment initially developed for PTSD but has recently expanded to treat other conditions. It helps you process emotional distress from traumatic experiences by changing how the brain stores those distressing memories. It focuses on changing emotions, thoughts or behaviours triggered from the experience. This involves recalling traumatic events while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping or audio cues.
EMDR works in a similar way to a plaster on a wound by helping the brain heal from trauma naturally and speeding up the recovery process. In fact, some people experience the same benefits that would otherwise take years with traditional therapy in just a few sessions.
EMDR has become hugely popular, with hundreds of thousands of therapists using it worldwide. Although initially devised for PTSD treatment, it’s now used to treat anxiety, depression, dissociate disorders, OCD, personality disorders, eating disorders and more.
EMDR was developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987 after a walk in the woods when she realised how she could process harmful thoughts while her eyes moved between two focal points.
Her approach is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which suggests traumatic memories are stored differently from regular memories. When the brain stores a distressing memory, they can be easily triggered, leading to distress and making it harder to heal. EMDR accesses and reprocesses these stored memories in a controlled way using eye movements and a therapist’s instructions.
This process doesn’t erase the memories but helps the brain to heal and reduce any emotional distress, so you won’t relive the experience and can better manage any associated emotions.
EMDR has been widely researched over the last few decades and is now accepted around the world as an effective form of treatment for trauma and other conditions. It is recognised by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
There is a range of studies that shows EMDR to be just as effective as trauma-focused CBT. Some research shows that 84-90% of trauma survivors recover from PTSD after just three sessions, while 100% of single-trauma victims recovered after six sessions.
Each EMDR session lasts approximately 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the therapist. There is an eight-phase approach to EMDR therapy, but most sessions typically involve revisiting a traumatic memory while focusing on an external stimulus. Therapist-directed bilateral eye movements (like tracking an object with your eyes) are the most common, but some therapists use other stimuli like tapping or audio sounds.
By recalling a traumatic event while focusing on something else, the brain forms new associations between the traumatic event and more adaptive thoughts. This helps to reprocess the event, reduce emotional distress and improve cognitive understanding.
Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a new trauma therapy that has shown some very promising results. Unlike EMDR, it doesn’t focus solely on psychological emotions but also on the physiological responses to trauma.
DBR is based on the idea that trauma is registered in the brainstem and so targets this area to prioritise deeper healing, using head, face and neck sensations to process traumatic experiences.
DBR was developed by Scottish psychiatrist Frank Corrigan in 2020, initially designed to treat attachment shock but has since expanded to become a trauma treatment.
The theory is based on a person’s automatic physiological response to a shocking event. When a potential trauma occurs, your brain automatically moves your eyes towards it, often using muscles in the neck and head as well. All these processes are done subconsciously through the brainstem, leading many to suggest that the brain registers trauma in the brainstem as well. By targeting the brainstem, it can be more effective to process trauma and heal.
In 2023, there was a randomised controlled trial that concluded with some positive results. After eight sessions of DBR, patients reported a 36.6% improvement in PTSD symptoms, which increased to nearly 50% after a three-month follow-up, with 52% of patients no longer meeting the criteria for PTSD after treatment.
Although still relatively new, there is plenty of ongoing research. DBR therapy for PTSD and other conditions is growing so much in popularity that more and more therapists are choosing to train in DBR every year.
DBR requires the therapist to treat trauma by targeting the brainstem. This requires the therapist to guide the client to focus on a trigger, whether it’s something present or a small part of the traumatic event. Unlike EMDR, patients aren’t required to recall the entire event – just enough for the emotions and other sensations to unfold naturally so the nervous system can process the stored trauma.
As patients focus on a trigger, the therapist guides them to concentrate on the physical sensations in the face, neck and head. This allows the brain to reorganise and integrate various emotional responses and reduce distress. This leads to:
Which is better – EMDR or DBR? It’s a simple question but the answer depends entirely on the trauma you need to address. Here are some of the key differences between EMDR and DBR therapy:
| EMDR | DBR | |
| Core Approach
|
Uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping etc.) to reprocess trauma
|
Focuses on deep emotional responses in the brainstem
|
| Memory Recall
|
Requires active recall of traumatic memories
|
Does not require direct memory recall
|
| Processing Method
|
Forms new associations with traumatic memories | Works with deep-rooted emotional responses |
| Best For
|
Single-event trauma, PTSD & anxiety
|
Complex trauma, attachment wounds & emotional dysregulation
|
| Speed of Results
|
Often faster – 6-12 sessions for many people
|
Slower, focusing on long-term deep healing
|
| Emotional Intensity
|
Can be emotionally intense
|
Gentler & less overwhelming
|
Choosing between EMDR and DBR therapy can be a difficult decision. Both are effective therapies that treat trauma and other conditions, but since they each have a different therapeutic approach, the right choice for you depends on the issue you wish to address.
EMDR is highly effective for single-incident trauma since it directly reprocesses the distressing memories and reduces their emotional intensity. It works quickly to desensitise triggers and help you move past the event without recurring flashbacks or anxiety.
DBR is ideal for chronic, developmental trauma stemming from prolonged neglect or abuse. Rather than focusing on individual memories like EMDR, it restructures deep emotional responses stored in the nervous system. This makes it effective for treating attachment wounds, self-worth issues and emotional dysregulation.
EMDR is a gold-standard treatment for PTSD, known to reduce intrusive flashbacks, nightmares and hypervigilance. By helping the brain reprocess traumatic experiences, it significantly decreases distress and improves emotional regulation.
DBR is effective for anyone struggling with chronic anxiety, relationship difficulties and deep-seated fear patterns. It works by reorganising emotional processing to create a stronger sense of security without needing direct exposure to traumatic memories.
EMDR and DBR are both effective therapies but are best used in different situations. EMDR has been widely studied and proven to be effective for PTSD, anxiety and trauma processing. On the other hand, DBR is a newer therapy better suited to treating deep-rooted, chronic trauma and attachment wounds.
EMDR is better for PTSD as there is extensive research to prove its efficacy. However, DBR may be more appropriate for complex PTSD (C-PTSD) or any trauma linked to deep emotional dysregulation.
There is a possibility that both EMDR and DBR can make trauma worse – but only temporarily. EMDR involves directly recalling traumatic memories, which can be particularly distressing for some patients. DBR is a gentler process as it avoids any direct trauma exposure, but it can still bring up deep-rooted emotions over time. As a result, it’s important to work with a fully trained therapist to ensure your therapy is safe and effective.
EMDR is typically faster than DBR, with most people see results in as few as six to twelve sessions. DBR works at a deeper neurological level and so takes longer, requiring gradual emotional reprocessing. Since DBR depends on the complexity of the trauma, its duration can vary considerably. However, one study showed a 36.6% reduction in PTSD symptoms after eight weekly sessions.
EMDR can be done both in-person and online. In fact, EMDR is becoming increasingly available via teletherapy. DBR is mostly done in-person for now since it focuses on physical sensations and deep brain responses. However, it is still possible to conduct DBR online, so there will likely be more trained therapists offering online DBR in the near future.
EMDR is easier to find since it is an established therapy that many therapists are already trained in. DBR is newer and so less common, so you may need to search for specialists or referrals. Browse through online directories, ask your GP for a referral or get in touch with mental health organisations to find a therapist that offers what you need. If you are in the Surrey area or would like sessions online, we could always help you!
EMDR and DBR are both powerful trauma therapies that help people recover from a range of conditions, from PTSD to anxiety and depression. However, their approaches are different, and which one is best for you depends entirely on your individual needs and preferences.
Interested in EMDR or DBR? We’re here to help, with appointments available for you to get started right away! Book a free consultation today and take your first step toward recovery.