Adjunctive EMDR therapy
- Tatiana Ceban
- Sep 22, 2025
- 2 min read
Adjunctive therapy is a form of treatment that complements a primary therapy to enhance its overall effectiveness. While adjunctive therapy is not the primary intervention, it plays an essential supportive role in improving the outcomes of the main treatment.
Understanding EMDR as adjunctive therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) adjunctive therapy involves integrating EMDR as a complementary treatment alongside a client’s existing therapeutic relationship or primary therapeutic modality. This means that EMDR is utilized specifically to address trauma-related issues that may be deeply entrenched or unresolved, rather than replacing the primary therapist.
What adjunctive EMDR therapy involves
Adjunctive EMDR therapy does not take the place of the client’s primary therapist; rather, it works in tandem with their ongoing treatment. The EMDR therapist collaborates closely with the referring clinician to ensure continuity of care and maintain emotional safety for the client. This collaborative approach is particularly beneficial for clients who are making progress in talk therapy but find themselves facing certain emotional blocks or hurdles related to trauma that impede further growth.
The practical application of EMDR therapy
In practice, the client continues to have regular sessions with their referring therapist, which focus on broader therapeutic goals such as exploring relational patterns, developing coping strategies, and addressing life challenges. Concurrently, the EMDR therapist concentrates specifically on desensitizing and reprocessing traumatic memories. This process often takes place over a short series of structured sessions designed to yield significant emotional relief and transformation.
Once the EMDR treatment is completed, the client returns to their primary therapist equipped with new insights, reduced distress, and an enhanced emotional capacity to confront and address their ongoing therapeutic goals. This transition is crucial, as the primary therapist can integrate the insights gained from EMDR into the broader therapeutic context.
Advantages of EMDR as an adjunctive therapy
1. Efficient trauma targeting: EMDR is adept at addressing specific trauma efficiently, without interfering with the core dynamics of the therapeutic relationship established with the primary therapist.
2. Relief for stagnation: The therapy provides significant relief for clients who may feel “stuck” in traditional talk therapy, allowing them to move forward by confronting and resolving deep-seated trauma.
3. Enhanced professional collaboration: The collaboration between the EMDR therapist and the primary therapist enriches the overall treatment experience for the client, fostering a more comprehensive approach to mental health care.
How to access adjunctive EMDR therapy
As a certified EMDR therapist, I provide a range of options for clients seeking adjunctive therapy:
- Individual access: Any individual can access this service, provided they have been referred by their current therapist. This referral ensures that the adjunctive treatment aligns with their ongoing therapeutic work.
- Referral process: A mental health professional can submit a referral to this service using a dedicated form, which facilitates the process of obtaining adjunctive EMDR therapy.
- Options for ACC-registered therapists: Therapists registered with ACC can access adjunctive EMDR therapy through ACC, which allows them to offer their clients up to 20 hours of specialized treatment focused on trauma.
This structured and collaborative approach ensures that clients receive the comprehensive care they need to address both their trauma and their overall mental health goals effectively.
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