Ik Wil Verandering · Online praktijk van Leef Vanuit Je Hart

Janine

Eye movements and trauma processing: how it works in practice

You may wonder how something as simple as eye movements can soften a traumatic memory. It sounds almost too simple — yet people's recovery shows that guided eye movements can set something meaningful in motion during trauma processing. On this page, I explain step by step what happens, why it works and what you can expect from IEMT therapy.

Plan je intake

Why do memories sometimes get stuck in your body?

Eye movements and trauma processing centre on one key question: why does an old memory sometimes still feel so fresh? When you experience something distressing, your brain stores that experience together with all the associated emotions, physical sensations and beliefs. Normally, the brain processes this information at night during REM sleep. With emotionally charged memories, this process sometimes remains incomplete — the memory stays 'active' and triggers the same reactions over and over. This isn't a weakness; it's a protective mechanism doing its job a little too well.
Emotional intensity
The level of tension, fear or sadness you feel when you recall a particular memory. With traumatic experiences, this intensity is often disproportionately high compared with the danger you face in the present.
REM sleep
The stage of sleep in which your eyes move rapidly and your brain actively processes and stores memories. Researchers suspect that bilateral eye movements during the day activate a similar processing mechanism.

How do eye movements set the processing mechanism in motion?

Imagine thinking about a painful memory while your eyes move gently from left to right. This combination may seem trivial, but it is thought to activate the same mechanism as REM sleep: the brain starts to organise information that has become stuck, and the emotional intensity decreases. With IEMT, this goes beyond memories alone. The method also addresses the beliefs and identity patterns that have grown out of those experiences — such as 'I'm not good enough' or 'I'm not safe'. Janine guides you through this step by step in an online video call, without you having to share every detail of a memory.
FeatureIEMTEMDRTraditional talking therapy
Uses eye movementsYes, a core componentYes, a core componentNo
Also addresses beliefs and identityYesTo a limited extentYes, but through conversation
Can take place entirely onlineYesTo a limited extentYes
Short-term and structuredYesVariesVaries
No need to describe the memory in detailYesNoNo

What might you notice during and after an eye movement session?

Many people describe using eye movements to process trauma as gentler than they expected. During the session, you may notice the emotional intensity of a memory gradually decreasing — as though something that has been stuck for a long time is beginning to shift. Afterwards, you may feel tired, but also relieved. Some people find they can still recall the memory, but the tension associated with it has gone. These are experiences shared by clients; IEMT is not a medical treatment and does not guarantee specific results. If you are in an acute crisis or experiencing severe symptoms, it is always advisable to consult your GP first.

Common misconceptions

  • Niet dit
    Eye movements are just a distraction, not real therapy.

    Wel dit
    Guided bilateral eye movements are thought to activate the same processing mechanism as REM sleep. The first exploratory peer-reviewed study on IEMT, published in March 2026, showed a significant reduction in emotional intensity — further large-scale research is needed, but 'just a distraction' is not an accurate description.

  • Niet dit
    You have to talk about your trauma in detail for it to work.

    Wel dit
    With IEMT, you don't need to describe every detail of a memory. The processing mechanism is set in motion by combining eye movements with the emotional intensity you bring to mind — not by telling the story itself.

  • Niet dit
    Online sessions are less effective than face-to-face sessions.

    Wel dit
    IEMT is particularly well suited to online support via video call because the eye movements are guided on screen and the method does not depend on being physically present. Clients in Flanders and the Netherlands have been working successfully online with Janine for years.

Related topics

Frequently asked questions

  • Safe and online

    All sessions take place online via a secure video call — no travel, no waiting room, just working from the comfort of your own familiar surroundings.

  • Short-term and focused

    A session lasts 60 to 90 minutes. IEMT takes a structured, focused approach, so you may experience noticeable shifts even in your first session.

  • Certified support

    Janine is a certified IEMT practitioner who supports clients in Flanders and the Netherlands with a calm, direct approach that goes beyond simply talking.

Ready to discover what eye movements could do for you?

You don't have to talk endlessly about the past for something to change. Janine guides you step by step through an online session lasting 60 to 90 minutes. The initial consultation costs €100 excluding VAT, with secure payment via Stripe. Feel free to get in touch — it's easy, and there's no obligation.

Book your initial consultationBel Janine