EMDR Therapist in Dubai | Dr Millia Begum

Dr Millia Begum has used EMDR in clinical practice since 2002 and has more than two decades of experience working with trauma and PTSD. She works with adults in Dubai and may integrate EMDR with other trauma-focused approaches, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), when clinically appropriate.

She is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant, a published EMDR researcher and a former Board Member of the EMDR Association UK.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy recommended in international treatment guidelines for PTSD. It may also be adapted for people with more complex trauma presentations, depending on individual assessment and clinical needs.

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that was developed in the late 1980s to treat psychological trauma. It is one of the most extensively researched trauma therapies and is recommended by international treatment guidelines for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

EMDR aims to help the brain process distressing experiences that have not been fully integrated. As these experiences become more adaptively processed, they usually become less emotionally overwhelming and less likely to trigger distress in everyday life. As a result, symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, hypervigilance and emotional distress often reduce.

What does EMDR stand for?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is sometimes referred to as eye movement therapy, although EMDR is much more than eye movements alone. It is a structured psychotherapy with clearly defined treatment phases that help people process traumatic or distressing memories.

Who developed EMDR therapy?

EMDR was developed by psychologist Dr Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. She observed that certain spontaneous eye movements appeared to reduce the emotional intensity of distressing thoughts, leading her to investigate this phenomenon further.

What began as an initial observation was subsequently developed into a structured psychotherapy and tested through clinical research. Over the following decades, EMDR became one of the most extensively studied treatments for psychological trauma and is now recognised internationally as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD.

What is bilateral stimulation?

Bilateral stimulation refers to rhythmic, alternating stimulation of the left and right sides of the body. This is most commonly achieved through side-to-side eye movements but may also involve alternating taps on the hands or knees, or alternating sounds delivered through headphones.

Bilateral stimulation is a central component of EMDR therapy and is thought to support the brain’s natural processing of distressing memories, although the exact mechanisms continue to be researched.

Why does EMDR use eye movements?

Eye movements are the most extensively researched form of bilateral stimulation used in EMDR. Research suggests they enhance the processing of distressing memories and contribute to reducing their emotional intensity.

Although the precise mechanism remains under investigation, eye movements appear to help the brain integrate unresolved experiences by promoting new associations and reducing the vividness and emotional impact of traumatic memories.

EMDR can also use other forms of bilateral stimulation, including alternating taps or auditory tones, when eye movements are not appropriate or practical.

Watch a Short Video on EMDR Therapy by Dr Millia 

Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a structured psychotherapy developed to help people process distressing or traumatic memories that continue to affect them in the present.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, alongside carefully structured attention to aspects of the memory.

Is EMDR therapy available in Dubai?

Yes. EMDR therapy is available in Dubai with appropriately trained mental health professionals.

Dr Millia Begum is a Consultant Psychiatrist and EMDR-trained trauma therapist providing assessment and trauma-focused treatment in Dubai.

How do I choose an EMDR therapist in Dubai?

It can be helpful to look at the clinician’s professional registration, recognised EMDR training, experience working with trauma, and their ability to assess whether EMDR is appropriate for your particular difficulties.

For more complex presentations, including dissociation or Complex PTSD, experience in adapting trauma therapy may also be important.

Who can provide EMDR therapy?

EMDR should be provided by a qualified mental health professional who has completed recognised EMDR training and works within their professional scope of practice.

Training and professional background can vary, so it is reasonable to ask a therapist about their qualifications and experience before beginning treatment.

What conditions can EMDR help with?

EMDR has its strongest evidence base for PTSD and trauma-related difficulties.

It may also be incorporated into treatment for other difficulties where distressing memories or traumatic experiences are clinically relevant, but whether EMDR is appropriate depends on the individual assessment.

Is EMDR suitable for Complex PTSD?

EMDR can be used with people who have Complex PTSD, but treatment may need to be adapted and carefully paced.

Some people need more preparation before directly processing traumatic memories, particularly when there is significant dissociation, emotional instability or difficulty remaining present.

You can read more about Complex PTSD and complex trauma.

Can EMDR help with grief?

EMDR may sometimes be useful when grief is complicated by traumatic memories, disturbing images or aspects of the loss that remain particularly distressing.

It is not intended to remove normal grief or the emotional significance of the person who has died.

You can read more about grief and traumatic loss.

How much does EMDR therapy cost in Dubai?

The cost of EMDR therapy in Dubai varies according to the clinician, appointment length and setting.

It is useful to ask about consultation fees before booking and whether the initial appointment is an assessment rather than an EMDR processing session.

Do I need to talk about my trauma in detail during EMDR?

Not necessarily.

EMDR does involve bringing aspects of a distressing memory to mind, but a person does not usually need to give a detailed verbal account of everything that happened. The amount of information shared can be discussed with the therapist.

How do I book an EMDR therapy appointment in Dubai?

An initial consultation is usually helpful before beginning EMDR. This allows the clinician to understand your current difficulties, relevant history and whether EMDR is likely to be appropriate.

If another approach may be a better fit, you can also explore the different trauma therapy approaches available in Dubai.