How RRT works
RRT vs. EMDR
If you've been reading about trauma therapy, you've almost certainly come across EMDR. It's natural to wonder how it compares with Rapid Resolution Therapy. I offer RRT, not EMDR, so I have an obvious interest here. I'll try to be fair anyway, because you deserve an honest picture.
Short version: they're different approaches with different formats. I'm not going to tell you one is better or faster. What matters most is fit.
What EMDR is
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's a structured therapy that moves through defined phases, from history-taking and preparation through to processing and review.
In the processing phases, you briefly hold a distressing memory in mind while following bilateral stimulation: side-to-side eye movements, alternating taps, or tones in each ear. The therapist guides you through repeated short sets and checks in between them. EMDR usually doesn't require you to give a detailed spoken account of the memory.
EMDR has been studied extensively and appears in major clinical guidelines for PTSD. That's a real strength, and worth weighing.
What RRT is
Rapid Resolution Therapy is conversational. It works with how the mind is holding an experience, with the aim of the event no longer carrying the charge it does now. Sessions with me run 90 minutes and feel like a direct, sometimes funny conversation. There's no retelling required.
RRT has been studied far less than EMDR. I'd rather you hear that from me than discover it on your own. It's one reason I'm careful to describe what RRT aims at, not what it will do for you.
What the two have in common
Both focus on how a painful experience is affecting you now, rather than only on understanding it. Neither requires you to narrate the event in detail. Both are used for trauma and PTSD, and both can be used for other concerns too.
Where they differ
Format is the most noticeable difference. EMDR follows a set protocol with bilateral stimulation at its core. RRT is a conversation, shaped in the room.
Structure differs too. EMDR has distinct phases, and the early ones focus on preparation before processing begins. RRT sessions with me are longer and move toward the work you came for within each session.
And, as above, the research base is very different in size. That doesn't settle which one suits you, but it's honest to name.
How to choose
I'd suggest three questions. Fit: which format appeals to you? Some people like the structure of a protocol. Others find a conversation more natural. Format: do you want shorter weekly sessions or longer focused ones? And trust: do you feel comfortable with the clinician in front of you? That last one matters a great deal, whichever approach you pick.
If you want EMDR specifically, look for a clinician trained in EMDR. I'm not, and I'd rather point you in the right direction than pretend otherwise. If you'd like to know how RRT compares with ordinary weekly therapy, see RRT vs. traditional talk therapy.
Trying something new
Some people come to RRT having already done EMDR. Sometimes it helped with one thing but not another. Sometimes the format didn't suit them. That's not a failure on anyone's part. Different approaches reach people differently.
The free 15-minute consultation is a no-pressure way to ask questions and see whether this feels right. No paperwork, no commitment.
A note on research and claims
When you're comparing approaches, you'll see a lot of confident claims online, for both. Be a little wary of anyone who promises a particular result in a particular number of sessions. Trauma work doesn't go the same way for everyone, whatever the method.
A good clinician of either kind should be willing to tell you what their approach aims at, what it doesn't do, and when they think something else might suit you better. If you ask me those questions in a consultation, I'll answer them directly.
If you'd like to know more about the practical side of working with me, including cost and how sessions run, the 90-minute sessions page covers it.
If you're in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). For emergencies, dial 911.
Questions people ask
I won't rank them. EMDR has a much larger research base; RRT works differently and suits some people well. The better choice depends on you, the format you prefer, and the clinician you trust.
Yes. Plenty of people try more than one approach. It's helpful to tell me what you did and what did or didn't help, but you don't need to go into detail.
No. I offer Rapid Resolution Therapy, drawing on CBT and mindfulness-based approaches where they fit. If you want EMDR, look for an EMDR-trained clinician.
Curious whether this could fit for you?
Rapid Resolution Therapy is a therapeutic approach, not a guarantee of specific results and not a substitute for medical care. Every person's experience is different and individual outcomes vary.