What is EMDR?
EMDR — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — is an internationally recognized psychotherapeutic approach for the treatment of trauma, anxiety, and many forms of persistent emotional suffering. It is recommended by the World Health Organization and by the French High Authority for Health (HAS) for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Developed in the late 1980s, it helps the brain reprocess certain experiences that have remained blocked in the nervous system — sometimes for years.
After a difficult event — accident, violence, bereavement, humiliation, separation, harassment, emotional neglect, or chronic stress — the brain sometimes fails to fully integrate what was experienced. The memory then remains emotionally charged, as though part of the brain continues to react to the past in the present.
This can manifest as anxiety, hypervigilance, nightmares, flashbacks, intense emotional reactions, relational difficulties, or a persistent sense of inner insecurity.
How it works — what neuroscience explains
EMDR uses alternating bilateral stimulation — eye movements, sounds, or tapping — while the patient focuses on a difficult memory. This stimulation appears to facilitate the reprocessing of traumatic memories by activating mechanisms similar to those of REM sleep, the phase during which the brain naturally consolidates and integrates the day's experiences.
Gradually, memories lose their excessive emotional charge. They remain accessible, but no longer trigger the same intensity of reaction. The brain and body are no longer held captive by certain experiences.
What EMDR can treat
EMDR is now used well beyond post-traumatic stress disorder. It can help in many situations: simple or complex trauma, chronic anxiety, panic attacks, depression, phobias, burnout, grief, relational difficulties, longstanding emotional wounds, and fragile self-esteem.
The goal is not to erase memories, but to allow the brain and body to no longer remain prisoners of certain experiences. Gradually, the person regains greater inner freedom, emotional stability, and capacity for adaptation.
Presence at the heart of the process
The effectiveness of EMDR does not rest on technique alone.
The quality of the therapeutic relationship, the sense of safety, and the capacity of the nervous system to feel sufficiently supported play an equally essential role in the reprocessing process.
The human brain does not process difficult experiences in isolation. It stabilizes, reorganizes, and rebuilds itself within relational conditions of safety. In this sense, EMDR can be understood as a therapy of emotional regulation and relational presence as much as a technique for memory processing.
It is this dimension — the role of presence in healing — that is at the heart of my clinical practice, and that I also explore in my neuroscience research.
My approach
My practice of EMDR is grounded in an integrative approach that brings together contemporary neuroscience, polyvagal theory, work on complex trauma, and an understanding of the social brain. Each therapeutic journey is adapted to your pace, your history, and your needs.
The therapeutic work does not simply aim to remove symptoms. It seeks to gradually restore a more stable sense of inner safety, emotional coherence, and presence to oneself.
In-person in Marseille or via teleconsultation
Sessions can take place in person in Marseille or via secure teleconsultation. Recent research and clinical experience show that EMDR can be practiced effectively at a distance when the therapeutic framework is appropriately adapted — allowing many people, both in France and internationally, to access specialized care.
Related resources
Depending on your situation, you may wish to consult the following pages:
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EMDR – Understanding how the reprocessing of difficult memories can support psychological healing.
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Trauma – Better understanding the consequences of simple or complex psychological trauma.
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Attachment – Understanding how the brain gradually learns whether it can rely on the presence of others.
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Borderline Personality Disorder – Understanding the difficulties of emotional and relational regulation.
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Anxiety – Understanding the mechanisms of worry, hypervigilance, and panic attacks.
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Depression – Exploring the link between psychological exhaustion, loss of momentum, and a sense of disconnection.
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Couples Therapy – Understanding relational dynamics and attachment difficulties within the couple.
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Consultations – Practical information on consultations in Marseille or via teleconsultation.
Contact and appointment booking →
For a deeper exploration of the neuroscience of presence, you can also visit The Brain of Presence section.
Patient testimonial
(C., age 35). "Working on my past traumas through EMDR helped me enormously to move forward. It freed me from unnecessary stress — and Driss gave me very useful tools to support me along the way. I could never thank him enough for his empathy, his precision in identifying the areas to work on, and his kindness."