The challenge of overcoming PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing extreme situations, such as severe accidents, assaults, natural disasters, or violence. People with PTSD often relive the traumatic event repeatedly through intrusive memories, nightmares, and a constant sense of danger—even in safe environments.
For them, the past doesn’t stay in the past. Breaking out of this cycle can be tough without professional help.
Two of the most recommended treatments for PTSD by international guidelines are:
- Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (tfCBT or CT-PTSD), which helps process memories, identify negative thoughts, and replace them with more realistic ones.
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a technique that uses guided eye movements or bilateral stimulation to "unlock" traumatic memories and lessen their emotional impact.
But is there evidence that one works better than the other? A recent study from the NHS in London set out to answer just that.
The study: 11 years comparing EMDR and tfCBT
British researchers analyzed the outcomes of 1,580 adult patients treated over 11 years in an outpatient mental health service under the NHS Talking Therapies program in London.
All these patients were diagnosed with PTSD and received one of the two main treatments:
- tfCBT, focused on identifying and working through thoughts and beliefs tied to the trauma.
- EMDR, aimed at reprocessing traumatic memories through eye movements.
This large-scale analysis allowed them to observe not only how symptoms changed but also what patient characteristics might influence recovery.
What did they find?
Surprising similarities
The results showed that when specifically measuring PTSD recovery according to NHS criteria, there were no significant differences between the two treatments:
- 40.8% of patients treated with tfCBT met recovery criteria.
- 43.6% of patients treated with EMDR also met them.
This suggests that both therapies are equally effective at treating core PTSD symptoms in this service.
What about anxiety and depression?
However, the study uncovered an interesting nuance: tfCBT led to greater reductions in overall anxiety and depression symptoms compared to EMDR. But there’s a catch: patients who started tfCBT had higher anxiety and depression scores at the outset, which may have influenced the room for improvement.
Other insights to help personalize treatment
The researchers also observed:
- Older patients and males tended to have higher anxiety and depression levels at the start of treatment.
- There was no clear indication that one therapy was better than the other for specific groups, although these findings can help in planning tailored treatments.
What does this mean for someone with PTSD?
The main takeaway from this extensive study is both reassuring and hopeful: if you’ve experienced trauma and have been recommended EMDR or tfCBT, both approaches are backed by solid scientific evidence and offer similar chances of PTSD recovery.
The choice may depend on:
- ✅ Your predominant symptoms: if you also experience significant general anxiety or depression, some data suggests cognitive therapy might offer an extra benefit in those areas.
- ✅ Your personal preferences: some people feel more comfortable with a structured approach targeting thoughts (tfCBT), while others prefer to work directly on traumatic memories through EMDR.
- ✅ Your therapist’s guidance: professionals may recommend one or the other based on your clinical history, personal strengths, and readiness to tackle certain aspects of the trauma.
A commitment to accessible mental health
This study, published in 2025 in The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, also highlights an important point: the recovery rates achieved are similar to those in other NHS services, confirming that the psychological therapies offered by the UK public system are effective.
Initiatives like this show that investing in mental health isn’t just possible—it’s essential. It allows thousands of people to receive quality, evidence-based therapies who might otherwise remain stuck in the past.
How to take the first step
If you think you might be struggling with PTSD or lingering effects after a traumatic experience, talking to a psychologist or psychiatrist is the best starting point. Remember:
- ✨ You’re not alone.
- ✨ Effective treatments exist.
- ✨ Seeking help is an act of courage.
Study reference
Belli et al., 2025, published in The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist.