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Introduction to IEMT
Integral Eye Movement Therapy/Technique (IEMT) is a brief change technique that can reduce the negative emotional states that are associated with past memories and events. The mind encodes memories and emotions through visual, auditory, gustatory, or kinaesthetic experiences. Pleasant memories tend to be time-stamped and have a positive feeling or emotion attached. Traumatic memories may not have a timestamp — the memory gets stuck in a loop so that it feels like it's happening in real time. IEMT helps the client leave past negative emotional states where they belong: in the past.
Key Insight
A useful way to think about it: we are solving for X. The memory or emotion cannot find the appropriate answer to exit the problem state — it keeps revisiting the emotional imprints until it finds the correct variable.
Core Questions
IEMT explores two foundational questions:
- How did the person learn to feel this way?
- How did they learn to be the way they are?
The Practitioner's Role
Part of the work is to watch and listen to the client and notice their behavioural responses. How do they experience the problem? What keeps it locked in place? Practitioners look to identify and challenge the Five Patterns of Chronicity, and help clients explore their identities around how they view themselves within the problem state. Using precise calibrations with eye movements, we integrate the client's identity, emotions, and memories around the issue.
IEMT Contraindications
Key Insight
IF YOU HAVE TO ASK "CAN I?" — THEN DON'T.
Ocular Disease
Until there is sufficient medical evidence to suggest otherwise, eye movement work should not be used with any individual who has any active or current ocular disease process. There are no exceptions to this. Such conditions include: conjunctivitis, glaucoma, history of detached retina and recent trauma such as "a black eye." Problems such as a "lazy eye" and poor focal vision are not necessarily a contra-indication unless there is an active and concurrent disease process underlying it.
Neurological
All neurological disorders are to be considered a contraindication unless:
- You are medically qualified and experienced in the disorder, and/or
- You have authorization from the client's doctor to do so. Typical disorders include: Meniere's disease (and related disorders of balance), multiple sclerosis, epilepsy (including psychogenic and factitious seizures), "stroke", history of head injury and Parkinson's Disease.
Psychiatric
A client may be unsuitable on grounds of mental health. Specifically, unless the practitioner is experienced and qualified to work with psychotic illnesses, or is operating with suitable direct supervision, then history of psychotic illness must be considered a specific criteria for exclusion for IEMT work. When working in diagnosed moderate to severe depression it is a requirement that the client's psychiatrist/psychologist is consulted prior to IEMT treatment.
Legal
If the client is a victim or witness of crime and is likely to be giving evidence in any legal process, then without exception, suitable and relevant legal advice must be sought prior to any IEMT treatment. IEMT is a process that directly affects memory recall and memory coding, and thus IEMT treatment may potentially be raised to question the validity of an IEMT recipient's testimony.
Avoidance and Appointment Substitution
Occasionally a client may seek out IEMT treatment in substitution for their regular medical or psychiatric intervention, treatment and/or support. In all instances, the practitioner should request to liaise with the client's existing treatment services prior to treatment.
Method of Assessment
All practitioners are expected to show good sense and judgement in pre-session assessment and are free to develop their own processes for assessment. Most commonly practitioners will use a written assessment form, often sent to the client prior to booking a session, or pre-assessment interview. It is up to each practitioner to decide whether this pre-assessment interview is without charge or not. If retained, all assessment records must be stored according to US/International legal data protection criteria.
"Referring On"
There is no requirement for any practitioner to accept a client or to "refer on" any client that they decline to see. However, it shows good practice to have a suitable network of health care professionals to whom to refer some clients who may need support and advice for suitable treatment.
Origins and Influences
IEMT was developed by Andrew T. Austin and incorporates the theories and practices of:
- Steve and Connirae Andreas — Eye Movement Integration
- Francine Shapiro — Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- David Grove — ideas around identity and the use of pronouns IEMT examines how eye movements have a neurological impact on negative emotional and episodic imprints.
IEMT vs EMDR
For pre-course context, watch Andrew T. Austin explain the difference: IEMT vs EMDR — Andrew T. Austin Familiarise yourself with this so you can explain the distinction in a way that feels natural and comfortable to you.
Training Quick Reference
For use during training sessions — keep this handy
✅ DO
- Follow the instructions as given. Trust the sequence, even if it feels incomplete.
- Ask relevant questions. Stay on topic — save side questions for later.
- Stay professional. Keep focus on the work, not personal storytelling.
- Respect boundaries. Let the trainer lead; don't step in to "help" others.
🚫 DON'T
- Add other techniques (tapping, NLP extras, etc.) to the exercises.
- Derail the session with unrelated or speculative questions.
- Turn the training into group therapy or personal disclosure time.
- Offer unsolicited advice, interventions, or "fixes."
Key Insight
Remember: These guidelines protect the flow of training and help you experience IEMT exactly as it's designed.
Guided Reflection
1.What does IEMT stand for in this module?
2.According to IEMT, what is the difference between how pleasant and traumatic memories are encoded?
3.What is a contraindication for IEMT?
4.Who developed IEMT?
5.Which of the following is NOT a neurological contraindication mentioned for IEMT?
Answer all questions to submit