EMDR Therapy Explained
Processing Trauma and Regaining Control
If you've experienced trauma—whether from a single event or a buildup of distress—you may know how powerfully the past can live in the present. You might replay memories you don’t want to relive, feel anxious without knowing why, or become easily triggered in everyday situations. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a specialized approach that helps reprocess traumatic memories in a safe, structured way.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy is an evidence-based, non-invasive psychotherapy method developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro. It is particularly effective for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it’s also used to address anxiety, panic disorders, phobias, complicated grief, and more.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require you to discuss every detail of a traumatic memory. Instead, it helps the brain reprocess the memory so it becomes less distressing. The goal is not to forget the memory—but to remove the emotional charge associated with it.
How EMDR Works
EMDR therapy is typically delivered in eight structured phases:
History and Treatment Planning – The therapist gathers background and identifies target memories.
Preparation – You learn grounding techniques to manage emotions and stay present.
Assessment – The therapist identifies the specific memory to reprocess and the negative beliefs tied to it.
Desensitization – You focus on the memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, often through side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or sounds.
Installation – Positive beliefs are paired with the memory.
Body Scan – You check for residual tension and emotional response.
Closure – The session ends with grounding, ensuring you leave feeling stable.
Reevaluation – Progress is reviewed and adjusted in future sessions.
The bilateral stimulation used in EMDR helps your brain integrate and "digest" trauma in a similar way to REM sleep. Over time, the memory becomes more like a neutral fact than a live emotional wound.
What It Feels Like to Go Through EMDR
Clients often report:
Feeling initially nervous but quickly grounded by the structure of the session
Emotional intensity, followed by relief or clarity
Shifts in physical sensations or emotional perspective as memories are reprocessed
One of EMDR’s strengths is that you don’t need to verbalize the entire trauma. The focus is on what comes up for you internally as the memory is activated and reprocessed.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR?
EMDR is well-researched and recommended by organizations such as the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association. It's effective for:
Survivors of abuse, assault, or accidents
Veterans and first responders
People with childhood trauma or attachment wounds
Individuals experiencing anxiety, panic, or intense shame
It’s important to work with a certified EMDR therapist who can guide you safely through the process.
Why EMDR Feels Empowering
Trauma often leaves us feeling powerless. EMDR, by helping you move from being overwhelmed by the past to integrating and resolving it, restores a sense of control. Many clients report a greater sense of peace, confidence, and emotional stability after treatment.
It’s not about erasing the past—it’s about reclaiming your present.