What Is EMDR Therapy? How It Works and What to Expect
Updated: Sep 28
Have you ever understood something logically but still felt emotionally affected by it? Maybe you know a difficult experience is in the past, yet certain situations continue to bring up fear, anxiety, shame, or a strong emotional reaction.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a structured form of psychotherapy that can help people process traumatic memories and other distressing experiences. It uses an evidence based approach called bilateral stimulation, which may involve guided eye movements, alternating taps, or sounds as part of the therapeutic process.
EMDR is not simply a technique for making a memory disappear. The goal is to help you process distressing experiences so that they may feel less disturbing and have less influence on your present-day life.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
EMDR therapy follows a structured, eight-phase approach. Your therapist first learns about your concerns, history, strengths, and goals. You and your therapist then determine whether EMDR is appropriate and develop a plan for treatment.
When you are ready to work with a specific memory or experience, your therapist may guide you to bring aspects of it to mind while using bilateral stimulation. You may notice thoughts, emotions, images, or physical sensations. Your therapist helps you remain oriented to the present and guides the process.
What Can EMDR Help With?
EMDR is well established as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Clinicians may also consider EMDR approaches for other distressing experiences and concerns, depending on the person’s needs, history, and treatment plan.
For example, someone might explore EMDR with a therapist if they are experiencing:
Distress connected to a traumatic or upsetting event
Memories that continue to feel emotionally intense
Anxiety or fear connected to particular experiences
Strong reactions to reminders of something that happened
Negative beliefs about themselves that developed in response to difficult experiences
A therapist will assess your concerns and help determine which treatment approach is suitable for you.
What Happens During an EMDR Session?
EMDR is not usually started by immediately asking you to revisit your most distressing memory. Treatment includes preparation and planning.
Your therapist may help you:
Identify your concerns and therapy goals.
Build skills for managing distress and staying grounded.
Decide which experiences may be appropriate to target.
Work with a selected memory using the EMDR process.
Review your responses and progress together.
The number of sessions and pace of treatment vary. Your therapist should take your individual circumstances, readiness, and preferences into account.
Do I Have to Tell Every Detail of What Happened?
No. EMDR does not necessarily require you to describe every detail of a distressing experience aloud. Your therapist may need some information to assess the issue and plan treatment, but the amount of detail discussed can vary.
You should be able to ask questions, share concerns, and communicate when you need to slow down or pause.
Is EMDR Right for Me?
EMDR is not the only approach to trauma or emotional distress and it is not automatically the right fit for everyone. A qualified clinician can help you consider your goals, current supports, symptoms and treatment options.
If you are curious about EMDR, you do not need to be certain it is right for you before asking about it. An initial conversation can help you understand what the process involves and whether it may be appropriate.
Explore EMDR Therapy at Gaining Grace LLC
At Gaining Grace LLC, therapy is an opportunity to better understand what you are experiencing and explore a treatment approach that fits your needs.
If you would like to learn more about EMDR, visit our EMDR Therapy page or reach out to discuss whether it may be a fit for your goals.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hey, I'm Brooke -- I'm a licensed anxiety and addiction therapist serving individuals, adolescents, and couples in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Florida. My experience brings both a personal and professional perspective to the work that I do with my clients. If you are interested in learning more about the therapy process and would like to schedule a free consultation, I would love to schedule a free, ten-minute phone consultation with you!
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized mental health care.
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