EMDR Therapy: Helping You Heal from the Past
Have you ever felt like something from your past is still “stuck” in your body or mind, no matter how much time has passed?
Even if the event is long behind you, your nervous system might still be reacting as if it’s happening right now. That’s where EMDR therapy can help.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and it’s a powerful therapy approach that helps people process painful and/or overwhelming memories, without having to relive them in detail. It’s been shown to be especially effective for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and other issues tied to past experiences.
Let’s walk through what it is, how it works, and whether it might be right for you.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is a form of therapy backed by research that helps people heal from distressing life events. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses a process called bilateral stimulation-usually done with guided eye movements, tapping, or sounds-to help your brain “reprocess” painful memories.
Here’s the concept: when something traumatic happens, the brain sometimes struggles to fully process it. Instead, that memory can get “frozen” or stuck, which is why it might keep showing up through flashbacks, panic, or other emotional reactions.
EMDR helps your brain finish the job, so the memory can move into the past, where it belongs.
You don’t need to explain every detail of what happened during our sessions. Many people find comfort in knowing they don’t have to talk about the trauma at length if they don’t want to. EMDR works by helping your brain do the healing work internally, while I guide you gently through the process.
How EMDR Helps with Trauma
Trauma can affect the way you feel, think, and even see yourself. You might know something is over, but your body still reacts like it’s happening now. That’s not your fault, it’s just how the nervous system responds to danger.
EMDR helps your brain and body catch up so that you’re able to feel safe now.
In our work together, we’ll identify key memories, experiences, or themes that are still causing distress. Then, through short sets of bilateral stimulation, we process those memories while keeping you grounded and supported.
What to Expect in EMDR Therapy
If you’re curious about what EMDR looks like in practice, here’s a quick overview:
We start with preparation.
You and I get to know each other, we build some coping tools that work for you and when you’re ready, we’ll identify areas of your history that you want to work on. We don’t jump into trauma work right away. First, we make sure you feel safe, grounded, and supported.
Then we identify targeted memories and/or themes.
These are memories or experiences that still carry emotional weight. We decide which memory to work on together when you feel ready.
Next comes the processing.
While focusing briefly on the memory, I’ll guide you through bilateral stimulation, usually with back-and-forth eye movements or tapping. I will ask you to simply notice what comes up, without needing to control or judge whatever you are noticing. We pause regularly to check in.
Finally, we wrap up each session with grounding.
Whether or not we finish processing a memory in one session, I’ll help you leave feeling calm and safe.
EMDR follows an eight-phase model, that I will guide you through. You can read more about it here.
Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR can be helpful for a wide range of experiences, including:
Childhood trauma
Car crashes or medical trauma
Rape or abuse
Vicarious trauma
Panic or anxiety tied to specific memories
Feeling stuck in painful patterns
It’s not about erasing your memories, it’s about changing how they affect you. After EMDR, people often say they feel lighter, more present, and more in control of their emotions.
Additional EMDR Resources
If you’re interested in learning more about EMDR, I recommend visiting the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and EMDR Institute websites below:
https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/
https://www.emdr.com/frequent-questions/
I also recommend watching this video where Prince Harry discusses his experience with EMDR therapy.
Want to get started?
EMDR isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. If you’re wondering whether EMDR could help you personally, let’s talk. I invite you to schedule a free phone consultation with me so we can discuss.