EMDR Therapy: An Explanation of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

By Brynn Barry, LPC

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) traditionally uses eye movements to rapidly reprocess trauma.

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful, research-backed approach originally designed to help individuals heal from the emotional impact of trauma. Whether you're carrying the weight of a single distressing event or years of painful experiences, EMDR offers a structured path toward relief and integration. If you are not sure if you have experienced trauma, read our blog post: How Do I Know If I Have Trauma?

Using an eight-phase process and bilateral stimulation (often through guided eye movements), EMDR helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer feel overwhelming. As these memories lose their emotional charge, healthier beliefs and emotional responses can take root.

Originally developed to treat PTSD, EMDR has since proven effective for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, addiction, and OCD. Its versatility and depth make it a transformative tool for anyone seeking lasting emotional healing and nervous system regulation.

Why is EMDR effective?

EMDR therapy is grounded in the pioneering work of Francine Shapiro, who discovered that bilateral stimulation can unlock the brain’s natural ability to process and heal from trauma. Her research revealed that when distressing memories aren’t fully processed, they can remain “frozen” in the nervous system, triggering emotional pain, anxiety, or physical discomfort long after the original event has passed.

Shapiro noted that engaging in rapid eye movements could facilitate access to unprocessed memories stored within the brain. This discovery led her to understand that when memories are not fully processed, they can lead to significant emotional and physiological pain, discomfort, and distress, even in the absence of the original triggering events.

These unprocessed memories often show up as flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or intense emotional reactions that feel out of proportion to the present moment. EMDR helps “unfreeze” these stuck experiences by activating the brain’s innate healing mechanisms. Through a structured and supportive process, clients can safely revisit and reprocess painful memories, allowing emotional relief and healthier beliefs to emerge.

This is what makes EMDR so powerful; it doesn’t just manage symptoms, it helps resolve the root cause.

When traumatic memories remain unprocessed, we see and feel them everywhere.

EMDR therapy isn’t about erasing your memories or minimizing what you’ve been through. Instead, it helps take the emotional intensity out of those memories so they no longer feel overwhelming. Through gentle bilateral stimulation, EMDR supports your brain in processing painful experiences more fully. This way, they can become part of your story without continuing to cause distress.

EMDR therapy does not aim to erase memories or diminish the significance of the experiences that have shaped an individual’s life. Rather, it focuses on reducing the distress associated with recalling these memories.

Through EMDR therapy, many people begin to shift the painful beliefs they’ve carried, like “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t deserve love.” As the emotional weight of past experiences lifts, these old stories start to lose their grip. EMDR helps you reframe how you see yourself, opening the door to greater confidence, self-worth, and resilience.

Thanks to Francine Shapiro’s groundbreaking work, EMDR has become a powerful path for healing. By using bilateral stimulation to support the brain’s natural ability to process difficult memories, EMDR doesn’t just ease emotional pain, it helps you grow, heal, and reconnect with your inner strength.

Who Would Benefit from EMDR Therapy?​

Have you experienced painful events or trauma that still feel heavy, even if they happened long ago? These experiences can show up in everyday life as constant overwhelm, anxiety, anger, or sadness, making it hard to feel grounded or hopeful about the future. You might notice these feelings creeping in when you're alone, navigating relationships, or trying to make decisions.

You may also struggle with low self-esteem, feel stuck in unhealthy relationship patterns, or carry a deep sense of isolation or hopelessness. Many people also wrestle with beliefs like “I’m unworthy” or “I’m unlovable,” which can make healing feel out of reach.

EMDR therapy offers a way forward. It’s a gentle, structured approach that helps you process the emotional pain tied to past experiences so you can begin to feel more present, empowered, and connected to yourself. If any of this resonates, EMDR might be a meaningful step toward healing.

What Can I Expect from EMDR therapy?

If you are interested in exploring the EMDR, it is essential to communicate your interest to your therapist. This dialogue can initiate a collaborative process where your therapist can assess your needs and consider whether EMDR might be a suitable addition to your current treatment plan.

Even if your therapist does not possess formal training in EMDR, there may still be opportunities for you to engage in adjunct therapy sessions that complement your existing therapeutic practices. These adjunct sessions can provide you with additional support and techniques that align with the principles of EMDR, thereby enhancing your overall therapeutic experience. You can expect each session to maintain a duration similar to that of a standard therapy session, typically around 55 minutes, allowing for a focused and structured approach to your mental health needs. 

Facing the painful parts of your past isn’t easy, but when you’re able to process them fully, something powerful happens. The weight begins to lift, and hope starts to return

The initial phases of EMDR involve careful planning of your treatment, where you and your therapist will collaboratively establish goals and identify the specific issues you wish to address. This is followed by the preparation and stabilization phase, when you will work on developing coping strategies and resources to manage any distress that may arise, as well as identifying and articulating the beliefs, emotions, images, and bodily sensations associated with the target memories that you will be processing.

Once you have established a strong foundation, you will move into the reprocessing phase, where you will utilize bilateral stimulation to facilitate the processing of your memories in a safe and supportive environment. Throughout this process, your therapist will be there to support you, ensuring that you feel secure and validated as you navigate through the various phases of EMDR therapy. This comprehensive approach not only addresses the symptoms of trauma but also fosters personal growth and resilience, paving the way for a more fulfilling life.

🌱 Taking this step is an act of courage. If you’re ready to begin, schedule an appointment with one of our EMDR-trained counselors today. You deserve to feel seen, supported, and empowered on your path to healing.

📞 Ready when you are. You can Schedule Now via our webpage (free consultations available)

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