What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a research-supported therapy that helps the brain reprocess overwhelming experiences so they no longer feel as intense in the present. Many people arrive saying, “I knowI’m safe now, but my body doesn’t feel that way.” EMDR helps the body and mind “catch up” with the present.
How it works (in plain language):
Trauma memories often get stored in a “raw,” sensory-heavy way - images, body sensations, startle responses - without the usual time stamp that says “this is over.” In EMDR, we briefly bring attention to a memory or trigger while engaging bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or tones that alternate left-right). This rhythmic back-and-forth helps your nervous system reprocess what was stuck, so you can remember the event without reliving it.
What a session looks like:
Preparation & safety. We build coping skills (breathing, grounding, containment) and clarify your goals.
Targeting. We map the memory “network” (past events, current triggers, future fears).
Reprocessing. Short sets of bilateral stimulation while you notice thoughts, images, sensations - always at a pace that feels safe enough.
Installation & body scan. We reinforce positive beliefs and check how the body is feeling after the work.
Closure & follow-up. We return to regulation and plan for between-session care.
What EMDR helps with:
PTSD and complex trauma; medical trauma and chronic pain; anxiety and panic; grief; phobias; shame; childhood wounds; and stress related to migration or resettlement. Clients often report fewer triggers, better sleep, and feeling “lighter” in their bodies.
Is it intense?
EMDR can be emotionally activating, which is why preparation is essential. You remain in control the whole time - we can slow down, pause, or switch to stabilizing tools at any point. Common short-term effects include vivid dreams or feeling a bit tired the next day; these usually settle as your system integrates the work.
Weekly vs. intensives:
Some clients prefer standard weekly sessions; others benefit from EMDR intensives (longer, focused blocks). Intensives can accelerate progress, especially when weekly therapy has felt slow or interrupted by life demands.
Choosing a therapist:
Look for EMDR basic training at minimum; EMDRIA Certification and Approved Consultant status indicate additional experience and mentorship. A good fit matters - safety, pacing, and cultural attunement are just as important as credentials.
Bottom line: EMDR helps your nervous system complete what trauma interrupted, so you can move through your life with more ease, connection, and choice.