What Is EMDR? A Powerful Path to Healing Trauma
If you've heard about EMDR therapy and wondered what it actually involves, you're not alone. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that helps you heal from trauma and emotional distress by using eye movements or other bilateral stimulation while processing difficult memories.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn't require you to discuss traumatic events in detail for hours. Instead, this structured approach helps your brain process disturbing memories more naturally, similar to how your body heals from physical wounds. The therapy has gained widespread recognition from the World Health Organization and American Psychological Association because of its proven effectiveness.
Whether you're dealing with PTSD, anxiety, or trauma that shows up in your relationship with food and your body, understanding how EMDR works can help you decide if it's right for your healing journey.
Understanding EMDR: What the Name Means
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a specialized form of psychotherapy developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro. Each part of the name describes what happens during treatment:
Desensitization means reducing your emotional response to traumatic memories. When you recall distressing events during EMDR, they become less overwhelming over time. You can remember what happened without experiencing the same intense fear, shame, or panic.
Reprocessing refers to how your brain stores memories differently after treatment. Traumatic memories often get stuck in your brain in ways that cause ongoing distress, triggering you years after the original event. EMDR helps move these memories into proper storage where they belong.
How EMDR Works: The Role of Bilateral Stimulation
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to activate both sides of your brain while you process traumatic memories. This typically involves eye movements, where you follow your therapist's finger or a light bar moving back and forth. The bilateral stimulation can also include alternating sounds through headphones or gentle taps on alternating sides of your body.
This process helps your brain integrate traumatic memories more naturally. Think of it like this: when you experience trauma, your brain's normal processing system gets overwhelmed. The memory gets stored incorrectly, remaining vivid and emotionally charged. EMDR helps your brain complete the processing work it couldn't do at the time of the trauma.
You don't need to describe your trauma in detail during EMDR therapy, making it helpful if talking about your experiences feels too difficult or overwhelming. This approach works particularly well for people who feel disconnected from their bodies or struggle with traditional talk therapy.
The Eight Phases of EMDR
EMDR follows a structured eight-phase approach that ensures safe and effective treatment. Not every phase happens in each session, and your therapist may spend more time in certain phases based on your needs.
Phase 1-2: History-Taking and Preparation
I begin by learning about your background, trauma history, and current symptoms. Together, we identify which memories need processing first and create a treatment plan that honors your pace.
The preparation phase focuses on building safety and trust. You learn grounding techniques and coping skills to use during and between sessions. This foundation is crucial, especially if you've experienced complex trauma or struggle with eating disorders or body image issues related to trauma.
Phase 3-6: Assessment and Processing
During assessment, we identify the specific memory to work on. You'll describe images, thoughts, and feelings connected to that memory. We measure your distress level and identify the negative belief you hold about yourself because of this experience.
The desensitization phase begins the active processing work. You focus on the traumatic memory while following bilateral stimulation. Your distress level gradually decreases as your brain reprocesses the memory.
Installation follows, where you connect a positive belief to the processed memory. This belief replaces negative thoughts you had about yourself. We strengthen this positive belief until it feels completely true.
Phase 7-8: Closure and Reevaluation
Every EMDR session ends with closure, whether processing is complete or not. I guide you back to feeling calm and stable using the coping techniques we practiced earlier. This ensures you leave the session feeling grounded in the present moment.
Each new session starts with reevaluation, checking that processed memories still feel neutral and discussing how you've felt since the last session.
When EMDR Can Help
According to the EMDR International Association, this therapy effectively treats numerous conditions:
Trauma and PTSD
EMDR is particularly effective for trauma therapy, addressing experiences like:
Childhood abuse or neglect
Sexual assault or violence
Car accidents and physical injuries
Natural disasters
Medical trauma
Witnessing violence
Post-traumatic stress creates symptoms that interfere with daily life. You might feel constantly on edge, have trouble sleeping, or avoid situations that remind you of the trauma. EMDR helps your brain process these memories so they become less emotionally charged.
Anxiety and Depression
EMDR works well for anxiety and depression when these conditions stem from difficult life experiences. Your anxiety might come from past events that created fear responses. EMDR can help reduce these automatic reactions.
Eating Disorders and Body Image
In my practice, I've seen how powerfully EMDR addresses trauma underlying eating disorders and body image struggles. Many people develop disordered eating patterns or negative body image as coping mechanisms for trauma.
If you experienced body-related trauma (assault, medical procedures, comments about your body, diet culture harm), EMDR can help process these memories without re-traumatizing you. You can begin to reconnect with your body as a safe place rather than something to control or punish.
Other Conditions
EMDR also helps with:
Panic attacks and phobias
Grief and loss
Nightmares and flashbacks
Relationship difficulties stemming from trauma
Performance anxiety
What Makes EMDR Different
Faster Results
Research shows EMDR often yields results faster than traditional talk therapy. This happens because it targets the emotional core of traumatic memories directly rather than relying only on verbal processing. Many people see significant improvement in 6-12 sessions, though complex trauma may require longer treatment.
Body-Based Healing
EMDR recognizes that trauma lives in your body, not just your mind. The bilateral stimulation helps release physical tension and nervous system activation that keeps you stuck in survival mode. This makes it particularly effective for people who feel disconnected from their bodies or struggle with somatic symptoms.
Less Talking Required
You don't need to verbally describe traumatic events in detail. This proves especially helpful if talking about your trauma feels too overwhelming or if you have difficulty accessing memories through words alone.
Integration with Other Therapies
In my practice, I often combine EMDR with other therapeutic approaches. If you're working on eating disorder recovery, we might use EMDR to process trauma while also addressing your relationship with food and body image through other methods.
For clients dealing with relationship issues or postpartum challenges rooted in trauma, EMDR can clear the way for healthier patterns and connections.
What to Expect in EMDR Therapy
During Sessions
EMDR sessions typically last 60-90 minutes. You'll spend part of the time processing memories with bilateral stimulation and part of the time discussing your experience and ensuring you feel stable.
Processing can bring up distressing emotions and physical sensations temporarily. This is normal and actually indicates your brain is doing the healing work. I'll help you manage these experiences safely, and we'll never push faster than you're ready to go.
Between Sessions
Some people process memories between sessions through dreams or spontaneous insights. Others notice their distress about certain triggers gradually decreases. You might also experience temporary increases in symptoms as your brain continues processing, though this usually resolves quickly.
Treatment Timeline
The number of sessions you need varies based on trauma complexity. Single-incident trauma may resolve in 3-6 sessions, while complex developmental trauma often requires longer treatment. We'll work at your pace, honoring your timeline and internal wisdom about what you're ready to process.
Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR works well for many people, but it requires proper assessment to ensure it fits your specific situation. You need a foundation of emotional stability and coping skills before beginning memory processing work.
Consider EMDR if you:
Have traumatic memories that feel stuck or overwhelming
Struggle with traditional talk therapy
Feel disconnected from your body
Experience flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts
Want to address trauma underlying other issues like eating disorders
EMDR may not be appropriate if you:
Have active psychosis or severe dissociation
Lack adequate coping skills for managing distress
Are in an actively dangerous situation
Have certain medical conditions affecting eye movement
I'll carefully assess whether EMDR is right for you during our initial consultation and ensure you have the necessary foundation before beginning processing work.
A Liberation-Focused Approach to EMDR
At the heart of my work with EMDR therapy is a commitment to liberation. You deserve to break free from trauma that's been holding you back, from the survival patterns that once protected you but no longer serve you, and from the disconnection between your mind and body.
EMDR offers a path to reclaim your sense of safety, reconnect with your body, and move through the world without being constantly triggered by past experiences. Whether your trauma shows up as PTSD symptoms, disordered eating, relationship difficulties, or chronic anxiety, EMDR can help you process what happened and move forward.
Moving Forward
Healing from trauma is possible with the right support. EMDR provides a proven, efficient path to processing difficult memories and reducing their impact on your daily life.
If you're ready to explore how EMDR might support your healing journey, I offer both in-person sessions in Denver and telehealth options. You can learn more about my EMDR therapy services or explore my full range of services.
Contact me to schedule an initial consultation where we can discuss whether EMDR is right for you and create a treatment plan that honors your needs and pace.
Remember: you don't have to carry trauma alone. With proper support and evidence-based treatment like EMDR, you can move from surviving to thriving.