What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based modality that helps those who have depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and/or trauma. EMDR was created by Francine Shapiro in the 1980’s. She developed this by accident! She was walking in a park, thinking about a troubling event that happened, and letting her eyes bounce back and forth from left to right. After doing this several times, she realized, “Hey, that problem that was bothering me isn’t bothering me as much anymore!” (I’m sure she used much fancier terminology than I did in this blog haha). She then went back to her university and tried this method with some of her classmates. They too said that it seemed to work on troubling thoughts that they had about themselves! This is where EMDR all began.
How EMDR Works
If you’ve experienced trauma, anxiety, or overwhelming stress, you may have heard of EMDR therapy and wondered: How does that actually work?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. While the name sounds technical, the idea behind EMDR is surprisingly simple.
Why Trauma Feels “Stuck”
When something overwhelming or frightening happens, the brain doesn’t always process it the way it normally would. Instead of becoming a past memory, the experience can feel like it’s still happening.
This can show up as:
Flashbacks or intrusive thoughts
Strong emotional reactions that feel out of proportion
Anxiety, panic, or feeling constantly on edge
Avoiding people, places, or situations that remind you of the event
It’s not a weakness or a failure—it’s your nervous system trying to protect you.
What EMDR Does Differently
EMDR helps the brain finish processing difficult memories so they no longer trigger intense reactions or emotions.
During EMDR, you’ll be asked to briefly think about a distressing memory while following gentle back-and-forth movements, sounds, or taps guided by the therapist. This back-and-forth stimulation helps the brain shift how the memory is stored.
Over time, the memory usually becomes:
Less vivid
Less emotionally intense
Easier to think about without becoming overwhelmed
You still remember what happened—but it no longer feels like it’s happening now.
You Don’t Have to Relive the Trauma
One of the biggest concerns people have about trauma therapy is having to retell painful details.
With EMDR:
You don’t have to describe everything out loud
You stay grounded in the present
The process moves at a pace that feels manageable
Many people find this approach gentler than traditional talk therapy.
How Beliefs and Emotions Shift
Trauma often leaves people with painful beliefs like:
“I’m not safe”
“It was my fault”
“I can’t trust anyone”
As EMDR helps the brain reprocess the memory, these beliefs often begin to change naturally—without forcing positive thinking. People commonly report feeling more grounded, confident, and at peace after completing an EMDR session.
Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR can be helpful for many people, including those who have experienced:
Trauma or PTSD
Anxiety or panic
Childhood or developmental trauma
Distressing life events that still feel unresolved
I can help determine if this approach is a good fit for you.
