What Is EMDR Therapy & How Does It Work?
What Is EMDR Therapy and How Does It Work?
Perhaps you have heard about EMDR and wondered what it is. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a type of structured therapy developed in the 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro. Dr. Shapiro recognized that when she moved her eyes side to side while walking and recalling a disturbing memory, the memory lost its negative impact.
Today, EMDR involves having the client focus briefly on the disturbing memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation or BLS, which may include eye movements, tapping, listening to auditory tones, or hand-held buzzers. The type of BLS is tailored to your comfort and needs, ensuring that the process feels safe and supportive. This procedure helps your brain reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional intensity and leaving you feeling calmer and more in control. What makes EMDR unique is its gentle and efficient approach to helping individuals process challenging experiences without requiring them to relive every painful detail.
What Conditions Can EMDR Help Treat?
Although EMDR was originally designed to treat trauma, its applications have since expanded significantly. Research shows that EMDR can be highly effective for:
Trauma: Processing memories from past or recent events
Anxiety disorders: General anxiety, panic attacks, and performance-related stress
Phobias: Overcoming fears that impact daily life
Depression: Alleviating emotional pain tied to unresolved experiences
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Reducing compulsions linked to intrusive thoughts
Addictions: Addressing emotional triggers that fuel substance use
Chronic pain: Helping manage the emotional aspect of physical discomfort
Often, EMDR is integrated with other therapies to address the client’s specific symptoms and needs.
Using EMDR to Prepare for Future Challenges
EMDR therapy isn’t just for processing past events—it can also be a powerful tool for preparing for future distressing situations. By using EMDR to process anticipated challenges, such as an upcoming presentation, or a high-stakes event, clients can reduce anxiety and build confidence. This proactive approach helps the brain process fears associated with the future, allowing you to face these situations with greater calm and control.
A Therapist’s Perspective on EMDR
As a therapist, I’ve seen how EMDR therapy transforms lives. Clients come to therapy feeling burdened by unresolved emotions or memories and leave with a renewed sense of clarity and ease.
I use EMDR in my practice to address a variety of concerns, including:
Trauma: From childhood experiences to recent events
Generalized Anxiety: Helping clients manage persistent worry
Performance Anxiety: Assisting with confidence in high-stress situations
Phobias and Fears: From public speaking to flying
Panic Attacks: Reducing the intensity and frequency of sudden, overwhelming episodes of panic
Preparation for Future Challenges: Helping clients reprocess fears and anxieties tied to anticipated challenges, such as an upcoming performance, a difficult conversation, or a life transition. By addressing these concerns in advance, clients can approach future situations with greater confidence, emotional stability, and a sense of control.
EMDR is more than a therapy—it’s a tool for reclaiming balance and clarity in your life. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, or a challenging life experience, EMDR therapy offers a compassionate and effective way to heal and thrive.
If you’re looking for support with trauma, navigating post-traumatic growth, or to learn more—just click below: