Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a powerful, well-researched therapy designed to help people heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. EMDR is a form of psychotherapy developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro that uses eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to assist trauma survivors in processing distressing memories and beliefs. At Wildflower, many of our clinicians are trained in EMDR, and we’ve seen its transformative impact firsthand. In this article, we’ll break down what EMDR actually is, how it works, and why it may be the right fit for you or someone you love.
What Is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly structured therapy. It encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing something called bilateral stimulation (typically side-to-side eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. EMDR therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. The first clinical trial occurred in 1989 and dozens of studies have continued to prove its efficacy.
During EMDR therapy, individuals are guided by a trained therapist and the goal is to help the person reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional intensity and promoting psychological healing. EMDR has been recognized for its effectiveness in alleviating symptoms related to trauma, anxiety, and other stress-related disorders.
How Does EMDR Work?
What makes EMDR unique is that it doesn’t rely solely on traditional talk therapy techniques. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation, often in the form of guided eye movements, sounds, or taps, while you recall distressing memories. This process is thought to mimic the brain’s natural way of processing information, particularly what occurs during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Over time, these memories become less emotionally charged, and individuals are able to shift their beliefs, reactions, and emotional responses related to the trauma.
During an EMDR session, your therapist will guide you through eight structured phases, beginning with history-taking and treatment planning. You’ll be supported in identifying a specific memory to target. While holding that memory in mind, your therapist will initiate a form of bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tones, or tapping).
As the session progresses, your brain is supported in reprocessing the memory, moving it from being a “stuck” traumatic experience to something that feels more manageable and less triggering. With time, new, more adaptive beliefs and emotions are able to emerge. EMDR has the capacity to ground us in the here and now, which is crucial during times of collective uncertainty and upheaval.
Who Can Benefit From EMDR?
Originally developed to treat PTSD, EMDR is now used to help individuals struggling with a range of challenges:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety and panic disorders
- Depression
- Phobias
- Grief and loss
- Chronic pain
- Childhood trauma
- Disturbing memories or flashbacks
- Birth traumas
- Perinatal and reproductive traumatic events
Research has even begun to show that EMDR may be effective in addressing issues during the perinatal period, such as trauma from childbirth, NICU stays, infertility, or previous pregnancy loss. As outlined in this article, EMDR may offer relief where traditional talk therapy has not been as effective, especially for memories that feel “stuck” and difficult to verbalize.
EMDR vs. Talk Therapy: What Makes It Different?
If you’ve been to therapy before, you may wonder how EMDR compares to more conventional approaches. While many therapies rely on verbally processing events, EMDR is experiential and non-linear. You don’t need to recount every detail of your trauma, in fact, some clients say very little during sessions. Instead, the focus is on what comes up internally as you engage in bilateral stimulation, allowing your brain to do the heavy lifting of healing.
EMDR and the Brain
EMDR supports your brain’s natural ability to process and store information. Traumatic memories are often not stored the same way as other memories, they can feel vivid, present, and overwhelming. EMDR helps shift these memories into long-term memory, allowing for integration and reduced emotional reactivity. Studies show that EMDR may work by facilitating communication between the brain’s limbic system (emotions) and the prefrontal cortex (logic and reasoning).
Why Now?
We’re living in a time where trauma, whether personal, collective, or intergenerational, is being more openly acknowledged. Healing is not only possible, it’s necessary. As emphasized in this reflection, EMDR offers us a chance to repair and root ourselves, even in the most shaky of times.
How to Get Started
Curious whether EMDR might be right for you? You’re not alone. Many people come to Wildflower unsure of what modality will best support them, and our intake team is here to help guide you in finding the right fit. EMDR may be one piece of a larger therapeutic journey, or it may become your primary tool for healing.
Reach out to our team to learn more, and explore if EMDR is the path forward for you.
Sources and Further Reading
Healing Through EMDR: Getting Grounded in Shaky Times
A Guide to Evidence-Based Therapies
Every Memory Deserves Respect: EMDR, the Proven Trauma Therapy with the Power to Heal – Michael Baldwin & Deborah Korn
Tapping In: A Step-by-Step Guide to Activating Your Healing Resources Through Bilateral Stimulation – Laurel Parnell
