Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy
(EMDR)
What is EMDR therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitizion and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is a structured form of psychotherapy most strongly associated with the treatment of trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Rather than focusing exclusively on talking through an experience, EMDR helps you work with the memories, emotions, beliefs, and physical reactions that may still be connected to it.
During portions of EMDR, your therapist may ask you to briefly bring a distressing experience to mind while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This commonly involves guided side-to-side eye movements, alternating sounds, or tapping.
The goal is not to erase the memory or convince you that what happened did not matter.
The goal is for the experience to become something you remember without continuing to experience it as though it is still happening.
What Can EMDR Help With?
EMDR has been studied most extensively as a treatment for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms.
The VA/DoD clinical guideline identifies EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Prolonged Exposure as recommended trauma-focused psychotherapies for PTSD.
Depending on your individual history and treatment needs, EMDR may be considered when distress is connected with experiences such as:
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traumatic or frightening events
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childhood trauma
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abuse or interpersonal violence
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sexual assault
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accidents or medical trauma
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grief and significant loss
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distressing memories that remain emotionally intense
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fear, shame, guilt, or negative beliefs connected with past experiences
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PTSD symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance, emotional reactivity, or feeling constantly on guard
Your therapist would work with you to determine whether EMDR was appropriate for what you were experiencing rather than assuming that every concern should be treated with EMDR.
What Happens During EMDR Therapy?
EMDR follows a structured eight-phase treatment model, but it is individualized to the person sitting in front of us.
Your therapist may work with you through several parts of the process:
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Understanding your history and goals. We identify the experiences, current triggers, beliefs, and patterns that appear most connected to what you were experiencing.
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Building preparation and regulation skills. Before deeper processing, we work on strategies that will help you stay grounded and manage emotional or physical activation.
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Processing distressing memories. When appropriate, bilateral stimulation is used while you briefly focus on elements of a memory, including thoughts, emotions, images, or body sensations.
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Strengthening healthier beliefs and checking your response. As processing progresses, we pay attention to changes in distress, physical sensations, and the beliefs you carry about yourself.
EMDR is not about forcing something to happen. Processing unfolds differently for different people, and treatment moves at a pace that is appropriate for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EMDR hypnosis?
No. You remain awake and aware throughout EMDR. You are able to communicate with your therapist, stop the process, and remain aware of what is happening around you.
Will EMDR make me forget what happened?
No. EMDR is not intended to erase memories. The goal is to reduce the distress and negative reactions associated with them so that remembering something does not have the same emotional impact.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
There is no universal number of sessions. Treatment length depends on your history, goals, current symptoms, complexity of the experiences being addressed, and how you respond to treatment. Some people have one clearly defined traumatic event, while others have experiences extending across many years.
Do we start processing trauma in the first session?
Usually not. Assessment, treatment planning, establishing safety, and preparation are important parts of EMDR. Your therapist will work with you to determine when trauma processing is appropriate.
What if I become overwhelmed?
You are not expected to push through something simply because EMDR has started. Your therapist can pause processing, help you ground, adjust the approach, or return to preparation work when needed.
Can EMDR therapy be done online?
Yes. EMDR can be adapted for telehealth when clinically appropriate. Online EMDR still involves working directly with a therapist rather than attempting to perform EMDR on yourself.
Is EMDR only for PTSD?
EMDR is best established as a treatment for PTSD and trauma-related difficulties. Therapists may integrate EMDR into treatment for other concerns when past distressing experiences appear connected to current symptoms, but whether EMDR is appropriate depends on the individual.