When people first hear about EMDR, it sounds strange. Eye movements. Tapping. Something about processing memories. It doesn't immediately sound like therapy, and that can make people hesitant.
EMDR is one of the most well-researched trauma treatments available. Once you understand what it's actually doing, it makes sense.
What EMDR stands for, and what it doesn't mean
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. The name is a little misleading. Eye movements are just one way to deliver bilateral stimulation, which is alternating left-right sensory input. Taps or tones work too. And desensitization is only part of what happens. The bigger goal is reprocessing: changing how a memory is stored so it stops activating your nervous system the way it used to.
Why some memories feel stuck
When something overwhelming happens, the brain sometimes can't process it the way it handles ordinary experiences. The memory gets stored incompletely, with the original emotions, sensations, and beliefs still attached. That's why trauma can feel so present years later. The memory hasn't fully processed. It's still active.
This is what happens when a smell, a tone of voice, or a specific look triggers a reaction that seems out of proportion to the moment. Your nervous system is responding to then, not now.
What happens in an EMDR session
EMDR sessions are structured differently from regular talk therapy. Before any processing begins, we spend time building resources: grounding techniques, a safe-place visualization, and a shared understanding of how your nervous system responds. You won't be asked to approach traumatic material before you're ready.
When processing begins, you'll bring a target to mind (a memory, image, or body sensation) while following bilateral stimulation. That might be my moving fingers, taps on your knees, or alternating sounds in your ears. You don't have to narrate or analyze anything. The processing often happens below language.
What people often notice is that the material shifts. Sometimes quickly, sometimes gradually. The memory becomes less charged. The beliefs tied to it start to feel less true. Physical tension loosens.
Who it's for
EMDR was developed for PTSD and remains one of the most effective treatments for it. It's also used for anxiety, phobias, depression rooted in past experiences, complicated grief, shame, and relationship patterns tied to early attachment.
If something still activates you in your body, your reactions, your sense of safety, even when you know you're okay, EMDR may be worth exploring.
A note on my training
I completed EMDR Basic Training Part I in April 2026 and am completing Part II. I'm actively working with clients using EMDR and will be fully trained upon Part II completion. If you have questions about where my training stands, I'm happy to talk through it when we connect.
References
Shapiro, F. (1989). Eye movement desensitization: A new treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 20(3), 211–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7916(89)90025-6
World Health Organization. (2013). Guidelines for the management of conditions specifically related to stress. WHO Press. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241505406
van der Kolk, B. A., Spinazzola, J., Blaustein, M. E., Hopper, J. W., Hopper, E. K., Korn, D. L., & Simpson, W. B. (2007). A randomized clinical trial of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), fluoxetine, and pill placebo in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 68(1), 37–46. https://doi.org/10.4088/jcp.v68n0105
Bisson, J. I., Roberts, N. P., Andrew, M., Cooper, R., & Lewis, C. (2013). Psychological therapies for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 12, CD003388. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003388.pub4
American Psychological Association. (2017). Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of PTSD. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline