EMDR Therapy: 14 Things to Know for A Transforming Path to Heal Emotional Wounds
Navigating mental health struggles can often feel draining, daunting and overwhelming. For some of our clients we notice their symptoms showing up as intense anxiety, repetitive intrusive thoughts that are difficult to stop, or emotions that feel impossible to control. For others, it’s a racing heart in the middle of the night or a heaviness that lingers on. There are several factors that can make this journey more isolating including relationship challenges, past trauma, or mood changes.
While medication and traditional talk therapy can be important and effective parts of the healing process, they don’t always reach the deeper roots of distress that clients are often seeking. Intrusive thoughts, overwhelming emotions, and painful flashbacks often stem from unresolved experiences that talking alone may not fully untangle. Many people find themselves wishing for something more that helps not just with coping but with truly healing at the source.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 to help individuals struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). EMDR works by helping the brain process and reframe memories of traumatic or chronic stress, reducing the emotional intensity and lessening the lasting impact these experiences can have on daily life.
Several public figures have spoken openly about its impact, check this out to see what Prince Harry has to say about EMDR helping him with some long-standing anxiety triggers. Miley Cyrus also spoke about her EMDR experience in mid-2025.
What we’re covering here:
What is EMDR and how does it work?
Who would benefit from EMDR and who it might not?
Why is EMDR different and unique?
What is EMDR and how does it work?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy designed to help process traumatic or highly stressful memories.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses a technique called bilateral stimulation, which involves left to right eye movements, tapping, or sound cues to help the brain process memories that may be “stuck.”
When we experience trauma, the brain sometimes cannot fully process the event, causing the memory to remain locked in its original emotional state. This is why recalling certain events can still trigger intense emotions, as the brain reacts as if the trauma is still happening.
EMDR therapy provides a safe and supportive environment to revisit these memories. By gently engaging in bilateral stimulation, the brain will gradually reprocess the memory to reduce its emotional intensity and help it feel more like a part of the past rather than a present threat.
Who would benefit from EMDR?
EMDR is used to treat a variety of emotional and psychological issues in people of all ages, not just those who have survived trauma.
EMDR is for anyone who has experienced distressing or overwhelming events, including:
PTSD & Trauma Survivors – Veterans, first responders, or those affected by accidents, violence, or assault.
Childhood Trauma – Individuals who have experienced neglect, abuse, or early attachment wounds.
Anxiety – Chest pain, heavy breathing especially when linked to past experiences or unresolved trauma.
Lingering Emotional Pain – Even if an event doesn’t seem “traumatic,” EMDR can help process unresolved emotions.
Avoidance & Triggers – If certain places, people, or situations bring up fear or discomfort due to past experiences.
Phobias – Specific fears (e.g., flying, heights, animals) that stem from past negative experiences.
Grief & Loss – For those struggling to move forward after losing a loved one or experiencing major life changes.
Low Self-Esteem – If past experiences have shaped negative beliefs about yourself.
Performance Anxiety – Struggles with confidence in public speaking, sports, or other personal and professional goals.
EMDR helps those who:
Have experienced trauma, such as accidents, abuse, or violence
Struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, or intrusive thoughts
Feel “stuck” in painful memories that continue to impact daily life
Experience strong emotional reactions that feel overwhelming
Want to process stressful or distressing experiences in a safe, structured way
Although EMDR is powerful, it’s not for everyone, and that’s important to know if you’re considering going for this therapy.
EMDR may not be effective for those who are:
Struggling with managing heavy emotions
Actively using substances
Experiencing psychosis
These are not disqualifiers. Clients in these situations can still benefit from EMDR and may need additional support or preparation beforehand.
Why is EMDR different and unique?
EMDR does not require providing details about the traumatic experiences or retelling of your entire life history. Its structure engages patients by explaining how their brain stores emotional memories, enabling them to access their brain's natural healing mechanism.
EMDR is both body and brain oriented. It works with thoughts and feelings. This means it can address physical symptoms of distress, like chest tightness, a lump in the throat, or a sinking sensation in the stomach.
Focus on resolution, not reflection: EMDR isn’t about getting stuck in cycles of thought or behavior but rather to transform memories from a triggered state to a resolved state.
A tangible shift: Many clients report feeling lighter, calmer, and less reactive to experiences that once caused intense distress. This change isn’t the result of months of talking; it comes from helping the brain properly process and store those memories.
EMDR naturally enhances the brain’s ability to heal itself. It would be helpful for you to consult with a qualified EMDR practitioner to see if EMDR fits with your goal and issues. Healing won't come just from knowledge; sometimes it happens when your system feels safe enough to let go.
FAQs
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EMDR is especially helpful for people dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, or intrusive memories. If you notice symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, overwhelming emotions, or avoidance, EMDR might be a great fit.
During an initial consultation at Aligned Mind Therapy, we carefully assess your history and current struggles to determine if EMDR or another approach will best support your healing. Clients who see us are grappling with changes in their mood, repetitive intrusive thoughts, anxiety, trauma, relationship trouble and difficulty managing their emotions and have benefitted greatly from EMDR treatment.
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Trauma is defined as a response to an event or series of events that causes someone to feel unsafe, in danger, unwanted, unloved leading to overwhelming and long-lasting mental, or physical effects including
Single events: car accidents, assaults, fires, natural disasters, sudden deaths
Chronic: ongoing abuse, neglect, bullying
Complex: multiple traumatic events or often starting in childhood
These are some signs you may be experiencing effects of trauma:
Emotional: anxiety, irritability, numbness, sadness
Cognitive: flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, blame, negative beliefs
Physical: issues with sleep, body and muscle tension, panic, startle response and hypervigilance
Behavioral: avoidance, substance use, isolation, relationship struggles
Long-term/Subtle: mistrust, feeling unsafe, difficulty regulating emotions, chronic stress. -
Each session begins with a check-in and structured questions to help us determine our intentions for the session. During EMDR, we target specific memories, thoughts, emotions, and sensations that are unpleasant. It’s important to have a general roadmap, but the brain takes the lead in our sessions and the unraveling that’s done are often filled with new insights that help the recovery process. During reprocessing, your therapist will always be attuned to your specific reprocessing and make certain accommodations and adjustments as needed. Clients often say they feel a mix of emotions ranging from relief to new insights, and many appreciate the feeling of being fully supported by our therapists throughout the sessions.
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This varies greatly amongst clients with various factors, including complexities of trauma and symptom presentation. Clients often feel gradual improvement, even after a few sessions. Over the course of a few months, clients notice meaningful changes and progress. Those with complex trauma may need more time to work through multiple memories that can be linked together or beliefs that arise that block reprocessing. At Aligned Mind Therapy, we regularly review progress together and adjust treatment plans based on your needs.
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EMDR is generally safe as long as you are working with a therapist who is adequately trained and actively seeking consultation to improve their skills. Some people experience emotional discomfort while reprocessing, and this is normal and expected. Your therapist will teach you skills for managing these feelings.
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EMDR Institute founded by Francine Shapiro provides the following research about EMDR effectiveness. “Some of the studies show that 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer have post-traumatic stress disorder after only three 90-minute sessions. Another study, funded by the HMO Kaiser Permanente, found that 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple trauma victims no longer were diagnosed with PTSD after only six 50-minute sessions. In another study, 77% of combat veterans were free of PTSD in 12 sessions.” These statistics not only show how effective EMDR is but how quickly some level of relief can be felt.
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People suffering from extreme psychiatric disorders like psychosis usually do not benefit from EMDR therapy. Those who are emotionally unprepared to go back to painful memories or individuals who currently use alcohol or substance as coping may have limited benefit. If you are experiencing any of those circumstances, it doesn’t mean EMDR is excluded but your therapist would explore alternative approaches first.
At Aligned Mind Therapy, we conduct a thorough assessment ensures EMDR is safe and appropriate before beginning treatment.
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Look for therapists certified through EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) or with extensive specialized training. It is vital that an EMDR therapist be professionally trained and aware of the intricacies of EMDR treatment.
At Aligned Mind Therapy, we hold these credentials, and we are always striving to provide the best quality care. We prioritize building trust through individualized supportive care. We invite you to contact us to schedule a free consultation call to get to know us and see if we’re the right fit.
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Yes! EMDR is effective for various conditions linked to traumatic or distressing experiences, including anxiety, depression, phobias, and some somatic symptoms. We often integrate EMDR with other therapeutic techniques to create personalized treatment plans to ensure we are treating each unique client with the care you deserve.
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We often meet with clients who enter treatment skeptical, especially those who have never been in therapy before and those that have a hard time believing there’s a way out of the way they’ve been feeling for so long. We understand the skepticism that can arise and are present to answer any questions you may have about the process as well as formally introducing each step to you along the way.
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Your therapist will provide all information necessary on how to set yourself up for success to begin reprocessing. Plan for self-care between sessions as reprocessing can bring up strong emotional reactions. As we begin reprocessing your therapist will be there to support you throughout. You don’t need to share every detail of your past; EMDR targets specific distressing memories.
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No. Out of my time being an EMDR Certified therapist one of the most important aspects of EMDR to clients is that they are not required to share every intricate detail of their traumas and distressing memories. It is more about reprocessing than retelling.
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EMDR therapy is considered safe when performed by trained and certified professionals. At Aligned Mind Therapy, we complete a thorough assessment to check if it fits your needs. We invite you to contact us to get to know us and see if we’re the right fit.
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At Aligned Mind Therapy, we believe in making much needed EMDR care accessible by being in network with insurance companies. Please visit our Rates page for more information or reach out to us directly.
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At Aligned Mind Therapy, we offer EMDR services and in-network with insurances to all residents of New York State – please contact us for more information. If you are not a resident of New York, you can search the EMDR International Association for a therapist in your state.
