EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is one of the most researched and effective treatments available for trauma, PTSD, grief, and a wide range of distressing experiences. It was developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro and has since been recognized by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the VA as a front-line treatment for trauma.
As an EMDRIA-trained therapist, I use EMDR with individuals and couples in Mesa, Arizona and via telehealth. Here is what you should know before your first session.
What EMDR Actually Does
When something traumatic or deeply distressing happens, the brain sometimes fails to process the memory fully. The memory gets stored with all its original emotion, body sensation, and belief intact, ready to be triggered by anything that resembles the original experience. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, typically eye movements, tapping, or sounds, to help the brain finish the processing that got interrupted. The result: the memory loses its charge. You can recall it without being overwhelmed by it.
The 8 Phases of EMDR
EMDR is not a one-session fix. It is a structured, phased approach:
- History Taking: We map your history, identify targets for processing, and assess readiness.
- Preparation: We build your toolbox of coping skills and make sure you have ways to stabilize between sessions.
- Assessment: We identify the specific memory or experience to target, the negative belief attached to it, and the body sensation where it lives.
- Desensitization: Using bilateral stimulation, we process the memory until the distress decreases.
- Installation: We strengthen the positive belief you want to hold instead.
- Body Scan: We check for any remaining tension or sensation in the body.
- Closure: Every session ends with stabilization, no matter where we are in the process.
- Reevaluation: At the start of each new session, we check how the processing has integrated.
What EMDR Helps Most
While EMDR was originally developed for PTSD, research has expanded its application significantly. It is highly effective for:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Complex trauma and childhood wounds
- Grief and loss, including losing a loved one to suicide
- Relationship trauma and attachment injuries
- Performance anxiety
- Phobias and panic
- Shame and self-worth issues
What a Session Actually Feels Like
Most people are surprised by how natural EMDR sessions feel. You remain in control at all times. You do not need to narrate every detail of a trauma for it to process. Many people describe a sense of things shifting, like a weight lifting or a memory becoming less vivid and immediate. Between sessions, the processing often continues, and many clients notice changes in how they feel and react in daily life.
EMDR for Couples
EMDR can be powerful in couples therapy as well. Attachment injuries, emotional betrayals, and long-held resentments often have a traumatic quality. Processing these through EMDR within the couple context can unlock stuck dynamics that talk therapy alone cannot reach.
If you are curious whether EMDR might be right for you, the first step is a conversation. I offer evening appointments in Mesa and via telehealth in Arizona.
