What Is EMDR Therapy?
What is EMDR and How can it Help People Who’ve Been Through Something Hard?
Have you ever had a memory that made you feel upset, scared, or sad even though it happened a long time ago? That’s what trauma can feel like. Trauma is when something really stressful or scary happens, and the memory of it sticks in your brain and body in a way that feels like it won’t go away.
Luckily, there’s a kind of therapy that can help people feel better after going through tough experiences. It’s called EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. That’s a big name, so let’s break it down and explain what it means and how it works.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR is a special type of therapy that helps people heal from trauma or painful memories. Instead of talking about the memory over and over again, like in some other types of therapy, EMDR helps the brain process those memories so they aren’t so upsetting anymore.
In EMDR, a person thinks about the hard memory while doing something that helps both sides of the brain work together. Usually, that means moving their eyes side to side while following the therapist’s hand or watching lights move side to side. Sometimes, people tap their hands or feel gentle buzzes on each side of their body instead.
This side-to-side movement is called bilateral stimulation, and it’s a big part of how EMDR works.
Why Does It Help?
Our brains are amazing, and they’re really good at healing. But sometimes, when something very scary or upsetting happens — like an accident, bullying, abuse, or a big loss — the brain doesn’t know how to deal with it. The memory gets “stuck,” and it might pop up at random times or make the person feel anxious, angry, or sad without knowing why.
EMDR helps "unstick" those memories so the brain can store them in a healthier way. After EMDR, people still remember what happened, but it doesn’t feel as scary or painful anymore. It becomes just a memory, not a source of strong emotions.
What Happens in an EMDR Session?
During EMDR, the therapist will help the person feel safe and calm. Then, they’ll guide the person to think about a memory that’s bothering them. While the person is thinking about it, they’ll do the eye movements or tapping. After each round, the therapist will ask what the person is feeling or noticing. This continues until the memory feels less upsetting.
Later, the therapist helps the person replace those negative feelings and beliefs with more positive, helpful ones — like “I am strong” or “I am safe now.”
Who Can EMDR Help?
EMDR is used with people of all ages — including kids and teens — who have been through something hard. It helps with things like but not limited to:
Accidents or injuries
Natural disasters
Being bullied
Losing someone you love
Abuse or violence
It doesn’t take forever, and many people start to feel better after just a few sessions.
EMDR might sound a little different from what you’d expect therapy to be like, but it’s a powerful way to help people heal from trauma. If someone has memories that hurt too much or won’t go away, EMDR can help the brain work through them — and help that person feel calm, strong, and in control again.
Seek an EMDR Therapist at Attachment Based Therapy in Southern California
EMDR is a powerful tool for empowering clients to heal through their traumatic experiences. At Attachment Based Therapy Tx in Sierra Madre, CA, the majority of our therapists are trained and ready to help guide those who are struggling with painful memories to regain control of their lives. Fill out our contact form in order to schedule a complimentary consultation call.