Healing Through EMDR: What You Can Expect from This Powerful Therapy
Healing from trauma is never easy. It’s a deeply personal journey, but it’s one that offers hope and transformation. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the most effective forms of therapy for addressing trauma. Over 80% of survivors in clinical trials have experienced significant long-term relief, and research has shown that EMDR can be more rapid and effective than traditional therapies like trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.
Studies indicate that EMDR is not only effective, but also faster than many other therapies. In fact, 84-90% of single-trauma survivors no longer meet the criteria for PTSD after just three sessions. For multiple-trauma survivors, 77% no longer have PTSD after an average of six sessions. People also report rapid decreases in negative emotions, disturbing memories, and even physical symptoms. What’s remarkable is that these benefits continue even after treatment ends, showing lasting healing and progress.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a structured therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process trauma-related memories. It’s based on the idea that trauma can get "stuck" in the brain, and EMDR helps those memories be processed in a way that enables healing. It’s not just about talking through your trauma; it uses scientifically proven techniques to allow your brain to make sense of and release the emotional impact of past experiences.
The basic foundation of EMDR is a technique called bilateral stimulation. This involves rapid left-to-right eye movements (or other forms of stimulation like tapping or specific sounds) that mimic the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase of sleep, during which the brain processes emotions and memories. This process allows the brain to reprocess and release emotional weight tied to traumatic events at a faster rate.
What to Expect During EMDR Treatment
The Start: Your therapist will help you set goals and identify which traumatic memories you’ll work on first. This initial step ensures the therapy is focused on your most pressing needs and sets a clear direction for your healing.
The Session: During a typical EMDR session, you’ll recall a traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation. Your therapist will guide you through the process, which may involve eye movements or sounds. It’s normal to feel a range of emotions, and while it may be uncomfortable at times, this discomfort is part of the healing process. Your therapists may ask you how much you agree with statements like “I feel safe and comfortable in my body.”
Closing the session: Your therapist will help you create a plan on what to do if a session becomes overwhelming and how you'll bring yourself back down at the end of the session. Usually this involves creating a mental image of a "safe place" or "calm place" where you can go in your mind.
The Aftermath: After each session, you may feel emotionally drained or unsettled. That’s okay. The important thing is that with time, you’ll notice changes: less anger, fewer intrusive memories, and a sense of peace with your past. These shifts are the product of EMDR helping your brain process and release the trauma. Your therapist can help you plan self-care activities to do at home after treatment.
How Can EMDR Help Me?
EMDR is not just effective in reducing PTSD, it also helps alleviate a range of trauma-related symptoms. Research shows that EMDR can reduce the intensity of negative emotions and disturbing images while also easing physical symptoms tied to trauma. One study found that EMDR was more effective than Prozac in treating both trauma and depression, with participants continuing to improve even after treatment ended.
For example, one volunteer from &Rise shared her experience of using EMDR:
“Initially, I was really hesitant to try EMDR. I thought it sounded like pseudo-science. The whole idea seemed so foreign to me. In reality, I think I was afraid of confronting the extent of my traumas. Eventually, I agreed to try it for a few sessions. In full transparency, I didn’t feel any improvement for several weeks. If anything, I felt a bit worse. It wasn’t until about a month later that I started to notice a difference. I realized that I was no longer constantly tormented by intrusive thoughts or memories, my anger had become more manageable, and most importantly, that I was starting to forgive myself. ”
This story captures the essence of EMDR: it’s not easy or immediate, but over time, it can lead to lasting change. The healing process is ongoing, and it’s normal to experience emotional discomfort at first. You can expect to deepen your awareness of your patterns, which can lead to major shifts in perspective and big life changes. If you’re ready for that, the benefits are real, and they’re lasting.
Final Thoughts on EMDR
EMDR is not a quick fix; it’s a deeply transformative process. While it may be challenging, the impact of EMDR can be profound. Whether you’ve experienced a single trauma or multiple, EMDR offers a path to release the pain and find peace. It’s a method that’s been shown to work, and it’s one that’s worth exploring if you’re ready to heal from the past. Healing takes time, but with tools like EMDR, we can process our toughest experiences and find the peace we deserve.
Our counselors at &Rise don’t offer EMDR therapy as of now, but we’re working on finding funding sources. You can receive eight weeks of trauma-focused therapy through our free counseling program. If you’re ready to start the next phase of your healing journey, please reach out.
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