What Is EMDR Therapy? A Path Toward Healing from Trauma

Have you ever felt stuck in a loop, reliving a painful memory as if it happened yesterday? You’re not alone. Many people who’ve experienced trauma find themselves haunted by the past, even when they desperately want to move on. That’s where EMDR therapy comes in—a powerful, research-backed treatment that’s helping people all over the world heal.

What Is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a form of psychotherapy developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. Originally designed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), EMDR has since been used to help with a wide range of mental health issues, including:

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Depression

• Grief and loss

• Phobias

• Chronic pain

• Performance anxiety

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How Does EMDR Work?

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require you to talk in detail about your trauma. Instead, it focuses on changing how distressing memories are stored in the brain.

The core of EMDR involves a process known as bilateral stimulation—usually guided eye movements, but it can also be tapping or auditory tones. While recalling a traumatic event, the therapist guides your eye movements from side to side. This stimulates both sides of the brain, helping it process and “reorganize” the memory in a way that’s less emotionally charged.

Think of it like defragmenting a hard drive: your brain files the experience differently, so it no longer feels like it’s happening in the present.

The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy

EMDR is a structured approach that takes place over eight phases:

1. History taking and treatment planning

2. Preparation (explaining the process, teaching relaxation techniques)

3. Assessment (identifying target memories)

4. Desensitization (bilateral stimulation while recalling the memory)

5. Installation (reinforcing positive beliefs)

6. Body scan (checking for lingering physical tension)

7. Closure (ensuring you feel stable before ending the session)

8. Reevaluation (checking progress in the next session)

   
   

What Does It Feel Like?

Many people say EMDR feels intense but freeing. Some experience vivid emotions or new insights, while others feel more emotionally neutral after a session. The effects tend to be long-lasting, with studies showing that EMDR can reduce symptoms of trauma in fewer sessions than traditional therapies.

Is EMDR Right for You?

If you’ve been carrying emotional pain that won’t go away, or you find yourself repeating negative or destructive patterns in your relationship with others or yourself, EMDR might be worth exploring. It’s especially effective for those who’ve tried talk therapy but still feel triggered or stuck.

Finding a Qualified EMDR Therapist

Look for a therapist certified by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) or trained in EMDR protocols.

We have several therapists at Place of Peace who are trained in EMDR and available to get started helping you to heal and grow today.

Stephanie Nelson

Travis Smeltzer

Asia Brown

Elizabeth Bain

You can read more about these options here: https://www.placeofpeacecounseling.com/therapists-wilmington-nc or schedule an appointment here:

Schedule an appointment

It's essential that you feel safe and supported--trust is key in trauma work, in order to help your brain feel calm enough for reprocessing work--so the most important thing is finding a therapist who feels like a good fit for you.

Final Thoughts:

Healing from trauma is not about forgetting—it’s about reclaiming your peace through healing your brain, and allowing you to take your life to the next level through replacing limiting core beliefs and patterns that result from trauma with more adaptive beliefs and patterns that better fit for your current environment. EMDR offers a way to do that, gently and effectively. If you’re ready to take the next step, a trained EMDR therapist can help guide you through the process.