What is EMDR and Other Commonly Asked Questions

What is EMDR and Other Commonly Asked Questions

When I share about EMDR therapy with clients, they understandably have lots of questions about it. In this post, I'd like to address the most common questions I've gotten from clients as we explore EMDR work together. For further resources and information, please see the links at the bottom of this page. 

What is EMDR? 

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This type of trauma-informed therapy supports clients in reprocessing upsetting and traumatic memories so they are no longer activating in the present. The underlying principle here is that mental health issues stem from maladaptively processed and stored traumatic events, creating unhelpful memory networks that become the template for how we operate in the world, from how we might react during conflict to our core beliefs about ourselves. 

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (BLS) through eye movements, tapping, or sound to help activate these maladaptively stored memories and shift them into more adaptive storage. Trauma often gets stored in our limbic system, the part of our brain that holds emotions, making it significantly activating to recall. When trauma is reprocessed, the memory moves to the prefrontal cortex, the part of our brain that makes meaning from events and helps us put language to them. This supports clients in recognizing that the traumatic events are from the past and helps subsequent current triggers have less of an emotional charge. 

I haven't experienced lots of trauma. How can EMDR benefit me? 

EMDR therapy can help not only with big “T” traumas like sexual assault and abuse but also with little "t" traumas like learned behaviors such as people-pleasing, codependency, perfectionism, and boundary-setting challenges. It effectively addresses and changes ingrained core beliefs, setting the foundation for future thriving.

What will I feel like in EMDR? Will I forget what happened to me? 

When we think of EMDR, we're going beyond the BLS. EMDR is a holistic process that involves gathering history, collaborative treatment planning, practicing resources to support reprocessing, and more. 

An analogy to describe the experience is this: We take the previously chosen memory and project it onto a screen during the BLS itself. You have complete control over the process, like using a remote to watch TV. You can pause, slow down, or remove any sensory elements of a memory that might be overwhelming (sounds, colors, smells, etc.). Just as you may have experienced being immersed in a TV show or movie, EMDR is also an immersive experience. But, there is always a dual awareness of being in the current space while reprocessing past memories.

EMDR will not cause you to forget or block out past experiences; rather, it will change how you perceive them. Common feedback from clients is that the event feels more factual than 

emotionally charged; it does not feel as activating for them anymore, and they view the situation more objectively, without shame, fear, etc.

How long does EMDR therapy typically last? The length of EMDR therapy really depends on each person's history and goals for therapy, but typically, EMDR can achieve your goals in a shorter amount of time than traditional talk therapy, with most clients beginning to feel some relief after an initial first few sessions and complete reprocessing, so after about 10-12 sessions. One benefit of EMDR is that you do not have to verbally share the details of your trauma, which supports care that does not re-traumatize clients. This being said, I believe that EMDR yields the best results in tandem with a strong therapeutic relationship, which can take some time to build. This relationship allows you to feel safe and comfortable in the EMDR process and trust that your therapist knows you well and can offer you the best support. My hope is that clients will feel grounded by the structure and steps involved in EMDR and that it will also feel organic as we collaborate together on your treatment plan. 

What is the success rate of EMDR therapy? 

EMDR successfully addresses various mental health concerns; the first studies of EMDR's success were with combat veterans experiencing PTSD symptoms (Carlson et al., 1998), and gradually, research has expanded to depression, anxiety, substance use, and more. If you'd like to learn more about research done around EMDR, please see the link at the bottom of this post.

Are there any potential side effects or risks associated with EMDR therapy?

In the reprocessing phase of EMDR, the work will bring up past painful experiences. Sometimes, clients may recall associated upsetting memories or have dreams related to the reprocessing work. This is normal, so in the preparation phase of EMDR, your therapist works with you to develop a toolkit of tailored resources to help manage any distress in and outside of sessions; think of these resources as coping skills to help ground you. If you are actively struggling with substance use or self-harm, there are special considerations around identifying and practicing additional coping strategies to support you in managing any distress that may arise between sessions.

If you'd like to learn more about how EMDR work can support you and your healing, I'd love to chat with you! Please feel free to reach out by clicking here. If you'd like to learn more about how EMDR work can support you and your healing, I'd love to chat with you! Please feel free to reach out by clicking here. I'm a trained EMDR therapist actively pursuing EMDRIA certification. Reach out by clicking here.

Still have more questions? 

→ If you'd like to learn more about EMDR as a whole, click here

→ If you're interested specifically in research around EMDR, click here

Sharon Yu