
- What Is EMDR Therapy?
- What the Research Says About EMDR
- How EMDR Compares to Other Therapies
- Benefits and Drawbacks of EMDR Therapy
- How to Choose the Right EMDR Therapist
- Who EMDR May Not Be Right For
- Signs That EMDR Is Working
- What Happens Between Sessions — and How to Manage It
- You Do Not Have to Stay Stuck in What Happened to You
- People Have EMDR Success Stories
- EMDR Therapy FAQs
- How many EMDR sessions will I need?
- Does EMDR work for anxiety and depression, not just PTSD?
- Will I have to describe my trauma in detail during EMDR?
- Is online EMDR therapy as effective as in-person?
- What does bilateral stimulation actually feel like?
- Can EMDR make things worse?
- How is EMDR different from hypnosis?
Maybe your therapist mentioned it. Maybe a friend told you it changed their life. Maybe you read something online and thought it sounded either too good to be true or too strange to take seriously.
Eye movements? Tapping? Processing painful memories without having to tell the whole story out loud?
It sounds unlike anything else in therapy — and in many ways, it is.
EMDR — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — is a well researched, highly recommended trauma therapy globally. It is endorsed by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a frontline treatment for PTSD. It has helped millions of people move past experiences that years of talk therapy alone could not touch.
And yet, for something so well-established, it is still widely misunderstood. Many people walk into their first EMDR session not really knowing what is about to happen, why it works, or what to expect afterward.
This page is designed to change that.
Curious if EMDR is right for you? Let’s Talk
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR was developed in 1987 by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro, who noticed that certain eye movements seemed to reduce the distress attached to difficult thoughts. Over the following decades, she developed a structured, eight-step approach that has since been tested in more than 30 clinical trials and is practiced by over 110,000 trained therapists worldwide.
The core idea behind EMDR is straightforward: your brain has a natural ability to process and make sense of difficult experiences. When something traumatic happens, that process can get stuck. The memory ends up stored in its raw, unfinished form — carrying the original images, emotions, physical feelings, and beliefs — exactly as they were in the moment it happened.
Instead of being filed away as something that is over, it stays active in your nervous system, ready to be set off by anything that reminds you of the original experience.
This is why a combat veteran might hit the floor when a car backfires. Why someone who was assaulted might panic at a certain smell. Why you might feel the same shame you felt as a child when your boss criticizes your work today.
The memory has not been fully processed. Your brain is still treating it as if it is happening right now.
EMDR uses a technique called bilateral stimulation — most commonly guided eye movements, but sometimes gentle tapping or audio tones — to activate your brain’s natural processing system while you hold a difficult memory in mind. This gives the brain the chance to do what it was designed to do but could not at the time: make sense of the memory, update the beliefs attached to it, and file it away as something that happened in the past rather than something that is still happening.
EMDR does not erase memories. It changes your relationship to them. The memory stays, but the emotional weight — the panic, the shame, the helplessness — fades. What once felt like a live wire becomes something you can hold without being burned.

What the Research Says About EMDR
The evidence behind EMDR is not anecdotal — it is extensive. Here is a plain-English summary of what the research shows:
77–90% of single-trauma PTSD patientsno longer meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD after just 3–6 EMDR sessions. (Shapiro, 2018)
84.9% effectiveness rate in large-scale studies for single-incident trauma, with results achieved in approximately three 90-minute sessions. (Wilson et al., 1997)
110,000+ trained therapists in more than 130 countries practice EMDR, making it one of the most widely used trauma therapies in the world. (EMDR International Association)
Lower dropout rates than other trauma therapies — estimated 0–20% compared to 28–38% for Prolonged Exposure therapy. (Ironson et al., 2002)
Lasting results — treatment gains hold up at 15-month follow-up and beyond. (Wilson et al., 1997)
Endorsed by 7 major organizations as a frontline treatment for PTSD — including the WHO, the American Psychological Association, and the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense.

How EMDR Compares to Other Therapies
Understanding how EMDR fits within the broader world of therapy can help you make a more informed decision about your care.
EMDR vs. Prolonged Exposure (PE)
Both are considered gold-standard treatments for PTSD. Prolonged Exposure requires you to repeatedly recount the traumatic memory in detail — which is effective, but can feel overwhelming and has higher dropout rates (28–38%) compared to EMDR (0–20%). EMDR produces comparable results without requiring that level of detailed narration, and often in fewer sessions.
EMDR vs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT works by identifying and challenging unhelpful thought patterns through conscious, rational thinking. It is effective for many conditions, but it approaches trauma mainly through the thinking layer. EMDR works more directly with the memory itself — reaching the emotional and physical dimensions that thinking alone often cannot resolve. For people who feel like they “know” what happened but still can’t stop reacting to it, EMDR tends to offer a more direct path to relief.
EMDR vs. Traditional Talk Therapy
Traditional talk therapy is valuable for building self-awareness, working through meaning, and feeling heard. But for trauma specifically, research shows it is significantly less effective on its own than structured trauma-processing approaches like EMDR. Many people spend years in talk therapy gaining insight into their trauma — without experiencing any reduction in how strongly it still affects them. EMDR is designed to produce that shift.
EMDR vs. Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Somatic Experiencing works with the physical sensations stored in the body and can be especially helpful for people who dissociate easily or who don’t have clear narrative memories of their trauma. EMDR also addresses the body’s response to trauma but follows a more structured process. Many trauma specialists combine both approaches — using SE to build body awareness and EMDR for targeted memory processing.
“I spent three years in therapy talking about what happened to me. I understood it intellectually. But my body still reacted the same way every time. EMDR was the first thing that changed what I felt, not just what I knew.”

Benefits and Drawbacks of EMDR Therapy
Benefits
- Fast results for single-incident trauma — many people see meaningful improvement in just 3–6 sessions
- You do not have to describe your trauma in detail, which lowers the risk of feeling overwhelmed or retraumatized
- Works on the emotional, physical, and mental dimensions of trauma at the same time — not just the thinking layer
- Lower dropout rates than most other trauma therapies
- Useful beyond PTSD — research supports its effectiveness for anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, performance anxiety, and chronic pain
- Results last — follow-up studies confirm that improvements are maintained well beyond the end of treatment
- Can be used with children, teenagers, and adults
Things to Be Aware Of
- Processing does not always stop when the session ends. In the day or two after a session, you may notice vivid dreams, stronger emotions, or memories coming to the surface — this is normal and temporary
- Sessions can be emotionally tiring. Some people feel drained afterward, as though their body has done a hard workout
- EMDR works best when there is a solid foundation in place first. If you are currently in crisis or do not yet have basic tools for managing distress, your therapist will spend time building those before any reprocessing begins
- Not every therapist who offers EMDR has had the same level of training — we explain what to look for below
- For complex, long-standing trauma, EMDR is rarely a quick fix. It often works best as part of a broader, phased treatment plan
- Some people experience mild physical side effects — headaches or fatigue — as the nervous system adjusts
The discomfort that sometimes follows an EMDR session is not a sign that something is going wrong. It is a sign that something is moving. Healing, by its nature, involves a period of adjustment before things settle into a new normal.
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How to Choose the Right EMDR Therapist
Not all EMDR providers have the same level of training, and knowing the difference can make a real impact on your experience. This is one of the most important things to understand when looking for EMDR therapy — and one of the least talked about.
EMDR-Trained
A therapist described as “EMDR-trained” has completed the foundational training program — roughly 40–50 hours of instruction including supervised practice. This gives them a solid working knowledge of the protocol. That said, the depth of experience beyond that basic training varies widely from one therapist to the next.
EMDRIA Certified
A therapist certified by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) has gone a step further — completing at least 20 additional hours of supervised consultation with an approved consultant, and a minimum of 50 EMDR sessions with at least 25 clients. Certification reflects a higher level of demonstrated skill and an ongoing commitment to the approach.
EMDRIA Approved Consultant
This is the highest level of EMDRIA credentialing. An Approved Consultant has completed extensive additional training and is authorized to supervise and consult other EMDR clinicians. It represents deep expertise in the modality.
Questions to Ask a Potential Provider
- Are you EMDR-trained, EMDRIA Certified, or an Approved Consultant?
- How many EMDR clients have you worked with since completing your training?
- Do you follow the full eight-phase protocol?
- What kinds of issues do you most commonly treat with EMDR?
- How do you approach stabilization for clients with complex trauma?
- Do you receive ongoing supervision or consultation for your EMDR work?
Certification does not automatically guarantee a good fit — a well-trained therapist with solid clinical experience can be excellent. But if you are dealing with complex trauma, childhood abuse, or deeply rooted issues, working with a certified or consultant-level clinician significantly increases the chances that your treatment will be delivered with the care and precision your situation calls for.
Who EMDR May Not Be Right For
EMDR is one of the most flexible and widely applicable therapies available — but it is not the right fit for every person or every situation. Being upfront about this is part of responsible, ethical care.
Active Psychosis or Severe Dissociation
EMDR reprocessing requires you to hold two things in mind at once — awareness of the present moment and access to a past memory. For someone experiencing active psychosis or severe, unmanaged dissociation, this may not be safely possible without significant specialist support and modifications to the standard approach.
Active Suicidal Crisis
EMDR reprocessing is not the right step when someone is in acute crisis. In those situations, the priority is safety, stabilization, and appropriate support. The preparatory stages of EMDR can still be used during this period — but targeted memory reprocessing waits until the person is stable enough to handle the temporary emotional intensity that processing can bring.
Limited Coping Skills
If you do not yet have reliable ways to manage emotional distress, diving into reprocessing can feel overwhelming. A responsible EMDR therapist will spend meaningful time in the preparation phase — teaching grounding techniques, building coping tools, and making sure you are ready before any reprocessing begins. Skipping this step is the most common mistake in EMDR practice.
Certain Medical Conditions
People with certain neurological conditions, recent eye surgery, or specific seizure disorders should speak with both their therapist and their doctor before starting EMDR. In many cases, alternative forms of bilateral stimulation — such as tapping or audio tones — can be used instead.
When the Main Issue Is Not Trauma-Based
If your primary concern is improving communication in your relationship, navigating a career change, or building a stronger sense of identity, EMDR may not be the first step. However, many of these concerns do have roots in unresolved past experiences — and a skilled EMDR therapist will help you explore whether that is the case before deciding on the best approach.
Signs That EMDR Is Working
EMDR does not always produce sudden, dramatic breakthroughs. For some people the shifts are fast and unmistakable. For others — especially those with long or complex trauma histories — the changes are more gradual and may only become clear in hindsight.
Here are the signs that tell you processing is taking hold:
Changes in How You Experience the Memory
- The memory feels more distant — more like watching a film than reliving an event
- The emotional intensity when you recall it has noticeably reduced
- You can think about what happened without your body going into alarm mode
- The negative belief the memory carried — “I am not safe,” “I am worthless” — begins to feel less true
- A more grounded belief — “It is over,” “I have value” — starts to feel more real
Changes in Your Daily Life
- Things that used to trigger a strong reaction now produce a milder or shorter one
- Sleep improves — fewer nightmares, easier to fall and stay asleep
- You are more present with the people around you, less stuck in your head
- You find yourself making different choices — setting limits, speaking up, taking steps you previously avoided
- Physical symptoms like chronic tension, jaw clenching, or stomach issues begin to ease
Changes in How You See Yourself
- The shame that shaped how you saw yourself starts to loosen
- You catch yourself thinking, “That was not my fault” — and actually meaning it
- You feel more like yourself than you have in a long time, or perhaps for the first time
“The memory is still there. But it’s like the volume got turned down. I can remember without drowning in it.”
What Happens Between Sessions — and How to Manage It
One of the least discussed parts of EMDR therapy is what happens after you leave the session. Because EMDR activates the brain’s processing system, that processing does not always stop when the session ends.
In the hours and days after a session, you may notice:
- Vivid or unusual dreams — sometimes connected to what you worked on, sometimes not
- Stronger emotions than usual — feeling tearful, irritable, or waves of sadness or anxiety
- Physical tiredness, as if your body has been through something demanding
- Memories surfacing that you had not thought about in years
- A general sense of feeling emotionally tender or raw for one to three days
These effects are temporary and are generally a sign that processing is active. That said, they can create real challenges at work and in your relationships — especially if the people around you do not understand what you are going through.
How to Talk to a Partner
You do not need to share the details of your sessions. What tends to help most is giving your partner a simple frame for what they are seeing:
“I’m doing a type of therapy called EMDR that helps my brain process difficult memories. After sessions, I may seem more emotional, tired, or quieter than usual. It’s not about you — it’s a normal part of the process and it’s temporary. The most helpful thing is a little space and patience. I’m doing this because I want to feel better — for me and for us.”
How to Talk to an Employer
You are not required to disclose that you are in therapy. If side effects are affecting your work, you can keep it simple:
“I’m receiving treatment for a health condition that occasionally affects my energy and concentration. I may need some flexibility with scheduling on treatment days. I’m actively managing it and don’t expect it to have a long-term impact on my work.”
If possible, consider scheduling sessions at the end of your workday or before a lighter day. Most people find the most intense processing happens in the first 24–48 hours, with things settling after that.
Self-Care Between Sessions
- Use the grounding and calming exercises your therapist teaches you — they are designed specifically for between-session moments
- Keep a short journal of anything that surfaces: images, dreams, emotions, physical sensations — your therapist will use this in future sessions
- Prioritize sleep, water, and basic physical care — your nervous system is working hard
- Avoid major decisions in the 48 hours after an intense session
- Be gentle with yourself — what you are doing takes real courage
You Do Not Have to Stay Stuck in What Happened to You
The memories that keep you up at night, the beliefs that tell you that you are not safe or not good enough, the way your body braces itself in situations that should feel ordinary — these are not character flaws. They are not signs of weakness.
They are the predictable result of experiences that were too much for your nervous system to handle at the time.
EMDR does not ask you to forget what happened. It does not ask you to forgive before you are ready, to narrate every detail, or to be strong. It only asks that you be willing to let your brain do the work it was built to do — with the support of a trained professional who knows how to make that process safe.
The people who seek EMDR are not broken. They are carrying something that was never meant to be carried indefinitely. Therapy is how you set it down — not by pretending it never happened, but by allowing it to become part of your story instead of the thing that defines it.
If you are in Utah, Texas, or Virginia and would like to explore whether EMDR is the right step for you, BridgeHope Family Therapy offers a free 15-minute consultation to help you find out.
Take the First Step — Reach Out Today
People Have EMDR Success Stories
“I think that I am healing more and more from past trauma. EMDR therapy and the individual talks we have through psychotherapy are going well. I’m learning to stay in the present and communication techniques when emotions are heightened.” Joanne, Utah
“I feel like I have been able to overcome some traumas that have been plaguing me for a long time and have forgiven some people that I needed to. I am finding that I can recognize things about myself now that I was not able to — and have been able to let go of issues I never knew were affecting me.” Tommy, Texas
EMDR Therapy FAQs
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
It depends on the nature and complexity of what you are working through. For a single traumatic event, many people see significant improvement in 3–6 sessions. For more complex or long-standing trauma, an average of 12 sessions tends to produce meaningful results — though some people need more. Your therapist will give you a clearer picture after an initial assessment.
Does EMDR work for anxiety and depression, not just PTSD?
Yes. While EMDR is best known as a trauma treatment, research supports its effectiveness for anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, chronic pain, and performance anxiety. Many of these conditions have roots in past adverse experiences, and EMDR’s ability to process those underlying memories often produces broader relief than treating the surface symptoms alone.
Will I have to describe my trauma in detail during EMDR?
No — and this surprises many people. EMDR does not require you to narrate what happened in full. You will be asked to bring the memory to mind and notice what comes up, but you do not have to tell the whole story out loud. This makes it particularly valuable for experiences that are too painful to put into words, or that involve circumstances you are not comfortable disclosing.
Is online EMDR therapy as effective as in-person?
Research supports the effectiveness of EMDR delivered via secure video platforms. The therapeutic relationship — which is the single most important factor in any therapy — can be built and maintained effectively online. BridgeHope Family Therapy offers online EMDR therapy across Utah, Texas, and Virginia via a HIPAA-compliant video platform.
What does bilateral stimulation actually feel like?
During eye movement bilateral stimulation, your therapist will move their fingers or a light bar side to side while you follow with your eyes — similar to watching something move across your field of vision. It is not uncomfortable, though it can feel unusual at first. Some people find tapping (light taps on the hands or knees) or audio tones (sounds that alternate between left and right) more comfortable. Your therapist will work with you to find what works best.
Can EMDR make things worse?
Temporarily, it can increase emotional intensity — this is normal and expected, not a sign that something has gone wrong. This is why stabilization and preparation are non-negotiable first steps. At BridgeHope, no reprocessing begins until there is a strong enough foundation to ensure that sessions move things forward, not backward.
How is EMDR different from hypnosis?
EMDR is not hypnosis and does not involve a trance state. You remain fully conscious, aware of your surroundings, and in control throughout every session. You can stop at any point. The bilateral stimulation activates your brain’s natural processing system — it does not put you in a suggestible or altered state.
REFERENCES
Chen, Y. R., et al. (2015). Efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for patients with PTSD: A meta-analysis of RCTs. PLOS ONE, 10(4).
Hembree, E. A., et al. (2003). Do patients drop out prematurely from exposure therapy for PTSD? Journal of Traumatic Stress, 16(6).
Ironson, G., et al. (2002). Comparison of two treatments for traumatic stress: EMDR and Prolonged Exposure. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(1).
Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
van der Kolk, B. A., et al. (2007). A randomized clinical trial of EMDR, fluoxetine, and pill placebo in the treatment of PTSD. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 68(1).
Wilson, S. A., Becker, L. A., & Tinker, R. H. (1997). Fifteen-month follow-up of EMDR treatment of PTSD and anxiety. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 65(6).
World Health Organization. (2013). Guidelines for the Management of Conditions Specifically Related to Stress. WHO.