What to Expect in an EMDR Therapy Session: A Step-by-Step Overview If you’re considering EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy , you may be wondering what the process is like and what you can expect during a session. Whether you’re seeking help with trauma, anxiety, or other emotional challenges, it’s natural to feel a bit unsure about what’s involved. In this blog, we’ll walk you through a typical EMDR therapy session—from your first consultation to the different phases of therapy and what healing might look like—so you can feel confident and prepared as you begin your journey toward healing. What Happens During the First EMDR Session? The first session is all about building trust and creating a safe, comfortable space for you to begin your healing process. Your therapist will likely start by gathering information about your history, including the specific challenges you’re facing, such as trauma, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties. During this initial consultation, you and your therapist will discuss: Your reasons for seeking therapy and your goals. Any traumatic experiences or memories that you’d like to address (although you don’t need to go into detail during this session). Logistical details, such as your preferences for the pace and approach of therapy. An overview of the EMDR process so you understand how it works. The goal is to ensure you’re comfortable and that the therapist understands your needs before diving into the more detailed aspects of EMDR . This helps set the foundation for a collaborative, effective therapeutic relationship. Step 1: History-Taking and Preparation After the initial consultation, the first formal phase of EMDR therapy begins. In this phase, you and your therapist will discuss your history in more depth, including any significant traumas or emotional challenges you’ve experienced. The therapist will ask you to identify target memories—specific moments or events that you’d like to work on. This stage is important because it allows the therapist to understand which memories are causing the most distress and which areas to focus on in your therapy. You’ll also work together to develop coping strategies to use between sessions, ensuring you feel equipped to handle any emotional discomfort that might arise during treatment. In preparation for processing trauma, the therapist will often introduce relaxation techniques to help you stay calm and grounded throughout the session. This might include mindfulness or breathing exercises, which will be helpful in the later stages of therapy. Step 2: Identifying Target Memories Once you’ve established a safe, supportive environment, the next step is to identify the specific memories that will be processed during your sessions. These are typically memories that are connected to unresolved trauma or distressing emotions. Your therapist may guide you to recall a traumatic event or a difficult feeling tied to that event. You don’t have to go into great detail during this phase—just the essence of the memory. This could involve recalling the image, thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations associated with the memory. You might also be asked to identify any negative beliefs or self-talk that arose from the traumatic experience (e.g., “I’m not safe,” “I’m not good enough”). Identifying these beliefs is crucial because EMDR therapy works to replace negative beliefs with more positive, adaptive ones. Step 3: Desensitization (Bilateral Stimulation) Now comes the core of the EMDR process: desensitization, which involves reprocessing the traumatic memory through bilateral stimulation (BLS) . Bilateral stimulation typically involves moving your eyes back and forth (as you follow the therapist’s hand), or tapping or listening to alternating sounds. This stimulates both hemispheres of the brain, helping to process the emotional and cognitive aspects of the memory. As you recall the memory while engaging in BLS, your therapist will guide you through the process, asking you how the memory or emotions shift. Over the course of the session, the emotional intensity of the memory tends to decrease, and your negative beliefs often begin to shift toward more empowering, positive ones. The goal of this phase is to help you process the traumatic memory so that it no longer causes emotional distress. It can take time, and you may need to revisit the memory several times before you begin to feel relief. Step 4: Installation (Reinforcing Positive Beliefs) Once the negative emotions surrounding the traumatic memory have been processed, the next phase is installation, where the therapist works with you to replace negative beliefs with more positive, adaptive ones. For example, if you’ve been struggling with the belief “I’m not safe,” your therapist might help you shift that to “I am safe now.” Bilateral stimulation continues during this phase to help “install” these new, positive beliefs into your mind and body. This step is important because it helps reinforce new patterns of thought and behavior that can support long-term healing. Step 5: Body Scan (Releasing Physical Tension) During the body scan phase, your therapist will ask you to mentally scan your body for any lingering physical tension associated with the processed memory. Often, traumatic memories are stored not just in the mind but also in the body, so this phase is designed to help release any remaining discomfort or physical sensations tied to the trauma. If you notice any tension, your therapist may guide you to process that as well, ensuring that you feel completely at ease and grounded. Step 6: Closure (Grounding and Reflection) At the end of each session, your therapist will guide you through a closure phase. This involves helping you return to a state of calm and stability, regardless of how intense the session may have been. You may be asked to use relaxation techniques, mindfulness, or grounding exercises to help you feel present and safe. Your therapist will also encourage you to reflect on the progress made during the session and check in on how you’re feeling. Closure is essential to ensure that you leave the session feeling balanced, rather than overwhelmed. Step 7: Reevaluation (Ongoing Healing) In follow-up sessions, the therapist will check in on your progress and reevaluate the memories you’ve worked on. They will ask if you’re still experiencing any emotional charge around the processed memories or if any new memories have surfaced for attention. Healing is a gradual process, and the reevaluation phase allows the therapist to make sure the changes from previous sessions are lasting and that the trauma is truly resolved. What Healing Looks Like with EMDR The healing process with EMDR varies from person to person, but many clients notice significant improvements after just a few sessions. Common results include: • Reduced emotional reactivity to traumatic memories. • A shift in negative self-beliefs to more positive, adaptive ones. • Greater emotional regulation and resilience. • Improved relationships and overall well-being. With continued sessions, clients often find that memories no longer trigger emotional pain, and they feel more connected to their authentic selves and the present moment. Final Thoughts EMDR therapy is a powerful, structured process that helps individuals heal from trauma, anxiety, and other emotional struggles. If you’re considering EMDR therapy, knowing what to expect during each session can help reduce any anxiety or uncertainty. By working through the phases of history-taking, desensitization, installation, body scanning, and closure, you and your therapist can collaboratively process distressing memories and help you move toward emotional freedom. Are you ready to explore EMDR therapy? Reach out today to schedule your first session and take the first step toward healing.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has helped countless individuals heal from trauma, anxiety, and other emotional struggles. While EMDR is widely known for its ability to transform lives, many people don’t fully understand the science behind how it works. In this blog, we’ll dive into the neuroscience of EMDR and explain in simple terms how bilateral stimulation—the key element of the therapy—facilitates healing by processing distressing memories. What is Bilateral Stimulation in EMDR? At the heart of EMDR therapy is a process called bilateral stimulation (BLS). During EMDR sessions, the therapist guides the client to recall a distressing memory while engaging in a form of BLS, which typically involves eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones that alternate between the left and right sides of the body or brain. This bilateral stimulation mirrors the natural rhythms that occur during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, which is known for its role in memory processing and emotional regulation. So, what does all of this have to do with healing? Let’s take a look at how these brain-based mechanisms work. How Does Trauma Affect the Brain? Our brains are powerful organs, but when we experience trauma, our neural pathways can become “stuck” in a state of high emotional activation. This means that memories related to traumatic events often get stored in the brain in an incomplete or fragmented way. As a result, when we try to recall these memories, we can become overwhelmed by the intense emotions attached to them. In normal circumstances, the brain is able to process memories and integrate them into our understanding of the world. However, during trauma, the emotional response can be so intense that the brain’s natural processing system becomes overwhelmed, and the memory remains “stuck” in the emotional brain, which can lead to symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional triggers. How Does Bilateral Stimulation Help the Brain Process Trauma? The process of bilateral stimulation helps to “unlock” this stuck memory by re-engaging the brain’s natural processing systems. Here’s how it works: Stimulating Both Sides of the Brain: Bilateral stimulation involves activating both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously. The left hemisphere is typically responsible for logic, language, and reasoning, while the right hemisphere governs emotions, imagination, and creativity. By stimulating both sides, BLS helps the brain process trauma in a more balanced way, integrating the emotional and cognitive aspects of the experience. How Does Bilateral Stimulation Mimic REM Sleep? During sleep, particularly in the REM stage, our brains naturally process emotional memories and integrate them. Bilateral stimulation in EMDR mimics the brain activity that occurs during REM sleep, helping the brain process and reframe traumatic memories without needing the client to relive the trauma in detail. This makes EMDR different from traditional talk therapy, where clients often have to retell their traumatic experiences over and over again. Can Bilateral Stimulation Reduce Emotional Intensity? By engaging both sides of the brain and activating natural memory processing systems, bilateral stimulation helps to reduce the emotional intensity of distressing memories. It’s as if the brain is able to file away these memories in a way that’s less distressing and more manageable, making it easier for the individual to move on with their life. Does Bilateral Stimulation Rewire Neural Pathways? The more a memory is processed through bilateral stimulation, the more the brain’s neural pathways are rewired to store the memory in a less emotionally charged way. Over time, this reduces the triggers and negative associations that come with the trauma, leading to emotional relief. What Does Research Say About the Neuroscience of EMDR? Studies have shown that EMDR is a highly effective treatment for trauma and PTSD, and much of its success can be attributed to the way bilateral stimulation influences the brain. For example, research conducted by Dr. Francine Shapiro, the founder of EMDR, revealed that bilateral stimulation has a direct impact on the limbic system, which is the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions. One study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that after just a few sessions of EMDR, people with PTSD showed significant reductions in the activation of the amygdala—the part of the brain that controls the “fight or flight” response. As the amygdala calms down, it becomes easier for individuals to process memories without the intense emotional reactions that often accompany trauma. Additionally, functional MRI (fMRI) scans have shown that EMDR significantly changes how the brain processes traumatic memories. Researchers have found that EMDR increases prefrontal cortex activity, which is responsible for executive functions like decision-making and emotional regulation. This suggests that EMDR doesn’t just calm the emotional brain; it helps people make sense of their traumatic memories in a way that reduces their impact on day-to-day life. Why Does EMDR Work So Well for Trauma? Trauma can disrupt normal brain function, especially when the event is so distressing that it prevents the brain from fully processing the experience. What sets EMDR apart from other therapies is that it doesn’t just work on the emotional level—it helps the brain reorganize the way it stores and processes memories. By using bilateral stimulation, EMDR enables the brain to reprocess traumatic memories in a way that makes them less emotionally charged, helping individuals move from a state of survival to a state of healing. How Can I Understand EMDR in Simpler Terms? Think of your brain like a computer. When you experience a trauma, it’s like downloading a file that is incomplete or corrupted. Your emotional brain is trying to process that file, but because it’s not functioning correctly, the file gets stuck and causes problems. Bilateral stimulation is like hitting the “refresh” button on your computer. It reboots the system, allowing the brain to reprocess and fix the corrupted file (the traumatic memory). Once the system is working properly, the file can be stored in a way that no longer causes distress. Final Thoughts The science behind EMDR therapy reveals that its success is rooted in the brain’s ability to process and rewire traumatic memories with the help of bilateral stimulation. By engaging both hemispheres of the brain and mimicking the brain’s natural REM sleep processes, EMDR provides a powerful way to heal from trauma, anxiety, and other emotional struggles. If you’re curious about how EMDR could work for you, or you want to learn more about the science behind this transformative therapy, reach out today to schedule a consultation . Healing is possible, and EMDR might just be the key to unlocking your path to recovery.
How EMDR Therapy Can Help Heal from Trauma? Trauma can affect us in many ways—whether it’s from a single event, ongoing stress, or unresolved emotional wounds. Healing from trauma can feel overwhelming, but there are powerful tools that can help. One of these tools is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. If you’re new to EMDR, this guide will walk you through what it is, how it works, and how it can help you or your loved ones heal from trauma. What is EMDR Therapy? EMDR therapy is a highly effective, evidence-based therapeutic approach that helps people process and heal from distressing memories. It was originally developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s to help individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but over time, its applications have expanded to include a wide range of emotional challenges. EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess traumatic memories in a way that reduces their emotional charge and allows the individual to integrate the experience more healthily. It’s distinct from other forms of therapy because it incorporates bilateral stimulation (BLS)—often through guided eye movements, taps, or sounds—while the client recalls the traumatic memory. How Does EMDR Work? The key to EMDR is the concept of bilateral stimulation. During a session, your therapist will guide you to recall a specific distressing memory or thought. While you do this, you will engage in eye movements (or other forms of BLS) which are believed to mimic the natural process of eye movement during REM sleep. This helps the brain process the traumatic memory and move it from a “stuck” state to a more adaptive, less emotionally charged state. EMDR works in phases: History-taking and preparation: Your therapist will get to know your background, the nature of the trauma you’ve experienced, and your goals for therapy. Identification of target memories: Together, you’ll identify the memories or situations you’d like to process. Desensitization: This phase involves reprocessing the memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, which helps decrease the distress related to the memory. Installation: The goal is to replace negative beliefs with more positive, adaptive ones. Body scan: After processing the memory, the therapist checks if there’s any physical tension left in your body, which could indicate unresolved emotional material. Closure: You’ll reflect on the work done during the session and return to a state of calm and groundedness. Reevaluation: In future sessions, the therapist checks to ensure the memory no longer causes distress and that new insights have been integrated. Types of Trauma EMDR Can Help Heal EMDR has been found to be effective in treating a wide variety of trauma-related conditions, including: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Whether it’s from military combat, sexual assault, or a natural disaster, EMDR can help individuals process memories and reduce the emotional charge attached to them. Complex Trauma: Chronic trauma or abuse that happens over time, such as childhood neglect or emotional abuse, can be treated effectively with EMDR. Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Many people with anxiety have experienced trauma, whether they’re aware of it or not. EMDR helps process these hidden memories that contribute to anxiety symptoms. Phobias: Whether it’s a fear of flying, heights, or social situations, EMDR can help clear the root causes of these fears. Grief and Loss: EMDR can also help individuals process grief, especially if unresolved traumatic memories are contributing to feelings of sadness or despair. Addiction: Often, addiction is a coping mechanism for past trauma. EMDR can help address the underlying trauma, which can lead to a reduction in addictive behaviors. Statistics on the Effectiveness of EMDR Success Rate for PTSD: Research shows that 77-100% of individuals with PTSD who receive EMDR therapy experience a reduction in symptoms. Studies indicate that 84-90% of PTSD patients have significantly reduced symptoms after 3-6 months of EMDR treatment (Shapiro, 2014). Rapid Healing: EMDR is known for its efficiency. A study published in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research found that EMDR significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in just 3-12 sessions—a much shorter time frame compared to other therapeutic approaches. Effectiveness Across Populations: EMDR has been shown to be effective for various populations, including children, veterans, and survivors of sexual assault. In fact, a study found that 80-90% of people with PTSD saw improvement after EMDR therapy, regardless of age or the nature of their trauma (Van der Kolk, 2014). Long-Term Benefits: EMDR doesn’t just provide temporary relief; it leads to long-lasting changes. Studies show that clients who undergo EMDR report greater improvements in overall well-being and emotional regulation even years after completing therapy (Carlson et al., 1998). Reduced Distress in Anxiety and Depression: In addition to PTSD, EMDR has also been shown to be effective for anxiety and depression. One study found that 40-60% of patients with anxiety and depression saw symptom reduction after a series of EMDR sessions (Lee & Cuijpers, 2013). Why Choose EMDR Therapy? What sets EMDR apart from other trauma therapies is its focus on reprocessing traumatic memories without requiring the client to relive them in detail. It’s a gentle but powerful approach that’s often faster than traditional talk therapy. While each person’s experience is different, many individuals find that EMDR helps them heal from trauma in ways that feel more transformative and lasting. Final Thoughts If you’re struggling with the effects of trauma, whether it’s PTSD, complex trauma, or any other emotional challenge, EMDR therapy may offer you the support you need to heal. With its unique, scientifically-backed approach, EMDR helps you process difficult memories, reduce emotional pain, and restore your mental and physical well-being. Are you curious about how EMDR can help you or a loved one? Reach out to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward healing. .