EMDR Therapy: What It Is and What I Actually See Happen
EMDR is one of those therapies people hear about a lot, but don’t always understand. Clients often come in saying, “I know it works, but I don’t really get how.” Honestly, you don’t need to understand every technical piece for it to be helpful. What matters is what it does. At its core, EMDR helps the brain finish processing experiences that never fully settled. These are often experiences that the mind knows are over, but the body still reacts to as if they are happening now.
A Simple Way to Think About EMDR
When something overwhelming happens, the brain can get stuck holding onto it in a very raw way. Instead of becoming a normal memory, it stays “active.” That is when people experience flashbacks, intrusive images, intense anxiety, or reactions that feel out of proportion to the present moment.
EMDR helps the brain move those experiences into the past.
In session, we focus on a memory, feeling, or body sensation while using bilateral stimulation. This might look like eye movements or alternating taps. The process is structured and paced. You are not reliving the trauma, and you are not being pushed beyond what you can tolerate.
Most clients are surprised by how contained the process actually feels.
What I See Change With EMDR
Clinically, EMDR has been one of the most effective tools I use for treating trauma, and is beneficial for anxiety and OCD related distress as well!
One of the first things I often see is a reduction in flashbacks or intrusive images. Memories that once felt vivid and overwhelming start to lose their intensity. Clients often say the images feel farther away or harder to access.
I also see anxiety decrease around present day triggers. For clients with trauma histories or OCD, current situations often stop activating the same level of panic or urgency. The trigger may still exist, but the reaction is no longer automatic or consuming. They are better able to connect adaptive information such as, “I am safe,” immediately.
Another shift I see is increased confidence. As the nervous system calms, clients feel more grounded in themselves. They trust their responses more. They are less thrown off by internal experiences.
Many clients also notice that they are less able to vividly replay traumatic images. The memories don’t disappear, but they stop intruding. They no longer feel like they are happening in real time.
Who EMDR Can Be Helpful For
EMDR is often associated with trauma, but it can be helpful for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, OCD, panic, grief, and long-standing negative beliefs about oneself.
If you find yourself reacting strongly to situations that logically feel safe, or if your body responds before your mind can catch up, EMDR may be worth exploring.
In my experience, when it is the right fit, EMDR can be a powerful way to help people feel more present, more regulated, and more confident in their ability to move forward.
Gabrielle Eichler, RMHCI