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What Is EMDR Therapy and How Can It Help Me Heal?

December 22, 2025 | newgrowthcounseling |
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a powerful, research-backed approach. It helps people recover from trauma, anxiety, and distressing life experiences. You might know EMDR for PTSD and trauma therapy. Today, therapists also use it for grief, panic, low self-worth, and attachment wounds. In this post, you’ll learn what EMDR is. You’ll also learn how it works and what to expect in a session. You’ll see why many people feel lasting relief with this method.

Whether you’ve been through trauma or feel stuck in old patterns, EMDR can support healing. Keep reading to see if EMDR might be a good next step.

What Is EMDR Therapy? A Science-Based Overview

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach. Psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro developed it in the late 1980s. People often use EMDR to treat PTSD. Research also shows it helps with:

  • Anxiety and panic attacks
  • Depression
  • Complicated grief
  • Performance anxiety
  • Chronic pain
  • Childhood trauma and attachment wounds

The core idea behind EMDR is simple. Your brain can process and heal from distressing experiences. This works like the body healing a physical wound. Sometimes, traumatic memories get “stuck” in the nervous system. EMDR helps your brain move them through.

EMDR follows a structured eight-phase approach. It includes:

  • Identifying and targeting painful memories
  • Pairing the memory with bilateral stimulation (like guided eye movements, sounds, or taps)
  • Helping the brain reprocess the memory, so it no longer feels disturbing

This process can resemble REM sleep. It also engages both sides of the brain. That supports emotional and cognitive integration.

Learn more from the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA):  https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy

How Does EMDR Work? The Brain-Body Connection

You don’t have to “talk it all out” to heal. EMDR works on a neurological level. It helps your brain reprocess distressing memories without flooding you.

Bilateral stimulation (BLS) activates both hemispheres of the brain. This helps you:

  • Access traumatic material without getting retraumatized
  • Make sense of the memory in a new, less painful way
  • Reduce strong physical and emotional reactions to triggers

EMDR follows the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. In plain language, your brain is built to heal. Your body knows how to close a wound. Your mind also knows how to process emotional pain. But overwhelm can interrupt that process. This can happen during childhood or trauma. The memory can get stuck, along with fear, shame, or helplessness. EMDR helps your brain “unstick” those memories. Then they can move through and resolve.

As this happens, many people notice natural shifts. Self-blame and fear can soften. “It was my fault” can become “I did the best I could.” “I’m not safe” can become “I can protect myself now.” “I’m weak” can become “I survived.”

Who Can Benefit From EMDR Therapy?

You don’t need a single “big trauma” to benefit from EMDR. Many people use EMDR for everyday emotional wounds. Those wounds can still shape self-worth and relationships.

EMDR can help:

  • Adults healing from childhood neglect or emotional abuse
  • First responders and veterans managing traumatic exposure
  • Survivors of accidents, medical trauma, or assaults
  • People recovering from emotionally abusive relationships
  • Individuals with high-functioning anxiety or imposter syndrome

At New Growth Counseling in Carlsbad, our EMDR therapists create a safe, collaborative process. We tailor it to your needs. We also blend EMDR with other approaches when helpful. Examples include Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).

What Happens in an EMDR Session?

If you wonder what EMDR feels like, you can expect structure and gentleness. The process prioritizes emotional safety. It also moves at your pace. You stay in control the whole time. Your therapist checks in often before moving forward.

Here’s what EMDR usually looks like:

  1. Getting to Know You – Your therapist learns your story and your goals. Together, you choose targets to work on.
  2. Building Safety and Tools – You practice grounding skills. This can include guided imagery or breathing.
  3. Choosing a Memory to Work On – You bring a memory to mind. You also notice feelings, beliefs, and body sensations.
  4. Reprocessing With Bilateral Stimulation – You focus on the memory. Your therapist guides gentle back-and-forth stimulation. This helps your brain process naturally.
  5. Letting New Beliefs Emerge – As intensity drops, old beliefs often shift. “I’m not safe” may change. “I can trust myself now” may take its place.
  6. Checking In With Your Body – You notice sensations. With guidance, you release leftover tension.
  7. Ending on a Calm Note – We end sessions with grounding and stabilization.
  8. Looking Back and Looking Ahead – In the next session, you review progress. Then you choose next steps.

Many people feel relief, release, or clarity during sessions. EMDR also keeps working after sessions. People often notice continued insights and shifts.

Is EMDR Right for Me?

EMDR isn’t one-size-fits-all. But it can fit well if you:

  • Feel stuck despite years of talk therapy
  • Get overwhelmed by triggers, flashbacks, or intense emotions
  • Want a body-informed way to heal trauma
  • Want relief from anxiety or harsh self-criticism

It can also help if you prefer less detailed storytelling. In EMDR, you don’t need to retell every detail for it to work.

If you’re in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Vista, or greater San Diego County, our EMDR therapists can help. We’ll explore whether EMDR fits your healing goals:  https://www.newgrowthcounseling.com/emdr-therapy/

External Resources to Learn More About EMDR
Final Notes & Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only. It does not replace professional counseling or psychotherapy. If you’re struggling and want support, contact our team at New Growth Counseling:  https://www.newgrowthcounseling.com/contact/

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