What Is EMDR — And Could It Be Right for You?
- Angela Santana
- May 14
- 2 min read
If you've heard the term EMDR but aren't quite sure what it is, you're not alone. It's one of the most researched and effective treatments for trauma available today — and yet it still sounds mysterious to a lot of people. This month, I want to pull back the curtain and explain what EMDR actually is, how it works, and who it might help.
What Does EMDR Stand For?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's a structured therapy that helps people process distressing memories that have become 'stuck' in the nervous system — memories that continue to cause pain, fear, or emotional flooding long after the event has passed.
Originally developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has since been validated by decades of research and is endorsed by organizations like the World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association for the treatment of trauma and PTSD.
How Does It Work?
At its core, EMDR works by helping the brain do what it naturally wants to do: process and integrate difficult experiences. When we go through something traumatic, the memory can get stored in a fragmented, emotionally charged way. Sights, sounds, smells, or thoughts can 'activate' the memory and flood us with the original feelings — even years later.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — typically guided eye movements, taps, or sounds — while you briefly focus on a distressing memory. This bilateral stimulation appears to help the brain process the memory more adaptively, so that it loses its emotional charge and becomes something you can recall without being overwhelmed by it.
What Can EMDR Help With?
While EMDR is best known for treating PTSD, it is effective for a wide range of concerns, including:
Childhood trauma or adverse experiences
Anxiety and panic
Grief and loss
Phobias
Eating disorders
Low self-worth rooted in past experiences
Single-incident traumas (accidents, assaults, medical trauma)
If you find yourself stuck in patterns of thought, feeling, or behavior that don't respond to insight or willpower alone, EMDR may be worth exploring.
What Does an EMDR Session Feel Like?
People often worry that EMDR will require them to relive their trauma in detail. In practice, the approach is much gentler than that. You are always in control, you never have to say more than you're comfortable sharing, and we move at a pace that feels safe for you.
Most people describe a sense of emotional processing — almost like watching something from a distance — followed by a lightness or relief that can feel surprising after years of carrying a painful memory.
Is EMDR Right for You?
If you've been in talk therapy and feel like something remains stuck — or if you've wondered whether your past experiences are still shaping your present in ways you can't quite reach — EMDR may offer the breakthrough you've been looking for. I'm trained in EMDR and incorporate it into my work with clients when appropriate.
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