EMDR
What is EMDR?
Aug 16, 2025
If you’ve ever felt stuck in painful memories or experiences, you’re not alone. Sometimes, even when we know something happened in the past, our body and mind still react as if it’s happening right now. That’s where EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy can help.
EMDR is an evidence-based treatment originally developed to help people heal from trauma. Today, it’s widely used to support recovery from PTSD, anxiety, panic, grief, phobias, and other difficult experiences. It helps the brain reprocess painful memories so they no longer feel overwhelming or “stuck.”
How Does EMDR Work?
Think of your brain as having a natural healing system—similar to how your body knows how to heal a cut. Trauma and overwhelming stress can sometimes “block” that healing. EMDR helps remove those blocks.
During a session, your therapist will guide you to focus on a specific memory while introducing bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds that move back and forth). This process helps your brain refile the memory in a way that reduces its emotional charge.
Instead of reliving the memory with the same intensity, you’re able to remember it without being flooded by fear, shame, or sadness.
What to Expect in EMDR Sessions
Preparation – We’ll start by creating a sense of safety and teaching you calming strategies you can use anytime.
Targeting memories – Together, we’ll identify the memories, beliefs, or triggers you’d like to work on.
Reprocessing – Using bilateral stimulation, we’ll help your brain “digest” those memories in a new way.
Healing beliefs – As the distress decreases, you’ll naturally begin to replace painful beliefs (“I’m not safe,” “I’m not enough”) with healthier ones (“I am safe now,” “I have worth”).
Benefits of EMDR
Research shows EMDR can lead to:
Reduced anxiety and emotional distress
Better sleep and concentration
Relief from nightmares and flashbacks
More confidence and self-compassion
A greater sense of peace about the past
Many clients describe it as finally feeling “unstuck.”
Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR isn’t about erasing memories—it’s about changing how they live in your mind and body. If you’ve been carrying the weight of trauma, painful experiences, or anxiety that just won’t let go, EMDR may help you find relief.
At Peace Point Therapy, I use EMDR alongside other approaches like CBT, IFS, and Gottman Method (for couples) to support healing that lasts.
Final Thoughts
Healing takes courage, and EMDR offers a path forward that’s both gentle and effective. You don’t have to keep reliving the past—your brain has the ability to heal, and therapy can help guide the process.
If you’re curious about EMDR or wondering if it might be right for you, I’d love to talk with you.