If you have lived through trauma, you know it does not simply fade with time. Flashbacks, anxiety, sleepless nights, or even that constant feeling of being “on edge” can linger long after the event is over. At this point, it is important to realize that healing from trauma is not always straightforward, and sometimes talking about it is not enough.
This is where EMDR Therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, comes in, whether you are dealing with PTSD, anxiety, or any other kind of trauma you wish to leave behind.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
You may be wondering, What is EMDR therapy, and how does it actually work? EMDR is a form of trauma therapy that helps people process painful or overwhelming experiences in a safe and structured way.
This treatment is known as a modality, which simply means a specific method or approach used in mental health care. In the case of trauma therapy, EMDR, the modality uses guided eye movements, sounds, or taps to help the brain reprocess distressing memories.
Instead of those memories feeling as if they are “stuck” and continuing to trigger intense emotions, EMDR therapy helps the brain file them away in a healthier, less overwhelming manner.
By doing so, this approach allows you to reduce emotional distress, build resilience, and move forward without being held back by past trauma.
The Science of How EMDR Works
EMDR is an evidence-based approach supported by decades of research and endorsed by leading health organizations around the world. Studies have shown that EMDR can significantly reduce symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and related conditions, which makes it one of the most trusted trauma-focused therapies available today.
Evidence-Based & Clinical Guidelines
Research over the past three decades has shown that EMDR therapy is an effective approach for addressing trauma-related conditions. Multiple randomized controlled trials, along with systematic reviews and meta-analyses, have demonstrated significant improvements in symptoms for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder.
For example, a meta-analysis of 98 RCTs involving over 5,500 participants found that EMDR had a large effect size in reducing PTSD symptoms, comparable with trauma-focused CBT. Another systematic review of 90 trials with 6,560 adults showed that EMDR and TF-CBT both sustained symptom improvements during follow-up periods of 1-4 months.
Moreover, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) includes EMDR therapy for PTSD in its 2018 guidelines among treatments recommended for children, adolescents, and adults with PTSD or Complex PTSD.
Proposed Mechanisms of Action
Although researchers continue to study how EMDR creates change, several theories help explain its effectiveness. One perspective suggests that EMDR promotes memory reconsolidation, which means that distressing memories are reprocessed and stored in a less emotionally charged form.
Another explanation involves the role of working memory, which is the dual focus on recalling a traumatic memory while engaging in guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation, which seems to reduce the vividness and intensity of the memory.
Together, these processes may explain why EMDR has helped many people with trauma and related challenges, including EMDR for anxiety and trauma symptoms. By easing the brain’s grip on painful experiences, you will be able to move forward with a greater sense of relief and resilience.
Conditions Treated with EMDR
EMDR therapy is not simply a treatment for trauma. In fact, it is a versatile approach that has been shown to help with a wide range of mental health concerns.
Whether it is long-standing post-traumatic stress, recurring anxiety, or challenges faced by children and adults during life transitions, trauma therapy EMDR offers an evidence-based path to healing.
Here are some of the most common conditions addressed through EMDR therapy.
1. PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the primary conditions for which EMDR has been extensively researched. By helping the brain reprocess painful memories, EMDR reduces the intensity of flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance.
Many individuals report a decrease in symptoms and a renewed sense of safety and stability. For this reason, clinicians worldwide often consider EMDR one of the most effective trauma-focused therapies for PTSD.
2. Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Flashbacks
EMDR can be implemented if you have trauma from more than a single event. Various people consider anxiety to be a constant undercurrent, which sometimes surfaces as panic attacks or distressing flashbacks.
Through EMDR, people learn to reframe and release the root experiences fueling these responses. Eventually, the therapy helps reduce the body’s “fight or flight” reaction, leading to calmer and more manageable daily experiences.
3. Adjustment in Children & Adults
Life changes, such as moving, divorce, loss, or school stress, can be overwhelming, especially for younger people. This is where EMDR for children and adults offers a way to address these adjustment challenges before they develop into more serious conditions.
Children often respond well to the organized but gentle process of EMDR, while adults benefit from its ability to untangle complex emotions tied to major life transitions. In both cases, the therapy provides tools to build resilience and healthier coping strategies.
What to Expect in an EMDR Session?
A lot of people feel a bit apprehensive before starting EMDR therapy or any kind of counseling. For this reason, it helps to know what the process looks like. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing follows an eight-phase approach, but each session is adapted to your needs and comfort level.
A typical EMDR session may include the following.
- History and Planning – Your therapist gathers background information and identifies the memories or triggers to focus on.
- Preparation – You learn grounding and relaxation techniques so you feel safe before working with difficult material.
- Assessment – Together, you select a specific memory, image, or belief that continues to cause distress.
- Desensitization and Reprocessing – Guided by your therapist, you focus on that memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, sounds, or gentle taps. This helps the brain reprocess the memory in a less distressing way.
- Installation and Closure – The therapist helps you strengthen more positive beliefs and ensure the session ends with stability.
Why Choose Us for EMDR Therapy at Insight Psychological Group?
When you look for EMDR therapy near me, it helps to find a therapist who is both skilled and caring. At Insight Psychological Group (IPG), we believe therapy should feel safe, supportive, and personal.
Our EMDR sessions are led by Veronica Holbrook, LMFT. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Veronica is trained and certified in EMDR. She has many years of experience helping people with trauma, anxiety, and depression. She is also trained in Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. These approaches give her many ways to support healing.
Veronica speaks both English and Spanish. She has worked with children, teens, and adults. She is warm and understanding. Clients describe her as someone who makes it easier to face difficult experiences and begin to recover.
At IPG, you can expect safe and supportive care. We create an environment where you feel respected and understood. Your EMDR sessions are planned around your history and your goals. As a group practice, our therapists also consult with one another. This helps us give you the highest level of care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is EMDR therapy, and how does it help with trauma?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer feel overwhelming. By using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, EMDR allows painful experiences to be stored in a less distressing way.
This process reduces the emotional intensity of trauma and helps individuals move forward with greater resilience and peace of mind.
2. Is EMDR effective for PTSD and anxiety?
Yes. Decades of research, including randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, show EMDR effectively reduces symptoms of PTSD and trauma-related anxiety. Guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) list EMDR as a first-line treatment.
3. Is EMDR safe for children and adults?
EMDR therapy is considered safe for both children and adults when delivered by a trained clinician. The approach is adaptable, which makes it effective across age groups. For children, therapists often use gentler techniques suited to developmental needs. Where adults are concerned, EMDR can address complex trauma, anxiety, or loss. Keep in mind that safety and emotional stability are prioritized in every session to ensure comfort.
4. What happens during an EMDR session?
A typical session begins with preparation, where the therapist teaches grounding techniques. Then, a distressing memory or image is identified. While focusing on it, the client engages in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements.
Gradually, the memory loses its emotional intensity. Sessions typically end with closure and help clients regain stability and leave feeling calmer and more supported.
5. How does EMDR differ from CBT or exposure therapy?
Unlike Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or exposure therapy, EMDR does not rely primarily on talking through the trauma. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation while recalling distressing experiences.
While exposure elements play a role, the unique structure of EMDR appears to support memory reconsolidation and emotional relief. For many, EMDR offers faster symptom reduction compared to traditional talk-based methods.
6. Can EMDR help with flashbacks, panic, and sleep problems?
Yes. EMDR has been shown to reduce the frequency and intensity of trauma-related flashbacks, panic attacks, and sleep disturbances such as nightmares or insomnia. By targeting the unresolved memories driving these symptoms, EMDR helps calm the body’s stress response.
As the brain processes and integrates these memories, many clients report improved sleep and fewer distressing reactions in daily life.