What is EMDR Therapy and How Does It Work?
“People try to push the past away, but it’s always there, just under the surface.”
— Francine Shapiro
You’ve probably heard of EMDR therapy by now — maybe from a friend, TikTok, or your last therapist — but you’re still not totally sure what it is or how it actually works.
You might even be wondering: Is it weird? Does it work? Do I have to talk about everything in detail?
Here’s the short answer: EMDR helps you process painful memories, experiences, or beliefs that feel stuck — so you can move forward instead of staying trapped in the past. It’s a powerful, evidence-based therapy that’s especially effective for trauma, anxiety, and burnout. And no — it’s not as strange as it sounds.
Let’s break it down in a way that makes sense.
First: Why Do Some Experiences Get “Stuck” in the Brain?
When something overwhelming or traumatic happens — whether it’s a big event like a birth trauma or something more chronic like being constantly dismissed or unsupported — your nervous system goes into protection mode.
Ideally, once the danger or stress is over, your brain processes what happened, stores it as a memory, and moves on. But when the experience is too intense, fast, or confusing, that memory can get “stuck” in the part of the brain that stays on high alert.
Therapist note:
This is why trauma can feel like it’s still happening, even years later — because your brain hasn’t finished processing it. EMDR helps your brain finally finish the job.
What Is EMDR, Really?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a structured therapy approach that uses bilateral stimulation (like eye movements, tapping, or sounds) to help your brain reprocess stuck memories, emotions, or beliefs in a safe, guided way.
But you don’t need to memorize the name.
Here’s what matters: EMDR helps you work through something painful — without having to relive every detail — and shifts how your brain and body respond to it.
What Happens in an EMDR Session?
An EMDR session doesn’t look like traditional talk therapy. There’s less back-and-forth, and more focus on what’s happening inside your brain and body.
Here’s a simplified version of the process:
1. We prep together. You’ll learn calming tools and talk through what we’ll work on so you feel safe and supported.
2. You identify a memory or feeling that feels stuck. It might be a specific event, belief (“I’m not safe”), or body sensation.
3. We activate bilateral stimulation. You might follow my fingers with your eyes, hold vibrating tappers, or listen to tones in headphones.
4. Your brain does the work. You don’t have to explain everything out loud. You notice what’s coming up — thoughts, emotions, shifts — and we pause to check in as needed.
5. You get to resolution. The distress connected to the memory goes down, and new beliefs or feelings (like “I’m safe now”) become more accessible.
Most people describe the process as weird but surprisingly powerful. It’s not always easy — but it’s often deeply relieving.
What Can EMDR Help With?
EMDR is best known for treating trauma and PTSD, but it’s also incredibly effective for things like:
• Birth trauma and postpartum anxiety
• Childhood emotional neglect
• Panic attacks and social anxiety
• Performance blocks or perfectionism
• Medical trauma
• Mom rage or chronic overwhelm
• The lingering impact of being “high-functioning but struggling”
If there’s something in your life you logically know you should be over — but your body still reacts like it’s happening — EMDR might be what your nervous system has been waiting for.
🧡 “You don’t have to talk about it all. You just have to be ready to let your brain start healing what’s stuck.”
EMDR Doesn’t Have to Take Years
You don’t need to spend months in therapy rehashing your past to feel better. Many clients see significant changes after just a few EMDR sessions — especially when we work in a focused format like an EMDR intensive.
That’s because EMDR goes deeper than coping skills. It addresses the root of what’s going on — and gives your nervous system a way to finally exhale.
Want to Talk About Whether It’s Right for You?
If you’re curious, nervous, or somewhere in between — you don’t have to figure it out alone. I offer both traditional EMDR therapy and EMDR intensives for women in California looking for real healing and relief.
👉 Reach out here to schedule a free consultation.
We’ll take it one step at a time.
The 8 phases of EMDR therapy provide a structured path to help clients reprocess trauma and move toward healing