Understanding EMDR: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Healing

We’re kicking off the week with the second edition of Modality Monday! Today, we’re diving into Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, more commonly known as EMDR. Let’s get into it.

What is EMDR?

EMDR is a form of exposure therapy originally developed by Francine Shapiro to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps individuals process and reframe distressing memories that may be “stuck” in the brain and body due to trauma. Unlike CBT, which we covered last week, EMDR is a “bottom-up” approach that doesn’t rely heavily on verbal processing. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements or tapping—to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories.

The core idea? Trauma memories can get “frozen” in the nervous system, causing emotional and physiological distress long after the event. EMDR helps “unstick” these memories, reducing their emotional charge and allowing for adaptive healing.

How EMDR Works

EMDR therapy typically follows an 8-phase protocol:

• History Taking & Treatment Planning
• Preparation (establishing safety and grounding)
• Assessment (identifying a target memory, beliefs, and emotional responses)
• Desensitization (bilateral stimulation using eye movements, tapping, or sound)
• Installation (reinforcing positive beliefs)
• Body Scan (noticing residual physical sensations)
• Closure
• Reevaluation

Clients are guided through past traumas in a way that minimizes re-traumatization, aiming to help them feel safe, regulated, and empowered.

Where Does EMDR Fall Short?

While EMDR has shown strong results for PTSD and single-incident trauma, it’s not always ideal or effective for everyone. Some key limitations include:

• Emotional grounding is essential: EMDR requires a strong therapeutic alliance and the client’s ability to remain emotionally regulated during processing. Those experiencing high levels of dissociation, psychosis, or living instability may find the process destabilizing (APA, 2017).
• Complex trauma may need more time: For individuals with prolonged or repeated trauma, like childhood neglect or abuse, preparation and stabilization can take longer, and reprocessing may need to proceed more slowly (Van der Kolk, 2014).
• Ongoing debate about mechanisms: While bilateral stimulation is central to EMDR, some researchers argue its success may stem more from structured protocols, exposure, or the therapeutic relationship (De Jongh et al., 2013).
• Access can be limited: EMDR-certified therapists can be harder to find, and not all insurance plans cover this modality.

That said, EMDR remains a trusted, evidence-based method for many survivors seeking deep, lasting healing. It’s also being used increasingly to address anxiety, depression, and grief.

Curious to learn more? We recommend exploring this resource from the EMDR International Association:
https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/

Have you or someone you love undergone EMDR therapy? Share your experience in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you.