What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a structured, evidence-based therapy designed to help the brain process distressing memories that were never fully resolved.
When something overwhelming happens, the brain may not get the chance to properly process the experience. Instead, the memory gets “stuck,” along with the emotions, beliefs, and body sensations tied to it.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess those memories so they no longer feel as intense, triggering, or emotionally charged.
Important to know:
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EMDR is not hypnosis
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You are awake, aware, and in control the entire time
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You don’t have to relive every detail of what happened
Trauma isn’t just about what happened, it’s also about how your nervous system responded.
When the brain perceives danger, it activates survival mode: fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown. If the threat isn’t fully resolved, the body keeps reacting as if the danger is still present.
That’s why trauma can show up as:
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Anxiety or panic attacks
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Feeling constantly on edge
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Emotional numbness or disconnection
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Strong reactions to seemingly “small” triggers
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Repeating relationship patterns you logically know aren’t helpful
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How EMDR Helps the Brain Heal
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements, tapping, or tones) while you briefly focus on parts of a distressing memory.
This helps the brain:
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Refile traumatic memories correctly
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Reduce emotional intensity
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Shift negative beliefs (like “I’m unsafe” or “It was my fault”)
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Allow the memory to feel like something that happened in the past, not something happening now
Over time, clients often notice:
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Fewer triggers
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Less emotional reactivity
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A greater sense of calm and control
What Can EMDR Therapy Help With?
EMDR is widely used for trauma, but it can help with more than just PTSD.
It can be helpful for:
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Complex trauma
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Childhood trauma or attachment wounds
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Anxiety and panic attacks
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Medical trauma
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Grief and loss
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Relationship triggers
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Low self-worth developed from past experiences
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Performance anxiety or past failures that continue to impact daily life
You don’t need to have a big traumatic event for EMDR to be effective. Chronic stress, emotional neglect, or repeated experiences can be just as impactful.
EMDR may be a great fit if you:
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Feel stuck despite years of insight or talk therapy
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Get emotionally or physically triggered even when you know your safe
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Struggle with anxiety that feels body-based, not logical
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Feel numb, disconnected, or emotionally shut down
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Want healing without having to retell every detail of your trauma
When EMDR Might Not Be the Right Starting Point
EMDR isn’t always the first step for everyone.
It may not be appropriate yet if:
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You’re in active crisis or unsafe situations
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You don’t have enough emotional regulation skills yet
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Your nervous system needs stabilization first
At LionHeart Therapy, EMDR is always approached thoughtfully, with preparation and consent. We prioritize teaching grounding and emotion regulation skills as the first step of this therapy.
EMDR at LionHeart Therapy
Our approach to EMDR is:
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Client-paced
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Trauma-informed
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Nervous-system focused
We work together to allow your brain and body to feel safe again.
If you’ve been thinking about EMDR or wondering whether it could help, reach out to us with any additional questions!