Understanding EMDR Therapy: A Powerful Path to Healing Trauma

How EMDR Actually Works

Trauma has a way of shaping our lives in unseen yet deeply felt ways. For many, traumatic experiences become lodged in the body and mind, influencing emotions, behaviours, and relationships long after the original event has passed. Over the years, I’ve worked with countless individuals seeking to break free from the emotional hold of trauma. One of the most effective methods I’ve found in supporting this journey is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

I’ve been using EMDR for several years as part of my trauma-focused psychotherapy practice. With over two decades of experience in helping clients heal from psychological wounds, I have seen firsthand how EMDR can bring significant relief and transformation—even when other therapies have fallen short. But what exactly is EMDR, and how does it work?

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR, short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy approach developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It is best known for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but has since shown effectiveness across a wide range of issues—including anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, and complex trauma.

Unlike traditional talking therapy, EMDR does not require clients to talk in detail about their traumatic experiences. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation—often through guided eye movements, sounds, or taps—to help the brain reprocess distressing memories and restore emotional balance.

Traumatic memories are fundamentally different from regular memories. When we experience something highly distressing, our brain’s information processing system can become overwhelmed. As a result, the memory of the event gets 'stuck' in its raw, unprocessed form, along with the intense emotions, physical sensations, and negative beliefs we experienced at the time.

EMDR works by unlocking these stuck memories and allowing the brain’s natural healing mechanisms to resume. Think of it like untangling a knotted necklace—the memory is still there, but it no longer causes emotional distress once it’s processed.

The EMDR Process

EMDR is a structured approach that unfolds over eight distinct phases. While the pace and focus may vary depending on each client’s needs, the phases create a safe and supportive framework for deep healing:

1. History Taking and Treatment Planning
In the first phase, we explore your personal history and identify the memories, situations, or themes that will be the focus of treatment, including establishing a safe place.

2. Preparation
This is where we build trust, establish emotional safety, and introduce the EMDR process.

3. Assessment
We identify a specific target memory to work on, along with associated beliefs, emotions, and sensations.

4. Desensitization
Bilateral stimulation is used while you bring the traumatic memory to mind. Over time, the memory loses its emotional intensity.

5. Installation
Once the distress around the memory has reduced, we focus on strengthening the positive belief you want to hold about yourself.

6. Body Scan
We check whether any residual physical tension or discomfort remains and process it if needed.

7. Closure
At the end of each session, we ensure you’re grounded and emotionally stable.

8. Re-evaluation
In subsequent sessions, we revisit the target to see if further work is needed.

The beauty of EMDR lies in its ability to help clients access their brain’s innate healing power. While no therapy offers a magic cure, EMDR often produces faster and more lasting results than traditional talk therapy alone. I also use talking therapy whenever needed.

Clients typically experience relief from intrusive thoughts, reduced emotional reactivity to triggers, improved self-worth, better emotional regulation, and healthier relationships.

EMDR doesn’t erase the memory—it transforms it. Clients often report that after EMDR, a once-overwhelming memory feels like it belongs in the past, no longer dictating how they think, feel, or behave in the present.

While EMDR was originally developed for PTSD, its applications have broadened significantly. I’ve worked with clients from all walks of life—survivors of abuse, those coping with grief or loss, individuals with childhood attachment wounds, and professionals experiencing burnout or vicarious trauma.

EMDR can be especially powerful for people who struggle to talk about their trauma, feel stuck despite years of therapy, experience somatic symptoms, repeat harmful patterns, or carry unexplained shame, fear, or guilt.

As a trauma-informed psychotherapist, I bring not only technical expertise to EMDR sessions, but also a deep commitment to compassion, safety, and empowerment. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means reclaiming your narrative, reconnecting with your strengths, and moving forward without the weight of the past holding you back.

Getting Help with EMDR

If you are curious about EMDR or wondering whether it’s the right fit for you, visit www.mindmentor.me to learn more or get in touch for an initial session.