What Is EMDR Therapy and How Can It Help with Trauma?

If you’ve ever felt stuck in patterns shaped by painful experiences, EMDR therapy may be a helpful path forward.

Short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMDR is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps people process and heal from trauma. But what exactly does that mean?

What Is EMDR?

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a structured, evidence-based therapy developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. Originally designed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), EMDR supports the brain’s natural ability to heal from distressing experiences.

Shapiro discovered that certain types of eye movements—when paired with focused attention on painful memories—seemed to reduce emotional intensity. Her findings laid the groundwork for a therapeutic method that helps individuals process trauma without needing to relive or talk through it in detail. Today, EMDR is widely accepted and backed by decades of research across the globe.

Through EMDR, clients can work to reprocess stuck or overwhelming memories, building healthier connections between their thoughts, emotions, and sense of self.

How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR uses a process called bilateral stimulation—often through eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones—paired with focused attention on a distressing memory. This dual-attention process is believed to activate the brain’s natural healing mechanisms, allowing unprocessed material to be re-integrated and released.

EMDR therapy follows eight structured phases, each carefully designed to support healing:

1. History Taking Your therapist gathers a thorough understanding of your personal history, current challenges, and therapy goals. Together, you’ll identify key memories or patterns that may be linked to unresolved trauma.

2. Preparation This phase focuses on building trust and emotional safety. You’ll learn grounding and coping tools (like visualization or breathwork) to help you feel stable before processing deeper material.

3. Assessment A specific target memory is selected. You’ll identify the associated image, negative belief (e.g., “I’m not safe”), emotions, and body sensations. You’ll also rate the memory’s intensity and name a positive belief you’d like to hold instead.

4. Desensitization Using bilateral stimulation, you begin processing the memory. This phase helps reduce distress and allows adaptive insights to surface.

5. Installation Once the memory feels less charged, the therapist helps reinforce a new, empowering belief (e.g., “I am safe now”). This strengthens your internal resilience and begins shifting old patterns.

6. Body Scan Even when a memory feels neutral, the body may still carry tension. This phase focuses on scanning for lingering physical sensations and continuing reprocessing if needed, supporting full mind-body integration.

7. Closure Each session ends by returning to present-moment awareness. Your therapist will review coping strategies and ensure you feel grounded and stable, regardless of whether the target memory was fully processed.

8. Reevaluation At the start of the next session, your therapist checks in on the previous memory, any changes since the last session, and current triggers. This phase ensures your progress continues and helps guide next steps.

Who Can EMDR Help?

While EMDR is best known for treating PTSD, it’s also effective for individuals with:

• Childhood trauma

• Anxiety and panic

• Phobias

• Grief and loss

• Relationship wounds

• Emotional neglect

• Perfectionism and chronic self-criticism

Trauma doesn’t always look like one major event. It can stem from bullying, medical procedures, growing up in a high-pressure household, or persistent feelings of inadequacy. EMDR supports healing—whether your wounds are clear-cut or complex.

What Makes EMDR Different?

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require you to retell your story repeatedly. Instead, it focuses on what your nervous system remembers and how past experiences are showing up in your present. Many clients report feeling lighter, more grounded, and more connected to themselves after EMDR treatment.

Is EMDR Right for You?

As a trauma-informed therapist trained in EMDR, I work with individuals navigating PTSD, stress, disordered eating, and unresolved life experiences. I understand the need for discretion—especially for clients in leadership, caregiving, or high-visibility roles—and I offer high-quality, confidential care in a fully virtual setting.

Final Thoughts

Healing doesn’t have to mean carrying the past forever. If you’ve been feeling stuck, reactive, or overwhelmed, EMDR may offer a new path forward.

Takeaway: EMDR is a powerful, research-supported therapy that can reduce the emotional burden of trauma, anxiety, and chronic stress. Whether you're processing painful memories or working to reconnect with your sense of self, EMDR offers a supportive framework for deep healing.

Ready to take the first step? I offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you determine if EMDR is right for your healing journey. Let’s talk.

About the Author

Kami Guevara is a Registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist offering virtual therapy throughout California. She specializes in trauma, PTSD, eating disorders, and EMDR, providing thoughtful, trauma-informed care in a confidential and supportive space. Kami practices under the supervision of Torri Efron, LMFT.