What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly effective form of therapy that can help people overcome anxiety, depression, trauma, addictive behaviors, and more. EMDR is also a somatic therapy approach that recognizes the profound connection between the mind and body in healing.
Prospective clients often come to Repose for therapy because they are seeking relief from repetitive patterns or emotional paralysis rooted in trauma, anxiety, or overwhelming stress. Through EMDR, they can process trauma and distress on a deeper level, going beyond talk therapy to rewire emotional responses and finally break free from painful memories that feel “stuck” in their bodies and minds.
Through bilateral stimulation techniques—like eye movements or tapping—EMDR prompts the body's innate self-soothing mechanisms. This creates a state of inner calm and fosters a holistic healing process that addresses the emotional and physiological aspects of trauma recovery, enabling the integration of traumatic memories with a more empowering perspective. For example, after experiencing a traumatic event, an individual might hold the core belief, “I’m not safe.” With EMDR, they can shift to believing, “It’s over; I am safe now.”
EMDR Is A Highly Effective Treatment Approach
EMDR therapy has been endorsed by the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization due to high levels of effectiveness demonstrated in numerous clinical studies. It is particularly beneficial for treating conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
Many individuals experience significant symptom reduction after a relatively short course of treatment.
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How Do EMDR Sessions Work?
During an EMDR session, a trained therapist will take very specific steps to help clients process difficult memories or experiences and provide steady support throughout, creating a secure environment for healing and progress.
To begin, they'll discuss a particular “target” event while engaging in bilateral stimulation, like guided eye movements, to access a traumatic memory. These dual-action exercises facilitate a healthier reprocessing of the memory by temporarily calming the overactive amygdala (a part of the brain responsible for processing memories and emotions) and aligning brainwave activity. As a result, they’ll begin to notice that the emotional intensity surrounding the memory diminishes and they feel less overwhelmed when accessing it again, making it possible to ascribe new meanings to their experience.
Who Can Benefit From EMDR?
EMDR can help individuals who have experienced traumatic events or distressing memories that continue to impact their emotional well-being. While it is primarily used for the treatment of trauma and PTSD, EMDR is a versatile approach that therapists can apply to a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, body image concerns, addictive behaviors, and more.
Here are a few specific mental health issues for which EMDR is often used:
Depression: EMDR addresses the underlying traumatic experiences or negative beliefs that contribute to depressive feelings. Individuals can process and release the emotional weight of these experiences, reducing the intensity of depressive symptoms for better mood, increased self-esteem, and an improved sense of well-being.
Anxiety: EMDR can help alleviate various forms of anxiety, including social, academic, and performance-related concerns. By targeting and reprocessing distressing memories or negative beliefs, individuals often experience lower anxiety levels and feel empowered to approach future challenges with greater confidence and a more balanced perspective.
Low Self-Esteem: Through EMDR, individuals can target negative beliefs and past experiences that contribute to feelings of inadequacy and develop a positive self-image. This process allows for a shift in self-perception, fostering increased confidence, self-worth, and a stronger sense of personal values.
Relationships: EMDR allows individuals struggling with attachment issues to process and reframe negative experiences associated with relationships. This leads to healthier relationship patterns, improved communication, and a greater capacity for trust and intimacy, enabling people to foster more fulfilling connections with others.
Parenting: EMDR therapy can be a valuable resource for parents facing challenges in their role. This approach helps individuals process difficult experiences and beliefs related to caregiving so they can develop effective, self-assured parenting styles and stronger bonds with their children.
Addictive Behaviors: EMDR empowers individuals struggling with addictive behaviors to gain insight into their triggers and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Ultimately, this can support long-term recovery by reducing cravings and increasing self-control.
The Positive Results Of EMDR Therapy
Trauma Resolution
EMDR is particularly effective for processing traumatic memories and reducing their impact, enabling individuals to heal from past traumas even if they have seen minimal progress through traditional talk therapy.
Lasting Changes
Because EMDR addresses and heals the root cause of your present issue, you are more likely to experience lasting results. EMDR is not a “quick fix” or a way to manage symptoms; rather, it is designed to help you create lasting positive change.
Healing Multiple Issues at Once
Because EMDR addresses entire memory networks, it has the capacity to heal and improve multiple issues at once. It is not uncommon to find that, although you may have targeted one specific issue with EMDR, other areas of your life begin to improve as well.
Rapid Results
EMDR often yields quicker results than talk therapy, with some individuals experiencing significant improvements in a relatively short period.
Enhance Self-Awareness
Clients often report increased self-awareness and a greater understanding of their emotional reactions.
Versatility
EMDR’s adaptability allows it to be applied to various mental health conditions beyond PTSD.
Our Background In EMDR
Over the years, we’ve seen the profound impact EMDR can have, particularly for clients navigating the complexities of trauma, anxiety, and grief. EMDR has become an essential component of our integrative approach to care, and we have taken extensive measures to ensure your EMDR therapy experience with us is effective, sensitive, and professional.
We are deeply committed to staying current with new evidence-based practices. Our team prioritizes continued learning and advanced certifications in trauma therapies like EMDR.
For that reason, our EMDR-certified therapists complete a comprehensive 46-hour EMDR training approved by EMDRIA, the gold standard for EMDR training and certification worldwide. Upon certification, our therapists attend regular supervision with an EMDR specialist to ensure we continue to offer high-quality, trauma-informed care. EMDR can be a complex and sensitive process, and it’s essential for your therapist to be highly trained and trauma-informed.
We were inspired to integrate EMDR into our practice because we believe in the body’s intrinsic ability to heal with the right tools. It aligns with our holistic philosophy: healing is not just about talking, but also about honoring and releasing what’s stored in the nervous system. This approach provides a structured yet compassionate way for clients to safely confront past trauma, enabling them to feel empowered and liberated.
What To Expect During EMDR Sessions At Repose
Knowing what to anticipate from your first EMDR session can help you feel more relaxed before starting the process. Your therapist will ask a set of questions to identify and access specific negative experiences and the desired adaptive resolution. Unlike with many other therapy modalities, a client does not need to provide details or narrate their traumatic experiences to reprocess them.
Next, your therapist will guide you through rapid eye movement or other forms of bilateral stimulation. This will be alternated with brief opportunities to process what you are experiencing. Your therapist will help you “free associate” to explore new meanings in relation to your memories, allowing the brain to fully process the experience.
Throughout your sessions, you’ll connect your past experience with new, adaptive meanings that will serve you in the present. For those with chronic trauma, the EMDR process may take multiple sessions.
EMDR Therapy Can Help You Find Freedom From Past Trauma
We offer in-person EMDR therapy out of our Westchester, NY office and virtual sessions to clients in NY, NJ, CT, and abroad. To learn more about EMDR therapy at Repose and get matched with a licensed therapist, book your complimentary consultation with us at your convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
The number of sessions needed can vary depending on factors like the nature and severity of the trauma and your personal progress in therapy. Some individuals may experience positive results in just a few sessions, while others might require more extensive treatment.
Can I do EMDR and talk therapy at the same time?
Absolutely! Combining EMDR and talk therapy is a common, effective approach. Talk therapy can provide a valuable space for processing emotions and discussing ongoing concerns, while EMDR targets specific traumatic memories to promote healing.
Can EMDR be done virtually?
Yes! EMDR therapy can be done virtually, and research shows that virtual EMDR is just as effective as in-person EMDR.
Where can I learn more about EMDR therapy?
If you’d like a more in-depth explanation of EMDR, we invite you to check out this comprehensive video created by EMDRIA, the professional association for EMDR practitioners and researchers.
