Is EMDR Right for Me? Understanding EMDR Therapy
I have a confession to make. While I am now a certified EMDR therapist, I started out as an EMDR skeptic. In graduate school, I was taught that EMDR wasn’t a valid therapy model, and it was dismissed outright by many of my professors. Admittedly, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of those therapies that can sound a little mysterious (and maybe even a bit strange) if you’ve never experienced it before.
Maybe you’ve heard a friend mention it, or seen it pop up on a podcast or social media, and wondered:
is this something that could help me, is it even a legitimate therapy?
The short answer is yes and yes! But’s let’s break down what EMDR is, who it’s for, and what the research says.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured approach that helps people heal from the emotional impact of traumatic or distressing experiences.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses a process called bilateral stimulation—often guided eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds—to help the brain reprocess difficult memories. The goal isn’t to erase the memory, but to reduce the intensity of the feelings attached to it, so it feels more like something in your past rather than something you are reliving in the present.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
When something traumatic or emotionally overwhelming happens, the brain can have difficulty storing the experience properly as a memory. Instead of being filed away as “something that happened,” it can get improperly stored as “something that is happening” and continue to trigger distress.
During EMDR therapy, you revisit aspects of a memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This process allows your brain to reprocess the experience, moving the distressing event into long term storage, making it feel less overwhelming and more integrated into your memory network. Over time, this helps reduce symptoms like flashbacks, anxiety, or negative beliefs about yourself.
What the Research Says About EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy is one of the most well-researched trauma treatments. It is recommended by organizations such as:
The World Health Organization (WHO)
The American Psychiatric Association (APA)
The American Psychological Association (APA)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
While no single therapy works for everyone, EMDR has a strong evidence base and is considered one of the leading treatments for trauma.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR?
EMDR therapy was originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but over time it’s been shown to help with a wide range of concerns, including:
Trauma (including complex or developmental trauma)
Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression
Grief and complicated loss
Phobias and fears
Stress and burnout
Common Misconceptions About EMDR Therapy
Because EMDR therapy uses eye movements or tapping, it sometimes gets mistaken for hypnosis. EMDR is not hypnosis—you remain alert and in control during the entire process.
Another common myth is that EMDR erases memories or that you will forget parts of memories you want to have. In reality, EMDR helps the brain process memories in a way that reduces their emotional charge while keeping the memory intact.
When to Consider Trying EMDR Therapy
You may want to explore EMDR therapy if:
You continue to feel stuck in painful memories despite trying talk therapy
You experience symptoms like flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or intense emotional reactions
You’re living with unresolved trauma, grief, or anxiety
You’re interested in a structured, evidence-based approach to healing
Final Thoughts: Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR therapy isn’t a quick fix or a magic cure, but it can be a powerful way to heal from trauma and reclaim peace of mind. If you’ve been wondering whether EMDR is right for you, consider reaching out to a qualified EMDR therapist.
At our practice we offer EMDR therapy, adjunctive EMDR, and EMDR intensives, as well as EMDR for perinatal mental health concerns. Our team provides EMDR in person in Washington, DC and virtually in over 40 states.
If you’re wondering whether EMDR is right for you, reach out today to schedule a consultation.
Author
Dr. Emma Basch, PsyD is a licensed clinical psychologist in Washington DC and NY, with PsyPact privileges to offer teletherapy in over 40 states—including MD and VA. She specializes in women’s mental health, with a warm, integrative approach to perinatal care, trauma, fertility challenges, and life transitions and is certified in EMDR.
Dr. Basch sees clients both virtually and in-person sessions.
5506 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 28A
Reach out to schedule with Dr. Basch
(202) 630-5066 | emma.basch@dremmabasch.com