What is EMDR Therapy? A Guide from a Trained EMDR Therapist
If you’ve ever heard of EMDR therapy — or maybe you called it EDM, EDMR, or some other creative mashup — you’re not alone. Even therapists slip up on the acronym from time to time. (For the record, it’s EMDR, short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy — not exactly catchy, I know.)
So what is this hard-to-acronym, and why do so many trauma therapists swear by it? Let me break it down.
What Actually Happens in EMDR?
At its core, EMDR is a therapy designed to help your brain reprocess painful or traumatic memories so they don’t keep running in the background like a glitchy app draining your battery.
The idea is that some memories — especially traumatic ones — get “stuck” in the part of your brain that handles danger and survival. That’s why you might feel triggered by things that seem harmless, like a smell, a song, or a certain look someone gives you. EMDR helps your brain move those memories into the “this happened, but it’s over now” folder.
What Does an EMDR Session Look Like?
First, we figure out what memory (or memories) need attention. This could be a big traumatic event or a smaller experience that left a bigger mark than you realize.
Once we know what we’re working on, I’ll guide you through something called bilateral stimulation — this just means activating both sides of your brain while you think about the memory. Sometimes that’s following my fingers with your eyes, holding little buzzers that vibrate in your hands, or listening to sounds that alternate left and right. (It feels a little weird at first, but you get used to it.)
While we do this, your brain starts to reprocess the memory, which can feel like the emotional charge is draining out of it. Eventually, the memory still exists, but it doesn’t hit you like a freight train anymore.
That is EMDR therapy at its simplest form. When you’re working with a trained therapist who has been using EMDR for a while, it might look a little different sometimes. It becomes more of an art form in practice and there are many right ways to use it.
Is EMDR Just for PTSD?
Nope! EMDR is amazing for PTSD, but it’s also helpful for all sorts of things, like:
Childhood stuff that still sneaks up on you
That toxic relationship you still think about
Medical trauma (yep, surgeries and health scares count)
Grief and loss
Anxiety tied to past experiences
Feeling "not good enough" because of things that happened years ago, even if you don’t see the connection right now.
Basically, if your past is still impacting your present in ways that aren’t working for you, EMDR could be worth exploring.
What EMDR is Not
Let’s clear up a few myths while we’re here:
It’s not hypnosis — you’re awake, aware, and in control the whole time.
It’s not talk therapy — we’re not just rehashing the story; we’re helping your brain process it differently.
It’s not a magic eraser — you’ll still remember what happened, but it won’t feel like it’s happening right now anymore.
Why So Many Therapists Recommend EMDR
Talk therapy can be great, but trauma often lives in your body too — not just your thoughts. EMDR works with your nervous system, not just your words. That’s a big reason why people who’ve felt stuck for years often notice real shifts after EMDR.
Curious About EMDR Therapy? Let’s Talk
If you’re in the Akron, Ohio area and wondering whether EMDR therapy could help you finally get unstuck, I’d love to help you figure that out. I’m happy to answer your questions, clear up any confusion (and yes, I might keep gently correcting you if you call it EDMR).
Reach out and let’s see if EMDR is the right next step for you.
