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Trauma is pervasive and omnipresent. What is traumatic for one may not be traumatic for another, and what constitutes a heightened emotional response for one individual may not be considered overwhelming or worrisome for others. However, trauma can impact everyone, often leaving one with insistent reminders and feelings, emotions, and sensations. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (2025) described trauma as “the lasting emotional response that often results from living through a distressing event. Experiencing a traumatic event can harm a person’s sense of safety, sense of self, and ability to regulate emotions and navigate relationships” (Trauma section, para 1). The effects of trauma may be overpowering and present as flashbacks, anxiety, negative beliefs, or difficulty connecting with others. Eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) therapy offers a distinctive and effective approach to healing from these experiences. But what is EMDR, and how can it help an individual heal from trauma? Let’s find out. 

What is EMDR Therapy

EMDR is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals reprocess and recover from traumatic experiences. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987, EMDR provides a therapeutic approach to alleviating distress connected to traumatic memories. When we experience disturbing experiences, memories, or events, our bodies may elicit natural stress responses to fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. Often, these stress responses can persist and remain active in our bodies, causing the distressing experiences, thoughts, images, emotions, and sensations to become “stuck” in our bodies. “EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories, and allows normal healing to resume” (EMDR International Association, n.d., How Does EMDR Therapy Affect the Brain section). 

How Does EMDR Therapy Work

EMDR works by incorporating the idea that trauma impedes our body’s innate capacity to process information. When an individual experiences trauma or an event that instigates them to develop a negative cognition about themselves, the memory of that experience may become fixated and lead to emotional dysregulation, hyperarousal, ongoing distress, and aversive symptomology. 

EMDR operates by:

  1. Accessing the Memory Network as the client focuses on the specific memory while simultaneously identifying the thoughts, emotions, feelings, and sensations they feel of that experience. 
  2. Reprocessing the Memory through the implementation of bilateral stimulation (e.g., alternating stimulation of the right and left sides of the brain through either visual, auditory, or tactile stimuli to engage both hemispheres of the brain concurrently). By incorporating the movement of bilateral stimulation, the brain is guided to reprocess the traumatic or aversive memory more adaptively. Bilateral stimulation aids in reducing the emotional control of the memory. 
  3. Integrating the Experience as the memory becomes less distressing allows the individual to develop more adaptive and positive perspectives, beliefs, and cognitions about themselves and the event. 

What to Expect from EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy is executed using an 8-phase standard protocol (EMDR International Association, 2021). 

Phase 1- History Taking: The clinician gathers information about the individual’s history and identifies potential targets. 

Phase 2: Preparation: The clinician explains EMDR and guides the individual in developing internal resources and coping skills to better and more appropriately manage emotional distress and activation.

Phase 3: Assessment: The individual identifies specific memories, beliefs, cognitions, and body sensations associated with the experience. 

Phase 4: Desensitization: Bilateral stimulation is incorporated to process the memory and event. 

Phase 5: Installation: Negative cognitions are replaced with positive cognitions.

Phase 6: Body Scan: The individual scans their body to assess for residual physical and somatic stress or tension related to experience. 

Phase 7: Closure: The EMDR session ends with the individual feeling stable and grounded. 

Phase 8: Reevaluation: The individual’s progress is evaluated, and additional targets are discussed. 

Who Can It Help

EMDR therapy can benefit all individuals. EMDR therapy can help children and adults of all ages. Specifically, EMDR therapy can address (EMDR International Association, n.d., Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy section): 

  • Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
  • Chronic Illness and medical issues
  • Depression and bipolar disorders
  • Dissociative disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Grief and loss
  • Pain
  • Performance anxiety
  • Personality disorders
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma and stress-related issues
  • Sexual assault
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Substance abuse and addiction
  • Violence and abuse

The Power of Healing Through EMDR

EMDR therapy is truly remarkably powerful. One of its most potent and substantial elements is its ability to alter how people feel and connect with their traumatic memories. Instead of remaining trapped in the pain of the past, individuals pronounce a newfound sense of empowerment, peace, restoration, and healing. 

Is EMDR Right for You?

If you are undergoing the impacts of trauma or other emotional challenges, EMDR therapy may serve as a valuable and effective tool on your healing journey. Consulting with a trained EMDR therapist can help determine if this approach fits your needs well.

At Pacifica Counseling & Psychiatry, our therapist, Holly Blalock, is dedicated to providing compassionate and evidence-based care, like EMDR therapy. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist you in repossessing your life from the lasting effects of trauma. 

Holly Blalock, M.Ed. NCC. 


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