What to Expect in an EMDR Session
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has gained recognition as one of the most effective treatments for trauma and PTSD, yet many people remain curious, and sometimes apprehensive, about what actually happens during an EMDR session. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses a unique approach that can seem mysterious if you've never experienced it.
At Raincross Family Counseling, our EMDR-certified therapists regularly help clients understand this powerful healing process. Led by Reba Machado, a Certified EMDR Therapist and Consultant, our team is committed to making EMDR accessible and understandable for everyone, considering this transformative treatment approach.
Understanding EMDR: The Basics
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. The therapy is based on the understanding that traumatic experiences can become "stuck" in the brain, continuing to trigger distressing symptoms long after the original event has ended.
During EMDR, clients briefly focus on traumatic memories while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation, typically through guided eye movements, but sometimes through alternating sounds or tactile sensations. This process appears to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional charge and allowing healing to occur naturally.
Extensive research has demonstrated EMDR's effectiveness for treating PTSD, with studies showing it can be as effective as cognitive-behavioral therapy while often requiring fewer sessions. EMDR has also shown success in treating anxiety, depression, phobias, and other conditions related to disturbing life experiences.
Common Concerns About EMDR
Many people considering EMDR therapy have understandable concerns about the process:
Fear of reliving trauma
Worries about being overwhelmed by traumatic memories or experiencing the original pain as intensely as when it first occurred during processing.
Misconceptions about hypnosis
Concerns that EMDR involves hypnosis or that they'll lose control or awareness during the session, when actually clients remain fully conscious and in control.
Worries about losing control
Anxiety about not being able to stop the process if it becomes too intense, or fear that the therapist will push them beyond their limits.
Questions about effectiveness
Skepticism about whether moving eyes back and forth can really help with serious trauma, or wondering if the approach is too simple to work.
Concerns about emotional overwhelm
Fear that processing trauma will be too emotionally intense to handle or that it might make symptoms worse before they get better.
Physical discomfort worries
Concerns about experiencing headaches, dizziness, or other physical sensations during or after bilateral stimulation.
These concerns are normal, and addressing them with your EMDR therapist before beginning processing is an important part of the preparation process.
The EMDR Process: Eight Phases Overview
EMDR therapy follows a structured eight-phase approach that ensures safety and effectiveness throughout the healing process:
1. History taking and treatment planning
Your therapist gathers comprehensive information about your experiences, symptoms, and treatment goals while identifying specific memories to target during processing.
2. Preparation phase
You learn about EMDR, develop coping skills and relaxation techniques, and create resources for managing distress both during and between sessions.
3. Assessment phase
For each target memory, your therapist helps you identify the specific image, negative beliefs, emotions, and body sensations associated with that experience.
4. Desensitization and processing phases
Using bilateral stimulation, you process the traumatic memory while your therapist guides the session, allowing your brain to naturally reprocess the experience.
5. Installation phase
Positive beliefs about yourself are strengthened and integrated, replacing the negative beliefs that were connected to the traumatic memory.
6. Body scan
You check for any remaining physical tension or sensations related to the memory, ensuring complete processing at the somatic level.
7. Closure
Each session ends with specific techniques to help you feel stable and grounded, regardless of where you are in the processing of a particular memory.
8. Reevaluation
At the beginning of subsequent sessions, your therapist checks on your progress and any changes in how you're experiencing the targeted memories.
This structured approach ensures that EMDR processing happens safely and thoroughly, with built-in safeguards and support throughout the process.
What Actually Happens During Processing
During the actual processing phases of EMDR, you'll be asked to focus on the target memory while following your therapist's finger as it moves back and forth across your field of vision. This bilateral stimulation typically lasts for 20-30 seconds at a time, followed by brief pauses where your therapist asks what you noticed.
The experience varies significantly from person to person and even from session to session. Some clients report vivid images or memories, while others notice changes in emotions, physical sensations, or thoughts. You might experience the memory becoming less vivid, emotions shifting or decreasing in intensity, or new insights or perspectives emerging naturally.
Your therapist's role during processing is to guide the session while allowing your brain's natural healing processes to unfold. They'll check in regularly, help you stay grounded if you become overwhelmed, and make adjustments to the bilateral stimulation as needed. You remain in complete control and can ask to stop or take breaks at any time.
It's important to understand that EMDR processing often doesn't follow a linear path. Memories, emotions, and sensations may shift and change in unexpected ways as your brain works to integrate the traumatic experience. This unpredictability is normal and often indicates that healing is occurring.
Preparing for Your EMDR Session
Preparing for an EMDR session can help ensure the most effective and comfortable experience possible. Physically, it's helpful to get adequate sleep the night before, eat regular meals, and avoid excessive caffeine or alcohol. Wearing comfortable clothing and ensuring you won't be interrupted during your session time also supports the process.
Mentally and emotionally, try to approach the session with openness and curiosity rather than pressure to achieve specific outcomes. Trust that your brain knows how to heal and that the EMDR process will unfold in the way that's right for you. Some clients find it helpful to engage in calming activities before their session, such as gentle stretching, deep breathing, or listening to soothing music.
Consider arranging your schedule so you don't have demanding commitments immediately after your EMDR session. While many people feel fine afterward, processing can sometimes be emotionally or physically tiring, and having some flexibility in your schedule can be beneficial.
If you're working on particularly challenging memories, you might want to ensure you have support available after your session, whether that's a trusted friend, family member, or planned self-care activities. Your therapist will discuss specific preparation recommendations based on your individual situation and the memories you'll be processing.
After Your EMDR Session
The processing that begins during your EMDR session often continues afterward as your brain integrates the work you've done. Many clients report feeling lighter, calmer, or more at peace following successful processing, though experiences vary widely. Some people notice immediate changes, while others find that shifts occur more gradually over the following days or weeks.
It's common to experience some fatigue after EMDR processing, similar to how you might feel tired after intense physical exercise. Your brain has been working hard to reorganize and integrate difficult memories, and rest is a natural response to this mental effort.
Some clients notice changes in their dreams, sudden memories or insights, or shifts in how they react to triggers related to the processed memory. These experiences are typically positive signs that integration is occurring, though you should contact your therapist if anything feels concerning or overwhelming.
Engaging in gentle self-care after EMDR sessions supports the healing process. This might include taking warm baths, spending time in nature, creative activities, light exercise, or simply allowing yourself extra rest. Avoiding major stressors or decisions immediately after processing can also be helpful.
Your therapist will provide specific recommendations for post-session care based on your individual needs and the intensity of the memories being processed. They should also be available for contact between sessions if you have questions or concerns about your experience.
How EMDR Differs from Traditional Talk Therapy
EMDR differs significantly from traditional talk therapy in several important ways. While talk therapy focuses primarily on verbal processing and insight development, EMDR works more directly with the brain's natural information processing systems. This can make EMDR particularly effective for memories that feel "stuck" or resistant to verbal processing.
In talk therapy, clients typically discuss their experiences and feelings in detail, working to understand and make meaning of their traumatic experiences. EMDR, by contrast, doesn't require extensive discussion of traumatic details. The bilateral stimulation appears to facilitate processing at a neurological level, allowing healing to occur without necessarily requiring verbal insight.
Many clients find that EMDR produces changes more quickly than traditional talk therapy, though both approaches have their place in comprehensive treatment. EMDR can be particularly beneficial for specific traumatic incidents, while ongoing talk therapy might be more appropriate for exploring relationship patterns, developing coping skills, or addressing complex life situations.
For many clients, the most effective treatment combines EMDR for processing specific traumatic memories with traditional therapy approaches for developing overall emotional skills and insight. This integrated approach, available through our comprehensive trauma therapy services, allows for both targeted trauma healing and broader personal growth.
Beginning Your EMDR Journey
EMDR therapy offers a powerful path to healing from traumatic experiences. Each person's journey is unique, and seeking EMDR treatment demonstrates tremendous courage and self-compassion.
If you're considering EMDR therapy, professional guidance can help determine if this approach is right for you. Our EMDR consultation services provide additional information, and you can contact us to learn more about how EMDR might support your healing journey.
Ready to take the next step in your mental health journey? At Raincross Family Counseling, we're here to support you with compassionate, personalized care in the heart of the Inland Empire and beyond. Whether you're seeking individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, or specialized EMDR treatment, our experienced team is ready to walk alongside you toward healing and growth. Contact us today!
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