If you’ve experienced something painful or overwhelming in your life, you may have noticed that those memories don’t always stay in the past. They can show up in unexpected ways — in your thoughts, your body, your sleep, or even in how you see yourself and your relationships. This is the nature of trauma. It can leave us feeling stuck, weighed down, or unable to move forward the way we want to.
The good news is: healing is possible.
One approach that has been shown to be especially helpful for people processing trauma is EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). It’s a method designed to help the brain work through difficult memories so they no longer hold the same power over your daily life.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma isn’t just about the “big” events we often think of, like accidents or natural disasters. It can also come from ongoing experiences, like childhood neglect, abusive relationships, or environments that didn’t feel safe or supportive. Trauma is less about the event itself and more about how it overwhelms our ability to cope.
Sometimes, trauma can leave us with:
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Repeated intrusive thoughts or memories
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Nightmares or sleep difficulties
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Feeling anxious, on edge, or easily startled
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Numbness, disconnection, or feeling “not like yourself”
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Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is a type of therapy that helps the brain reprocess painful memories in a safe and structured way. Instead of having to “relive” the trauma, EMDR uses gentle, guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation (like tapping or sounds) to help the brain make new connections.
Think of it this way: trauma memories sometimes get “stuck” in the brain, replaying as if they’re happening in the present. EMDR helps move those memories into the past where they belong. Clients often describe feeling a greater sense of relief, perspective, and calm after sessions.
What to Expect in EMDR
If you choose EMDR therapy, the process is always paced with your comfort in mind. The first step is creating safety and trust between you and your therapist. Before ever beginning EMDR, we spend time:
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Building coping strategies you can use outside of sessions
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Practicing mindfulness and grounding techniques
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Ensuring you feel ready and supported
When the EMDR process begins, your therapist will guide you through short sets of eye movements (or taps/sounds), while you focus briefly on parts of a memory. The goal isn’t to erase the memory, but to reduce the intensity and emotional charge it carries. Over time, many people report that memories feel less painful and more distant — allowing space for healing and new growth.
Why EMDR Can Be So Powerful
Trauma doesn’t define you, and it doesn’t have to control your life. EMDR works because it helps the brain do what it’s naturally wired to do: heal. Just as our body works to mend a wound, EMDR gives the brain the tools it needs to reprocess painful experiences.
Clients often find that after EMDR, they can:
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Recall the memory without feeling overwhelmed
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Feel calmer and more present in daily life
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Regain a sense of safety and control
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Discover strength and resilience they didn’t know they had
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
If you’re living with the effects of trauma, know that your reactions make sense — they are not your fault. And most importantly, you are not alone. Therapy can be a safe place to begin healing, step by step, at your own pace.
If you’d like to learn more about EMDR therapy or see if it may be a good fit for you, I’d be honored to walk alongside you in this journey.
