EMDR: What It Is (And How It Actually Helps)
This is Part 2 of our short series breaking down EMDR therapy. In this post, we’ll explore what EMDR actually is, how it works in the brain, and how it can help adults process difficult experiences more smoothly (kind of like stretching before a run to get your body ready).
So, What Is EMDR?
Okay, so we’ve talked about what EMDR isn’t. Now let’s talk about what it is.
EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Research has found that when we use something called bilateral stimulation, or left-to-right movements, it does something important to the brain. It activates multiple brain regions at the same time, which helps the brain process experiences in a more integrated way.
Stretching Before a Run
Think of it like this. Let’s say you’re going on a run in the morning. You just woke up. Your body feels stiff. You don’t stretch. Your muscles aren’t activated. It might hurt, and you may be risking injury when you try to go for a quick jog.
On the other hand, let’s say you stretch and warm up the muscles you’re going to use. You’re less prone to injury. Maybe you don’t even feel like your bones are going to break from the impact as much. Your body is simply more ready for the run.
Activating muscles is similar to activating the brain. Especially when we have gone through something painful or traumatic, that memory gets stored in a part of the brain focused more on survival than logic. You might understand something intellectually, but your body and emotions haven’t caught up yet.
How EMDR Helps Memories Integrate
By using bilateral stimulation (big word, but it’s just warming up the right muscles in your brain), we can help that memory integrate with more helpful information. Instead of constantly believing what one or a few experiences told you (“I’m worthless,” “I’m not safe,” or “I’m a disappointment”), there’s more room for perspective and self-compassion as the brain becomes more organized and connected.
I like to explain EMDR as directive processing. We map out some memories we will be reprocessing, and we ensure you have the resources to work through the heavy stuff. That doesn’t mean being pushed or rushed. Instead, we take time to stay intentional and in tuned.
Brain Tidbit
Every time we retrieve a memory, our brain is already reprocessing it (EMDR aside). When we use EMDR, we help guide your brain down a more supportive pathway instead of a rocky one that can create more distress.
You’re in control during the entire process, and you can stop at any point. When we reprocess, the memory often feels less intense. You may find it easier to believe the good. This does not erase your story. It changes how heavy it feels to carry.
Just like stretching before a run helps your body move more smoothly, EMDR helps your brain warm up so that you can navigate the challenges of life with less strain and more ease.
EMDR:
what it is
Curious About EMDR?
If you’re curious about EMDR but not sure if it’s for you, that’s completely normal. A lot of people feel the same way at first. EMDR is always done at your pace, and it can help your brain process memories in a way that feels less heavy and more manageable.
This is the second post in our EMDR series. In upcoming posts, we’ll explore who EMDR can help and what it actually feels like in therapy.
