EMDR: What It Isn’t
EMDR can feel mysterious or even a little intimidating if you’ve only heard bits and pieces about it. This is Part 1 of a short series breaking down EMDR. In this post, we’ll clear up a common misconception and explain what EMDR really is and what it isn’t.
Okay, maybe you’ve heard about EMDR. Maybe you’ve accidentally called it EDM (understandable as both involve rhythm, but only one involves a DJ). Maybe a celebrity mentioned it.
Whatever the case, I want to briefly talk about what EMDR is - and what it isn’t.
First, what it isn’t.
EMDR is not about erasing your trauma. There’s a common idea out there that EMDR “desensitizes” you by wiping away the memory, or that it retraumatizes you by making you relive the worst thing that ever happened. That isn’t the case.
EMDR is based on something called the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which looks at how the brain stores memories. When something overwhelming or traumatic happens, the brain can essentially get stuck on that experience. It’s trying so hard to protect you that it keeps sounding the alarm, as if the threat is still happening again and again.
The intention is protective. But over time, it can start to feel self-sabotaging. If you’re reading this, you’re likely safe in this moment, but your brain may still be storing that memory as if you’re back there. Because of that, your body responds too: tension, stomach issues, anxiety, shallow breathing.
Okay, that was a lot. So, where does EMDR come in?
I like to describe unprocessed memories like a knot. The images, sensations, emotions, and triggers are all tangled together, and it can feel impossible to separate them. EMDR is a structured way to help untangle that knot with the support of a therapist.
By approaching the memory with intention and safety, the brain is able to reorganize it using what we call adaptive information — reminders that the experience is over, that you survived, and that you are no longer in danger. Your brain naturally wants to heal; EMDR simply provides the structure and felt safety it needs to do so.
EMDR:
what it isn’t
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 finally process memories in a way that feels healing. Sometimes just learning a little about how it works is the first step toward feeling a bit more grounded in your own body.
This is the first post in our EMDR series. In upcoming posts, we’ll explore who EMDR can help and what it actually feels like in therapy.
