The Power of EMDR Therapy: How It Heals Trauma When Talk Therapy Isn't Enough
You've tried talking about it. Maybe you've been to therapy before. You understand what happened to you, but understanding doesn't make the nightmares stop. It doesn't quiet the racing heart when something triggers you. It doesn't erase that feeling of being frozen in the past.
This is where EMDR therapy comes in.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's a mouthful, but here's what it means: EMDR helps your brain process traumatic memories that got "stuck" so they no longer control your life.
And the research is remarkable. Studies show that up to 90% of single-trauma survivors no longer have PTSD after just three 90-minute sessions.
EMDR Therapy Success Rates
Sources: EMDR Institute, Journal of Traumatic Stress, World Health Organization
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR was developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987. She discovered that certain eye movements reduced the intensity of disturbing thoughts. From that observation, she developed a full treatment protocol that has now been researched in over 30 randomized controlled trials.
Here's what makes EMDR different from traditional talk therapy:
You don't have to talk through every detail of your trauma. Many people avoid therapy because they don't want to relive painful experiences out loud. EMDR focuses on changing the emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations connected to traumatic memories—not on detailed verbal processing.
It works faster. While traditional therapy for trauma can take months or years, many people see significant improvement with EMDR in 6-12 sessions.
It creates lasting change. Follow-up studies show symptom reduction continues for years after treatment ends.
🔄 How EMDR Is Different from Talk Therapy
How Does EMDR Work?
When something traumatic happens, your brain can get overwhelmed. The memory doesn't get processed and stored like normal memories. Instead, it stays "frozen" with all the original emotions, sensations, and beliefs attached.
That's why trauma survivors can feel like the event is happening right now, even years later. A smell, sound, or situation triggers the unprocessed memory, and suddenly they're flooded with the same fear, helplessness, or horror they felt originally.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—usually eye movements that mimic REM sleep patterns—to help your brain finally process these stuck memories. During EMDR:
You focus briefly on the traumatic memory
The therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or sounds)
Your brain naturally processes the memory
New insights surface while distressing feelings decrease
The memory becomes "just a memory"—something that happened, not something happening now
fMRI research shows EMDR reduces hyperactivity in the amygdala (your brain's fear center) and normalizes hippocampal function. This isn't just feeling better—it's actual neurological change.
🧠 How EMDR Heals Traumatic Memories
Before EMDR
Traumatic memory is "frozen" with original emotions, sensations, and beliefs still attached
During EMDR
Bilateral stimulation activates both brain hemispheres, mimicking natural healing during REM sleep
After EMDR
Memory becomes "just a memory" — something that happened, not something happening now
The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR follows a structured 8-phase protocol developed over decades of research. Here's what to expect:
Phase 1: History Taking and Treatment Planning
Your therapist gathers information about your past, focusing on traumatic or distressing experiences. Together, you identify which memories to target for processing. This isn't about rehashing every detail—it's about creating a roadmap for treatment.
Phase 2: Preparation
Your therapist explains what to expect in EMDR therapy, answers questions, and teaches you coping techniques. You'll learn grounding exercises and ways to manage any emotional disturbance that might come up. This phase builds trust and ensures you have tools for self-regulation.
Phase 3: Assessment
You identify the specific memory to work on, along with:
The image that represents the worst part
The negative belief about yourself connected to it (like "I'm not safe" or "I'm worthless")
The positive belief you'd prefer to have
The emotions and physical sensations you notice
How disturbing it feels on a 0-10 scale
"What I love about EMDR is watching clients realize they don't have to talk their way through trauma to heal from it. The brain already knows how to process difficult experiences—EMDR just helps it complete what got interrupted. Clients often tell me they finally feel free from memories that controlled them for years."
— Kayla Crane, LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, South Denver Therapy
Phase 4: Desensitization
This is the core of EMDR treatment. You hold the memory in mind while following your therapist's fingers with your eyes (or experiencing taps or tones). Sets of bilateral stimulation last about 30 seconds, then you report what you noticed.
The goal is reducing your disturbance level to zero or near-zero. Most people notice the memory becoming less vivid, the emotions less intense, and new perspectives emerging.
This phase can feel strange at first, but most people find it less distressing than expected. You're not reliving the trauma—you're processing it from a safe distance.
Phase 5: Installation
Once the disturbance decreases, your therapist helps strengthen the positive belief you identified earlier. Bilateral stimulation is used to "install" this new belief until it feels completely true when you think about the original memory.
Phase 6: Body Scan
Trauma lives in the body, not just the mind. In this phase, you scan from head to toe for any remaining tension, tightness, or discomfort related to the memory. If you find any, more bilateral stimulation helps these physical echoes resolve.
📋 The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy
History & Planning
Preparation
Assessment
Desensitization
Installation
Body Scan
Closure
Reevaluation
Phase 7: Closure
Every session ends with closure, ensuring you leave feeling calm and grounded—even if processing isn't complete. Your therapist guides you through relaxation techniques and reviews coping strategies to use between sessions.
Phase 8: Reevaluation
Each new session begins by checking in on previously processed memories. Are the positive changes holding? Is disturbance still low? This phase ensures treatment is working and guides next steps.
What Conditions Can EMDR Treat?
While EMDR was originally developed for trauma, research shows it helps with many conditions:
PTSD and Trauma
EMDR is recognized as a first-line treatment for PTSD by the World Health Organization, American Psychological Association, and Department of Veterans Affairs. It's effective for:
Single-incident trauma (accidents, assaults, natural disasters)
Combat trauma (veterans and first responders)
Medical trauma
✅ Conditions EMDR Can Treat
Trauma & PTSD
- Single-incident trauma
- Complex PTSD
- Childhood trauma
- Combat/military trauma
Anxiety Disorders
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Social anxiety
- Generalized anxiety
Other Conditions
- Depression
- Grief & loss
- OCD
- Chronic pain
Anxiety and Panic
EMDR can target the root experiences that created anxiety patterns. It's effective for:
Generalized anxiety
Social anxiety
Performance anxiety
Depression
A 2024 meta-analysis found EMDR effective for depression, with stronger effects for more severe cases. The effect size was 0.99 for severe depression—indicating substantial improvement.
Other Conditions
Research shows promising results for:
Eating disorders
Chronic pain
Addiction
Sleep disturbances
2024 Research on EMDR for Depression
A 2024 meta-analysis found EMDR's effectiveness increases with depression severity:
0.46
Effect size for mild-moderate depression
0.99
Effect size for severe depression
Source: PMC Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, 2024
EMDR vs. Traditional Talk Therapy
How does EMDR compare to other trauma treatments? Here's what the research shows:
EMDR vs. CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
A systematic review in PMC found both EMDR and trauma-focused CBT are effective for PTSD. Key differences:
Speed: EMDR often works faster, especially for specific traumatic memories
Homework: CBT requires practice between sessions; EMDR doesn't
Approach: CBT focuses on changing thoughts; EMDR processes the underlying memory
Dropout rates: EMDR has slightly lower dropout rates, possibly because it requires less verbal processing
Seven of 10 studies reported EMDR to be more rapid and/or more effective than trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.
Not sure which is right for you? Read our comparison of EMDR vs. CBT.
⚖️ EMDR vs. CBT for Trauma
| Factor | EMDR | CBT |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of results | ✓ Often faster | Takes longer |
| Homework required | ✓ None | Yes, regular practice |
| Verbal processing | ✓ Minimal | Extensive |
| Dropout rate | ✓ Lower | Higher |
| Effectiveness for PTSD | ✓ Highly effective | ✓ Highly effective |
Both are APA-recommended. 7 of 10 studies found EMDR faster and/or more effective than trauma-focused CBT.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR?
EMDR may be right for you if:
You've experienced trauma that still affects you
Talk therapy helped you understand your past but didn't resolve symptoms
You have flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories
Certain triggers send you into panic or shutdown
You feel stuck despite years of therapy
You struggle to talk about what happened
Physical symptoms accompany emotional distress
EMDR is effective for children and teens as well as adults. It can even be done through telehealth.
Who Should Not Do EMDR?
EMDR isn't appropriate for everyone. Your therapist will assess whether EMDR is right for you, but it may not be recommended if you:
Have active psychosis or severe dissociation (without stabilization first)
Are in crisis or actively suicidal
Have certain eye conditions that make bilateral movement difficult
Aren't ready to address traumatic material
Read more about who can benefit from EMDR and who cannot.
🎯 EMDR May Be Right for You If...
What Does EMDR Feel Like?
People describe EMDR differently, but common experiences include:
During sessions:
Feeling like you're watching the memory from a distance
Noticing emotions shift and lessen
Having new thoughts or perspectives pop up
Physical sensations releasing (tension, tightness)
Sometimes feeling tired afterward
Between sessions:
Continued processing through dreams
Memories surfacing naturally
Feeling lighter or clearer
Noticing triggers have less power
Most people find EMDR less distressing than they expected. You're never forced to share more than you're comfortable with, and your therapist ensures you feel grounded before leaving.
💭 What Does EMDR Feel Like?
During Sessions:
- Watching the memory from a distance
- Emotions shifting and lessening
- New perspectives emerging
- Physical tension releasing
- Feeling tired afterward
Between Sessions:
- Continued processing through dreams
- Memories surfacing naturally
- Feeling lighter or clearer
- Triggers losing their power
- Gradual sense of relief
💡 Most people find EMDR less distressing than expected. You're never forced to share more than you're comfortable with.
How Long Does EMDR Take?
Treatment length depends on several factors:
Single-incident trauma (car accident, one-time assault, natural disaster):
Often 3-6 sessions
Studies show up to 90% recover from PTSD in this timeframe
Multiple traumas or complex PTSD:
Typically 8-12+ sessions
More preparation work may be needed first
Processing happens layer by layer
Ongoing symptoms after other treatments:
Length varies based on what's been tried
Many people see progress faster than with previous therapies
Your EMDR therapist in Castle Rock will discuss expected treatment length based on your specific situation.
⏱️ How Long Does EMDR Take?
3-6
sessions
Single-Incident Trauma
Car accident, assault, one-time event
8-12
sessions
Multiple Traumas
Several events, ongoing abuse
12+
sessions
Complex PTSD
Childhood trauma, long-term abuse
How Much Does EMDR Cost?
EMDR session costs vary by location and therapist. Learn more about how much EMDR therapy costs in 2025.
Many people find EMDR is cost-effective because:
Fewer sessions are typically needed than traditional therapy
Results are lasting, reducing need for ongoing treatment
The return on investment in quality of life is immeasurable
Some therapists offer EMDR intensives—extended sessions over a few days that can accelerate progress.
Finding the Right EMDR Therapist
Not all therapists are trained in EMDR. When looking for an EMDR therapist, ask:
Are you EMDR-trained? Look for completion of EMDRIA-approved training.
How many EMDR clients have you treated? Experience matters.
Do you use the full 8-phase protocol? Some therapists use only parts of EMDR.
What's your approach to preparation and stabilization? Good therapists don't rush into processing.
At South Denver Therapy, our therapists are trained in EMDR and specialize in trauma treatment.
🔍 Questions to Ask an EMDR Therapist
Look for EMDRIA-approved training completion
Experience with trauma matters significantly
Some therapists use only parts of EMDR
Good therapists don't rush into processing
❓ Quick Answers to Common EMDR Questions
Will EMDR make me forget what happened?
No. You'll remember, but it won't have the same emotional charge.
Is EMDR the same as hypnosis?
No. You remain fully conscious and in control. You can stop anytime.
Does it work if I don't remember the trauma?
Yes. EMDR can work with fragmentary memories, sensations, or emotional responses.
Can EMDR make things worse?
Temporary increased distress is possible but typically resolves quickly with proper preparation.
Real Stories of EMDR Success
While every person's experience is different, many EMDR clients report:
Finally sleeping through the night after years of nightmares
Being able to drive past the accident site without panicking
Feeling present in their body for the first time in years
Relationships improving as triggers decrease
Reclaiming parts of life they'd been avoiding
The research confirms these experiences. Studies consistently show 77-90% of trauma survivors no longer meet PTSD criteria after completing EMDR treatment.
EMDR Success Rates by Trauma Type
Percentage no longer meeting PTSD diagnostic criteria after treatment
EMDR and Relationships
Trauma doesn't just affect individuals—it affects relationships too. Unprocessed trauma can lead to:
Difficulty with emotional intimacy
Reactive behaviors that hurt partners
Healing trauma through EMDR often improves relationships naturally. Learn more about how EMDR therapy can help relationships.
For couples dealing with trauma's impact, couples counseling combined with individual EMDR can be powerful.
💕 How Trauma Healing Improves Relationships
Unprocessed trauma affects how we connect with others. EMDR healing often leads to:
Deeper trust
Better communication
More emotional intimacy
Fewer reactive behaviors
Take the First Step
Trauma doesn't have to define your life. EMDR offers a path to healing that's faster, less re-traumatizing, and more effective than many people expect.
If you're ready to explore whether EMDR is right for you:
Take our PTSD quiz to assess your symptoms
Read our EMDR resource guide
Contact us to schedule a consultation
Our EMDR therapists serve Castle Rock, Denver, Parker, and all of Colorado through online therapy.
"One of the most rewarding parts of my work is when a client comes in and says, 'That thing that used to send me into a panic? It happened again, and I was fine.' That's the power of EMDR—it doesn't just manage symptoms, it resolves the root cause. The memory is still there, but it no longer runs your life."
— Kayla Crane, LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, South Denver Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy
What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps your brain process traumatic memories that got "stuck." During EMDR, you focus briefly on the traumatic memory while following bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements). This activates your brain's natural healing processes, similar to what happens during REM sleep, allowing the memory to become "just a memory" rather than something that feels like it's happening now.
How effective is EMDR therapy for PTSD?
Extremely effective. Research shows up to 90% of single-trauma survivors no longer have PTSD after just three 90-minute sessions. For combat veterans and those with multiple traumas, 77% are PTSD-free after 12 sessions. EMDR is recognized as a first-line treatment for PTSD by the World Health Organization, American Psychological Association, and Department of Veterans Affairs.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
It depends on your trauma history. Single-incident trauma (car accident, one-time assault) often resolves in 3-6 sessions. Multiple traumas typically require 8-12 sessions. Complex PTSD from childhood trauma or long-term abuse may need 12+ sessions. Many people notice improvement after just 1-3 sessions.
Is EMDR the same as hypnosis?
No. Unlike hypnosis, you remain fully conscious and in complete control during EMDR. You can stop the process at any time. You're not in a trance state—you're aware of your surroundings, can speak with your therapist, and are actively participating in the process.
Do I have to talk about every detail of my trauma during EMDR?
No, and this is one of EMDR's biggest advantages. You don't need to describe the traumatic event in detail. Your therapist needs only enough information to guide the processing. Many people who avoid therapy because they don't want to relive painful experiences find EMDR much more comfortable than traditional talk therapy.
Can EMDR help with anxiety and depression, not just trauma?
Yes. While EMDR was developed for trauma, research shows it's effective for anxiety disorders (panic attacks, phobias, social anxiety), depression, OCD, grief, chronic pain, and more. A 2024 meta-analysis found EMDR's effectiveness actually increases with depression severity, with an effect size of 0.99 for severe depression.
What does EMDR feel like during a session?
Most people describe feeling like they're watching the memory from a safe distance rather than reliving it. You may notice emotions shifting and lessening, new perspectives emerging, and physical tension releasing. Some feel tired afterward. Between sessions, you might have vivid dreams as processing continues naturally.
Can EMDR be done online or does it have to be in person?
EMDR can be done effectively through telehealth. Research supports online EMDR as just as effective as in-person sessions. Therapists use visual cues on screen for bilateral stimulation, or you can use self-tapping. This makes EMDR accessible even if you can't travel to an office.
What if I've tried EMDR before and it didn't work?
Many factors affect EMDR success: therapist experience, adequate preparation before processing, and your readiness to address traumatic material. A different therapist or more thorough preparation phase may yield different results. Some people also benefit from combining EMDR with other approaches like stabilization techniques for complex trauma.
How do I know if EMDR is working?
You'll typically notice decreased disturbance levels during sessions (measured on a 0-10 scale), fewer symptoms between sessions (less anxiety, better sleep, fewer flashbacks), and lasting improvement over time. Triggers that used to send you into panic start losing their power. The memory is still there, but it no longer controls your emotional responses.
Related Articles
What to Expect in EMDR Therapy
A complete guide to your first EMDR sessions.
EMDR for Complex PTSD
How EMDR helps heal childhood and complex trauma.
EMDR Therapy for Anxiety
Using EMDR to treat anxiety disorders and panic.
EMDR vs CBT: Which Is Right for You?
Comparing two effective trauma treatments.
Ready to Heal from Trauma?
EMDR therapy offers a path to healing that's faster and less re-traumatizing than many people expect. Take the first step today.
EMDR Therapy Locations
Castle Rock • Denver • Parker • Highlands Ranch • Online Throughout Colorado
