EMDR Therapy: What It Is and How It Helps
- Amy May
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based trauma therapy used to help people heal from distressing experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones—to help the brain reprocess painful memories so they feel less overwhelming.
Mental health professionals widely recognize and use EMDR within their practices. The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) is recognized as a primary authority on training, standards, and research. According to EMDRIA, EMDR therapy is grounded in neuroscience and is one of the most effective treatments available for trauma and trauma-related symptoms.
Why EMDR Matters
Whether someone is navigating childhood trauma, relationship wounds, medical trauma, workplace stress, or a significant life transition, trauma can leave the brain stuck in “survival mode.” Many people seek EMDR because they want a therapy that goes deeper than coping strategies and helps them heal at the root.
EMDR uses the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, developed by Francine Shapiro, which explains that the brain is naturally wired to heal—EMDR helps restart that process.
What EMDR Can Help With
EMDR is used to support individuals experiencing:
PTSD and complex trauma
Childhood emotional neglect or attachment wounds
Anxiety, panic, and chronic stress
Medical, birth, or accident-related trauma
Grief and significant life changes
Workplace or relationship trauma
Negative self-beliefs and low self-worth
Emotional overwhelm, irritability, or sleep issues
This range is part of why EMDR is becoming one of the most sought-after trauma therapies.
How EMDR Works: The 8-Phase EMDRIA Model
Please refer to this blog post for more information about this process: EMDR Therapy Process Explained: A Step-by-Step Breakdown for New Clients
What EMDR Feels Like
Folks who try EMDR often say it feels:
Deep but not overwhelming when properly resourced
Emotionally relieving
Different from talk therapy in a good way
Surprisingly efficient
Like finally getting “unstuck”
Many clients report feeling lighter, calmer, and more in control after sessions.
Is EMDR Safe?
Yes. EMDR is well supported by research and is recommended by many mental health professionals. According to EMDRIA, it is considered a first-line treatment for trauma by leading global health organizations.
You can pause at any time, and your therapist will always work at a pace that feels safe for your nervous system.
Who Is a Good Fit for EMDR?
EMDR may be right for you if:
You feel stuck in patterns that don’t match who you want to be
Past experiences still shape your reactions or relationships
You’ve tried talk therapy but want something deeper
You struggle with anxiety, shame, or long-held self-criticism
You’re navigating significant life transitions and want emotional clarity
Many Canadians choose EMDR when they’re ready for meaningful, lasting change.
Final Thoughts: EMDR Helps Heal at the Root
EMDR therapy offers a powerful, research-supported way to heal experiences that still affect your day-to-day life. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, grief, or old emotional patterns, EMDR can help your brain do what it’s naturally built to do—heal.
If you’re in Ontario and curious about whether EMDR is right for you, I’d be happy to talk and explore the next steps together.
Amy
References
Shapiro, F. (1989). Eye Movement Desensitization: A New Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 20(3), 211–217.
Shapiro, F. (2001). EMDR: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures. Guilford Press.
Shapiro, F. (2018). EMDR Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). What Is EMDR Therapy? https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
World Health Organization (2013). Guidelines for the Management of Conditions Specifically Related to Stress.
American Psychological Association (2017). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of PTSD in Adults.
Lee, C. W., & Cuijpers, P. (2013). A Meta-Analysis of EMDR for Treating PTSD. Psychological Medicine, 43(9), 1791–1802.
van der Kolk, B. et al. (2007). A Randomized Clinical Trial of EMDR vs. Fluoxetine for PTSD. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 68(1), 37–46.
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