Understanding EMDR Therapy: A Path to Healing
- Angela Mitten
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
If you’ve ever felt stuck in painful memories or emotions that seem to resurface again and again, you’re not alone. Many of us carry the weight of past experiences—whether it’s trauma from childhood, difficult relationships, or long-standing struggles with self-worth or eating patterns. These memories can shape how we see ourselves, others, and the world, often creating barriers to healing and growth.
That’s where EMDR therapy comes in. But what exactly is EMDR, and how can it help?
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It’s a form of therapy designed to help you process distressing memories and emotions in a way that’s gentle, structured, and effective. Originally developed for PTSD, EMDR is now used to support healing from a wide range of challenges—including childhood trauma, anxiety, eating disorders, and difficult relationship patterns.
How Does EMDR Work?
At its core, EMDR helps your brain reprocess difficult memories so they no longer carry the same emotional charge. It does this through bilateral stimulation—usually in the form of eye movements, gentle taps, or sounds—while you focus briefly on a specific memory. This process supports your brain in making new, more adaptive connections.
You might think of it like this: when something traumatic happens, the memory can get “stuck”—like a song that keeps skipping at the same painful part. EMDR helps “unstick” that memory so your brain can finally process it fully and bring some resolution.
You Don’t Have to Retell Everything
One of the things many people find reassuring about EMDR is that it doesn’t require you to talk in detail about your trauma. If you’ve ever hesitated to reach out for support because the idea of retelling painful memories felt too overwhelming, you’re not alone.
With EMDR, the focus is on how the memory is held in your nervous system, not on reliving or retelling every detail. While we’ll identify the memory and how it impacts you today, you don’t have to describe everything that happened in order for healing to happen.
This can make the process feel safer and more contained, especially for those carrying memories that are hard to put into words—or that have never felt fully speakable.
The EMDR Process
In an EMDR session, we’ll start by building safety and grounding. Then, when you're ready, we’ll choose a memory to work with and gently explore how it’s affecting you—emotionally, physically, and mentally. The bilateral stimulation helps activate both sides of the brain, making it easier to process that memory and shift any negative beliefs that may have formed around it (like “I’m not safe” or “I’m not good enough”).
The goal isn’t to erase the memory, but to help you reframe it so it no longer holds the same power over your day-to-day life.
Why Might EMDR Be Helpful for You?
EMDR can be especially helpful if you:
Have tried talking therapies but still feel “stuck”
Struggle with anxiety or chronic self-doubt
Live with the echoes of childhood trauma or emotionally neglectful relationships
Feel triggered in your body but don’t always know why
Carry shame or fear that’s hard to shift, even when you “know better”
It’s not a quick fix—but for many people, it opens the door to healing in a deeper and more lasting way.
Is EMDR Right for You?
As with any therapy, EMDR isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. That’s why we’ll take time to explore whether it’s the right fit for you, and we’ll move at a pace that feels safe. EMDR can sometimes bring up strong emotions or sensations—but you won’t be alone in it. I’ll be there to support and guide you throughout the process.
Curious to Learn More?
If you’re wondering whether EMDR might be a supportive next step in your healing journey, I’d be glad to talk more. You’re welcome to book a call if you’d like to find out more—I’m always happy to have a conversation.
Healing is possible. And you don’t have to do it alone.
Warmly,
Ange
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