What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)? Is it as powerful as they say?

When you carry the weight of past experiences, finding a path toward healing can feel overwhelming. EMDR has emerged as a transformative approach for individuals seeking relief from distressing memories. This specialized therapy helps your brain process stuck information, allowing you to move forward with a sense of peace.

With EMDR, clinicians help patients bridge the gap between painful history and present stability. It has become a cornerstone of modern mental health care because it addresses the root of the struggle rather than just the symptoms. This process encourages the brain to naturally reprocess difficult events, fostering long-term recovery.

The Origins and Development of EMDR

Francine Shapiro and the Discovery of Bilateral Stimulation

In 1987, psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro noticed that certain eye movements seemed to reduce the intensity of her own distressing thoughts. While walking through a park, she realized that moving her eyes back and forth while focusing on a negative memory made the memory feel less intense, less emotional.

This accidental discovery led her to investigate the potential of bilateral stimulation as a therapeutic tool. Bilateral stimulation is movement that crosses the midline, right to left sides of the body. These movements include moving eyes rapidly from left to right, self-tapping on your collar bone or knees, or holding paddles that alternately vibrate. She hypothesized that these rhythmic movements could help the brain process stuck information more effectively. This breakthrough laid the foundation for what would become a widely recognized evidence-based therapy.

From Behavioral Therapy to Complete Care

Initially, the practice was viewed through the lens of traditional behavioral therapy, focusing primarily on desensitization (reducing the reaction to a trigger). However, as clinicians applied the method to diverse populations, it evolved into a comprehensive model. It moved beyond simple symptom management to address the root causes of psychological distress.

Today, this therapy is celebrated for its ability to integrate cognitive, emotional, and physiological aspects of healing. The transition from a narrow behavioral technique to a robust evidence-based therapy demonstrates the power of clinical innovation. Practitioners can now offer patients a path toward lasting recovery through the strategic use of bilateral stimulation.

Core Principles of EMDR

At the heart of EMDR lies a sophisticated model that explains how our minds handle difficult experiences. This therapeutic approach has a foundation of neuroscience, healing the pain of their history. By focusing on how the brain naturally processes information, this method supports long-term psychological healing.

When a person experiences a distressing event, the brain may fail to integrate the memory properly. Rather than being filed away as a past event, the memory remains stuck in the nervous system. This means that sights, sounds, and feelings associated with the trauma can feel as vivid as if they were happening in the present moment. Have you ever had the experience where you remember a minor event from your childhood, and are surprised that you are having an emotional response? Or maybe there is one experience that seems to keep replaying in your mind? Examples include having the wrong answer when called upon in school, or not being invited to that 5th grade roller skating party. These are examples of ‘stuck’ memories.

These unprocessed memories are stored in isolated networks. Because they do not connect to more adaptive information, the result is continued distress. Adaptive information includes other relevant information that is temporarily out of reach. This can include the fact that the experience came to a healthy conclusion, you are able to stand up for yourself now, or that other kids made mistakes too. This lack of integration leads to an inability to progress, even when they consciously know the danger has passed.

These are a few of our favorite videos that describe EMDR:

The Role of Bilateral Stimulation in Memory Processing

To unlock these frozen memories, practitioners use bilateral stimulation. This technique involves rhythmic left-to-right eye movements, taps, or tones. While we don’t know exactly how the bilateral movement brings about these changes, it is proven effective time and again. The leading theory is that of working memory. Our brain can only accurately hold onto so much information at one time. It’s too difficult for the brain to retain this emotional memory, with all of its activation, while it focuses on a distraction (the bilateral movement). As a result, the memory loses its energy and becomes more rational. It’s similar to walking into a room and having no idea why.

As the brain processes these memories, the intensity of the associated emotions begins to fade. This shift is essential for achieving lasting emotional regulation and restoring a sense of balance to one’s mental health. What makes EMDR different than other therapies is that it addresses the cause of the symptoms (PTSD, depression, anxiety). After processing a car accident memory, you will no longer feel the resulting anxiety with driving. Your thinking brain is in charge, reminding you that this event is in the past and you are safe in the present.

How do I Find a Qualified EMDR Therapist?

When looking for a qualified EMDR therapist, the first place to look is on the EMDRIA website. The EMDR International Association is the body that regulates both how EMDR is trained, and the therapists that wish to move up the credentialing process. There are companies that offer EMDR trainings, however they do not hold the same rigorous expectations, including supervised practice. Make sure your therapist has EMDRIA approval before moving forward.

There are several levels of EMDR therapists:

• EMDR in training: Currently participating in the 50 hours of training. This includes lecture, video and live demonstrations of key principles, and practicing with another trainee while an experienced EMDR therapist observes and gives live feed-back. They are also participating in 10 hours of group sessions, where they share their use of EMDR, review lecture material and learn from their peers’ experiences.
• EMDR trained: Completed the 50 hours or training, the 10 hours of group and a post-test demonstrating their knowledge. No further actions are necessary to keep this status.
• EMDR certified: After becoming EMDR trained, these therapist continue their learning by taking at least 12 hours of advanced trainings, have an additional 20 hours of oversight with a higher level EMDR therapist (including audio tapes of actual sessions), and have completed a minimum number of processing sessions. Certification must be renewed every 2 years, an additional 12 hours of advanced trainings is required at each renewal.
• EMDR Consultant in Training (CIT): After becoming certified, they continue to learn by taking another 12 hours of advanced training and have more processing sessions completed. They are also required to have a minimum of 20 hours of oversight from an Approved Consultant (the next levelup). The Approved Consultant will evaluate the CIT’s ability to correctly guide and support newly trained therapists in their use of EMDR with their clients. The audio/video used here will be of the CIT offering consultation to the therapist that is either in training or trained.
• EMDR Approved Consultant: Once all the above requirements are met, the therapist will now have the title of Approved Consultant. This credential requires 12 hours of advanced training and renewal every two years.
• EMDR Trainer: This is the highest level of credentialing for an EMDR therapist. There are believed to be less than 250 trainers in the United States. In addition to being an Approved Consultant, the trainer has to go through a rigorous screening process. The curriculum has to meet very specific criteria about content and length of time spent on topics, the in training practicum experiences, even how the learning management system works. They are also required to answer a series of questions around how they handle certain situations, learner engagement, and being culturally sensitive and aware. Trainer status is renewed every 2 years by answering the training specific short essay questions.

If you have further questions about EMDR, either as a therapist or as a potential client, please reach out to Heather Dunn, EMDRIA Approved trainer, at heather@bluehorizoncounseling.com.

---

Read our next articles in this series:
What can I expect from EMDR therapy? A Session to Session Guide
How is EMDR Different From Talk Therapy?
How Effective is EMDR with Anxiety and Depression?
How Effective is EMDR with Adolescents?

At Blue Horizon Counseling we have several therapists that are passionate and qualified in EMDR therapy.

You’re Not Alone. Our Therapists are here to help, in Pearland, TX.

Hang in there. This won’t last forever, even if some days feel like it might. You’re planting the seeds for future blossoms. All our therapists at Blue Horizon Counseling offer sessions both in person and via telehealth.  Find the right therapist for you. We accept most major insurance plans.

Written by Heather Dunn, Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, specializing in trauma, dissociation and EMDR. Heather has been practicing for over 20 years and enjoys sharing her knowledge and helpful tips.

If you found this article helpful, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.