Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a well-known treatment for trauma, but it’s often surrounded by questions and concerns. You might have heard whispers about its intensity or wondered about the “dangers of EMDR therapy.” Is it truly safe? Can it make things worse?
If you’re considering EMDR, it’s smart to seek clear, honest answers. This article will provide a balanced look at EMDR, using evidence-based information to explore its effectiveness, potential risks, common side effects and the crucial role a skilled therapist plays in ensuring a safe healing process.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a structured psychotherapy technique primarily designed to help people heal from traumatic events and other distressing life experiences. The core idea behind EMDR is that trauma can cause certain memories to get “stuck” in the brain’s information processing system. These unprocessed memories can show up as PTSD symptoms, anxiety, negative beliefs and physical sensations.
EMDR uses a standardized eight-phase protocol that includes bilateral stimulation—most commonly, guided eye movements—to help the brain resume its natural healing process. This allows it to reprocess the traumatic memory, storing it in a way that no longer causes distress.
Why Is EMDR Therapy So Controversial?
The main controversy surrounding EMDR isn’t about if it works (the results are well-documented) but why it works. Researchers have not reached a final consensus on the exact mechanism of action.
The leading theory is that bilateral stimulation (like eye movements) helps activate the brain’s information processing system, similar to what happens during REM sleep, allowing it to integrate distressing memories. However, some critics have argued that eye movements aren’t necessary and that the therapy is simply a form of exposure therapy. Despite this debate, studies continue to show that the complete, eight-phase EMDR protocol is highly effective for trauma recovery.
Potential Risks of EMDR Therapy
The most significant risks associated with EMDR therapy almost always stem from two issues: inadequate therapist training or poor patient preparation. When done correctly, EMDR is a safe procedure. If not, there is risk of the following:
Retraumatization
Retraumatization can happen if a patient is guided to process a traumatic memory without having the necessary coping skills to manage the intense emotions that arise. This is why the standardized 8-phase EMDR protocol is so important. Phase 2: Preparation is dedicated entirely to ensuring you have the resources and grounding techniques needed to stay present and feel safe during the processing phases.
Dissociation
Yes, dissociation can occur during an EMDR session, especially for individuals with complex trauma histories or pre-existing dissociative disorders. Trained EMDR therapists are taught to screen for this risk. They will teach you specific grounding techniques to help you stay present and manage any dissociative feelings that may come up, ensuring the session remains safe and productive.
Common Side Effects of EMDR Therapy
It’s very common to feel a bit drained or out of sorts after an EMDR session. This is a sign that your brain is working hard to process difficult material.
Common side effects include:
- Intense emotions during the session
- Light-headedness, fatigue or nausea
- Feeling emotionally sensitive afterward
- Vivid or unusual dreams
During a session, you may experience strong emotional and physical responses as you access the targeted memory. It’s common to feel more vulnerable or emotionally raw for a day or two afterward as your mind continues to integrate the experience. Some people also report having vivid dreams, which is often seen as a sign that your brain is continuing to process the material between sessions.
These effects are typically temporary and are a normal part of the healing process.
Do things get worse before they get better with EMDR?
For many people, yes. Actively processing traumatic memories can temporarily increase your level of distress. It’s like cleaning out a wound; it’s uncomfortable during the process, but it’s necessary for true healing. A skilled therapist will prepare you for this and provide you with coping strategies to manage these feelings between sessions.
Debunking Common Myths About EMDR
Let’s clear up a few common misconceptions about EMDR therapy.
Myth #1: EMDR is a form of hypnosis.
This is false. During EMDR, you are fully awake, alert and in control of the process. You can stop the process at any time. Unlike hypnosis, you are an active participant directing the therapy with the therapist’s guidance.
Myth #2: EMDR can create false memories.
The goal of EMDR is to process existing memories, not to create new ones. While the potential for memory modification is a recognized risk in any form of trauma therapy, a properly trained EMDR therapist minimizes this risk. They are trained to follow your lead and not offer suggestive comments that could distort your memory network.
Myth #3: You have to talk about your trauma in detail.
This is a major difference from traditional therapy. EMDR does not require you to give a lengthy, detailed account of the traumatic event. The focus is on the internal processing of the images, beliefs, emotions and body sensations connected to the memory.
Does EMDR Therapy Actually Work?
Yes, EMDR is widely recognized as an effective treatment. It’s not an experimental approach; it’s backed by significant research and major health organizations.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs all endorse EMDR as an effective therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research has consistently shown that EMDR can significantly reduce the symptoms of trauma. In fact, many studies show it can produce positive outcomes in fewer sessions than some traditional talk therapies.
Benefits of EMDR
While best known for treating PTSD, the benefits of this therapy extend much further.
Reduces unhelpful thoughts and negative beliefs
Traumatic events often cause us to form deeply ingrained negative beliefs about ourselves or the world, such as:
- “I am powerless.”
- “I am not safe.”
- “I am unworthy.”
A core component of EMDR is targeting these “negative cognitions.”
Through the process of bilateral stimulation, the therapy helps you reprocess the distressing memory, effectively loosening the grip of the associated negative belief.
You then work to install a more positive and adaptive belief, such as “I have control now” or “I am safe and worthy.” This isn’t simply reciting an affirmation; it’s a profound shift where the new, positive belief feels genuinely true on a neurological level.
Needs less talking
For many individuals, recounting the specifics of a traumatic event over and over can be re-traumatizing and emotionally draining. Unlike many forms of talk therapy that require a detailed verbal narrative of the trauma, EMDR focuses on your internal experience.
While you will briefly identify the memory, the core of the processing happens internally, focusing on the images, emotions, body sensations and thoughts that arise. This makes it a valuable option for those who find it too painful or are unable to speak about their experiences in depth.
Increases self-esteem and confidence
Feelings of shame, guilt and low self-worth are common after-effects of trauma. By reprocessing the memories that fuel these feelings, EMDR directly addresses the root cause of this diminished self-esteem.
When a memory of being victimized no longer carries the emotional charge of helplessness or self-blame, you can begin to see yourself in a more accurate and compassionate light. This fundamental shift from within often leads to a significant and lasting increase in overall self-worth, confidence and personal empowerment.
Helps you move forward from being “stuck”
Trauma can disrupt the brain’s natural ability to process information, leaving memories “frozen” in their raw, unprocessed form. This is why a person may feel as if the past is constantly intruding on the present through flashbacks, nightmares or intense emotional reactions.
EMDR is thought to stimulate the brain’s Adaptive Information Processing system, essentially “unsticking” these frozen memories. It allows the brain to properly integrate the experience, filing it away as a memory that belongs in the past. This frees you from feeling trapped, allowing you to live more fully in the present without being constantly triggered by past events.
Can EMDR Help With Anxiety and Other Disorders?
Absolutely. While the strongest evidence is for treating PTSD, a growing body of research shows EMDR is also effective for a range of other mental health conditions, especially when they are rooted in adverse life experiences.
Skilled EMDR therapists regularly use the technique to help clients with:
- Anxiety disorders and panic disorder
- Depression and depressive symptoms
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Eating disorders
- Phobias
- Grief and loss
Who is the Right Candidate for EMDR Therapy?
EMDR can be a life-changing therapy for the right person at the right time. A good candidate is someone who:
- Is suffering from symptoms related to traumatic events, from single-incident trauma to complex childhood trauma.
- Has the stability to tolerate intense emotions during processing.
- Is willing to learn and use coping strategies between sessions.
- Has a strong, trusting relationship with their therapist (a strong therapeutic alliance is a key predictor of success in any psychotherapy).
Who Should Be Cautious or Avoid EMDR?
EMDR is powerful, and it isn’t the right starting point for everyone. Caution is advised for individuals who are not currently stable. This includes:
- Individuals with severe, active depression, especially with suicidal ideation. Stability must be the first priority before beginning intense trauma processing.
- People experiencing acute psychosis.
- Those with severe dissociative disorders who may require more specialized, phased treatment first.
It’s not that these individuals can never benefit from EMDR, but they may need other therapies first to build stability and coping skills. A qualified mental health professional can help determine if the timing is right for you.
How to Ensure a Safe EMDR Experience
To ensure your EMDR journey is safe and effective, prioritize finding a properly trained and certified therapist. A qualified professional will build a trusting relationship, guide you through the official 8-phase process without rushing and work with you to create a post-session plan with coping strategies to manage any emotional sensitivity.
EMDR therapy is a powerful tool for healing from traumatic memories. While there are potential side effects and risks, they are manageable and significantly minimized when you work with a skilled, certified EMDR therapist who follows the proper protocols. By understanding both the benefits and the potential challenges, you can make an informed decision and move forward on your path to recovery with confidence.
Ready to explore if EMDR or another form of mental health care is right for you? Our team of compassionate professionals is here to help you navigate your healing journey. Contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common side effects of EMDR therapy?
It’s common to experience temporary side effects like intense emotions, fatigue, light-headedness and vivid dreams after a session. These are normal signs that your brain is actively processing difficult material and they typically resolve within a day or two.
Can EMDR make my symptoms worse?
While processing trauma can temporarily increase distress, EMDR is a safe procedure when performed correctly by a trained professional. The most significant risks, like retraumatization, happen when a therapist is not properly trained or does not adequately prepare you with coping skills.
Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail during EMDR?
No, this is a key difference from many traditional talk therapies. EMDR does not require you to describe the traumatic event at length; instead, the focus is on your internal processing of the images, feelings and sensations connected to the memory.
Is EMDR a form of hypnosis?
This is a common myth, but it is false. During an EMDR session, you are fully awake, alert and in control of the entire process. You are an active participant and can choose to stop at any time.
Besides PTSD, what else can EMDR treat?
EMDR is effective for a range of mental health conditions that are often rooted in adverse life experiences. This includes anxiety disorders, panic attacks, depression, OCD, phobias, eating disorders and complicated grief.
Is everyone a good candidate for EMDR?
EMDR is not the right starting point for everyone, especially those who are not currently stable. A qualified professional may recommend other therapies first for individuals with severe active depression, psychosis or certain dissociative disorders to build stability before starting trauma work.
How can I ensure my EMDR therapy is safe?
The most important step is to work with a properly trained and certified EMDR therapist who follows the complete 8-phase protocol. Building a trusting relationship with your therapist and having a plan for managing emotions after sessions also contribute to a safe experience.
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