What Is EMDR Therapy and How Can It Help?

At Middle Path Counseling, we are excited to now offer EMDR therapy as one of the ways we support clients on their healing journey. If you have heard of EMDR and wondered what it is or whether it might be helpful for you, you are not alone. This post is meant to explain EMDR in simple, easy-to-understand terms.

What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. While that name sounds complicated, the idea behind EMDR is actually quite simple.

When we experience something overwhelming or traumatic, our brain does not always fully process it. The memory can get “stuck” and continue to show up as anxiety, fear, emotional reactions, or physical sensations long after the event has passed.

EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories, so they feel less intense and no longer take over your present-day life.

How does EMDR work?

During EMDR sessions, your therapist will guide you to gently think about a memory or experience while also using bilateral stimulation. This might include:

Moving your eyes back and forth
Listening to alternating sounds
Feeling gentle taps on your hands

This process helps your brain do what it is naturally designed to do: heal and organize information. Over time, memories that once felt overwhelming often become less distressing and easier to think about.

You remain awake, in control, and supported throughout the entire process.

What can EMDR help with?

Many people seek EMDR for trauma, but it can help with much more than that. EMDR may be helpful if you experience:

Anxiety or panic
Trauma or PTSD
Distressing memories from childhood or adulthood
Negative beliefs about yourself (such as “I’m not good enough”)
Grief or loss
Phobias
Chronic stress

You do not need to have experienced a single, major traumatic event to benefit from EMDR. Many people come to EMDR for experiences that felt emotionally overwhelming or hard to process at the time.

What does EMDR feel like?

EMDR is not about reliving trauma in detail. Your therapist will move at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you. Some people notice emotional shifts, new insights, or a sense of relief during or after sessions. Others notice changes gradually over time.

Your therapist will also make sure you have coping tools and grounding skills before beginning EMDR work, so you feel supported both in and outside of sessions.

Is EMDR right for me?

EMDR is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and that is okay. Some people choose EMDR as their main therapy, while others blend it with talk therapy approaches like CBT or supportive counseling.

A therapist at Middle Path Counseling can help you decide whether EMDR feels like a good fit for your goals and comfort level.

We’re here to support you

Starting therapy or trying a new approach can feel like a big step. At Middle Path Counseling, our goal is to create a space that feels safe, collaborative, and compassionate. EMDR is just one of the many tools we use to help clients move forward with greater ease and confidence.

If you are curious about EMDR or wondering if it might be helpful for you, we would be happy to talk more and answer your questions.

Helping the Brain Heal: An Introduction to EMDR Therapy