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What Is EMDR and Could It Help You Heal from Trauma?

  • jenniferlundy0
  • Sep 9
  • 3 min read

When life feels overwhelming after painful or traumatic experiences, many people look for a way to heal that goes beyond traditional talk therapy. One approach that has helped countless individuals process painful events is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). At Positive Change Counseling Center, we specialize in providing EMDR treatment to help clients find relief, build resilience, and restore a positive belief in themselves and their future.


What Is EMDR?

EMDR, short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a form of psychotherapy developed to help people heal from disturbing life events. Rather than simply discussing trauma, EMDR uses guided techniques such as bilateral stimulation—often through side-to-side eye movements, taps, or sounds—that mimic the natural movement in REM sleep internal processes.


During EMDR treatment, the brain is gently encouraged to process the memory of a traumatic event. This helps reduce its emotional intensity while allowing healthier, more adaptive thoughts to take its place.


Why EMDR Works for Trauma

Trauma can leave people with ongoing symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, or intense fear. In some cases, these can develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition that impacts both emotional and physical health.


EMDR treatment is designed to help the brain reprocess these traumatic memories, breaking the cycle of fear, negative thought, and powerlessness. Instead of being stuck in the past, clients gradually build space for new coping skills, resilience, and healthier perspectives.


Evidence-Based Recognition

EMDR is not an experimental therapy—it has been widely studied and endorsed as an effective treatment for PTSD. In fact, millions of the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization, and the Department of Defense recognize EMDR as a proven approach for individuals living with trauma and traumatic stress disorder PTSD.

This level of endorsement highlights how EMDR has become a trusted method for helping people who struggle with the lasting impact of traumatic experiences.


How EMDR Sessions Work

In EMDR sessions at Positive Change Counseling Center, clinicians help clients activate their natural healing processes in a structured and supportive way. A typical session might involve:

  • Identifying the memory: The client recalls a traumatic event or negative thought that still causes distress.

  • Bilateral stimulation: Guided eye movement desensitization or other forms of bilateral stimulation are introduced.

  • Desensitization and reprocessing EMDR: The memory is brought to mind while the brain is simultaneously guided to reprocess it.

  • Installing positive belief: As the emotional weight of the memory lessens, clients are encouraged to strengthen new, healthier self-beliefs.

Sometimes, homework may also be recommended to support healing between visits.


What Clients Can Expect

Many clients conclude EMDR therapy feeling lighter, freer, and more in control of their emotions. The process doesn’t erase memories—it helps to change the way the brain and body respond to them. Over time, the once-disturbing memory becomes less overwhelming.


People who complete EMDR often report that while they still remember what happened, they no longer feel hijacked by the intense emotions connected to it. Instead, they can move forward with a stronger sense of self and a renewed sense of hope.


Who Can Benefit from EMDR?

While EMDR is best known as an effective treatment for PTSD, it can also be beneficial for anyone struggling with:

  • Anxiety related to past events

  • Grief and loss

  • Low self-esteem tied to negative thought patterns

  • Stress from childhood experiences

  • Trauma from accidents, abuse, or violence

The flexibility of EMDR makes it a valuable tool for helping people move beyond the painful impact of the past.


EMDR vs. Traditional Therapy

Unlike traditional talk therapy, where clients spend extended time revisiting details of traumatic experiences, EMDR uses structured sets of movement desensitization and reprocessing techniques. These methods allow clients to engage their body’s natural healing systems without getting lost in the story.


For some, this feels less overwhelming and more empowering. By the end, many clients conclude EMDR therapy feeling relief and a restored ability to live fully in the present.


Taking the First Step Toward Healing

Trauma can leave deep marks, but healing is possible. If you or someone you love is struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder or other lingering effects of trauma, EMDR may be the path forward.


At Positive Change Counseling Center, our trained clinicians guide each person through the EMDR process safely and compassionately. Whether your trauma stems from recent events or experiences long ago, EMDR can help you find balance and rebuild a sense of peace.


Call to Action

If you’re ready to explore how EMDR could support your healing, we encourage you to reach out. Don’t wait to start reclaiming your life from traumatic memories and distress. Bring them in for therapy—your healing matters.


Contact Positive Change Counseling Center today to schedule a consultation and learn how EMDR treatment can help you process the past, rebuild a positive belief in yourself, and step into a future filled with resilience and hope.

 

 
 
 

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