EMDR Therapy FAQs: Everything You Need to Know Before You Start

here are some of the most common questions people ask about EMDR

what is emdr?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapy commonly used to treat trauma and PTSD, though it can also help with anxiety, depression, OCD, substance use, and other emotional concerns. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (BLS) — such as eye movements, tapping, sounds, or buzzers — while processing distressing memories or intrusive thoughts to help reduce emotional distress and improve emotional regulation and coping.

For a more descriptive read on this topic, read my other blog, An Introduction to EMDR Therapy.

is emdr like hypnosis?

Nope. EMDR is not hypnosis. During EMDR, you remain fully awake, aware, and actively engaged during your session. While EMDR uses BLS that mimics brain activity associated with REM sleep, it does not place you into a trance-like or altered state of consciousness. Unlike hypnosis, which often involves deep relaxation and a trance state, EMDR focuses on helping you process distressing memories while staying connected to the present moment.

can you do virtual session for emdr?

Yes. EMDR changed significantly during COVID-19 (I know, yikes with this reminder). Since then, telehealth EMDR has remained a beneficial option for many clients.

That said, virtual EMDR is not a good fit for everyone, and many people still prefer in-person sessions. Your clinician may also prefer in person sessions for this type of work. The most important thing is finding what feels safe, comfortable, and effective for you and your needs.

does emdr work for children?

Yes! - We have several children’s clinicians specially trained in EMDR for working with the kiddos and teens.

how many sessions do you need?

The length of EMDR treatment varies from person to person and depends on factors such as how your nervous system responds to processing, the severity of symptoms or trauma, and the amount of coping skills and resourcing needed beforehand. More complex trauma or complex PTSD typically involves longer-term treatment and ongoing processing. EMDR is meant to move at a pace that feels manageable and supportive for you.

what are the “side effects” of emdr?

Like any form of trauma-focused therapy, EMDR can sometimes lead to temporary emotional or physical reactions during or after processing sessions. These responses are common and can be part of how the brain and body process distressing experiences. Possible responses may include:

• Fatigue: Emotional and mental exhaustion following intensive processing work is very common.
• Physical sensations: When we’re working through things our body feels it and “side effects” from the work can show up in the form of headaches, dizziness, nausea, muscle tension, or lightheadedness during or after sessions.
• Continued processing between sessions: New memories, emotions, thoughts, or insights may emerge outside of therapy sessions. Journaling or keeping a log, or what is called a TICES is helpful. (TICES: Trigger, Image, Cognition, Emotion, Sensation).
• Emotional intensity: Temporary increases in anxiety, sadness, irritability, emotional sensitivity, or difficulty using typical coping skills. Some people describe feeling emotionally “raw” for a short period after processing.
• Vivid dreams or nightmares: Sleep and dreaming may be impacted as the brain continues processing memories. Historical nightmares may return, or you may experience nightmares for what feels like a “new” PTSD symptom.
• Dissociation: Some individuals may feel detached, emotionally numb, or experience an altered sense of time or surroundings due to activating your nervous system and trauma memories.
• Physical release responses: Shaking, trembling, crying, or other bodily responses may occur as tension and stress are processed through the nervous system and released.

Your clinician will help you prepare for these possibilities, monitor your responses throughout treatment, and support you in using grounding and coping strategies as needed.

The question I get the most when we’ve started processing:

what does “go with that” or “what are you noticing?” actually mean?

To answer this question, let’s use the metaphor most used in EMDR - “The Moving Train.” Imagine you’re riding on a train watching the scenery pass by outside the window. You do not need to stop and overanalyze every detail, you simply notice what comes up as the scenery changes.

That’s essentially what your clinician is asking you to do during processing. You’re just noticing. When your therapist says “go with that” or “what are you noticing”, they are literally asking you to just keep noticing whatever thoughts, emotions, body sensations, or memories arise during BLS. There is no “right” answer — only your experience in the moment.

If you think that EMDR is the right therapy for you and can provide you some healing, or feel that maybe you have some questions about it, feel free to give us a call at Lifeologie Counseling Ada at (616) 929-0248, or explore all of our Lifeologie Counseling therapists who are trained in EMDR in our directory here.