What is EMDR? The Ultimate Guide to How It Helps You Process Past Trauma
When we experience a traumatic event—whether it is a singular "Big T" trauma like a car accident or a natural disaster, or a "little t" trauma like childhood emotional neglect or a difficult breakup—our brains don't always process that information correctly. Instead of becoming a distant memory, the trauma stays "stuck" in our nervous system, ready to be triggered by a smell, a sound, or a stressful day at work.
If you’ve ever felt like your past is following you into your present, you may have heard of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). But what exactly is it? Is it hypnosis? Is it "magic"?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll demystify EMDR therapy and explore how it helps people in Utah and beyond find lasting relief from the heavy weight of the past.
1. What is EMDR? Breaking Down the Acronym
EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements).
To understand EMDR, we have to look at how the brain handles memories:
Normal Memories: These are processed by the hippocampus and stored in the prefrontal cortex. You remember what you had for dinner last night, but you don't feel the taste or the smell in your body right now.
Traumatic Memories: These get stuck in the amygdala (the brain's alarm system). When a memory is "unprocessed," it remains "live." When you think about it, your heart races, your palms sweat, and you feel the same fear you felt years ago.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing works by taking those "live" files and helping the brain move them into the "archived" section.
2. The Science: How Bilateral Stimulation Works
The hallmark of EMDR is Bilateral Stimulation (BLS). This simply means stimulating both the left and right hemispheres of the brain in a rhythmic pattern. This can be done via:
Visual: Following a therapist's fingers or a light bar back and forth.
Tactile: Holding "tappers" that vibrate in alternating hands.
Auditory: Listening to tones that alternate between the left and right ear.
The REM Sleep Connection
Scientists believe BLS works similarly to Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. During REM sleep, your brain processes the events of the day and consolidates memories. EMDR creates a "waking REM state," allowing your brain to do the heavy lifting of processing trauma while you are fully conscious and safe in a therapist's office.
3. The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR is not something you jump into on day one. It is a highly structured 8-phase approach designed to ensure your safety and stability.
Phase 1: History Taking
Your therapist at Purple Sky Counseling will learn about your past, your triggers, and your goals. We identify the "targets" (the specific memories) we want to work on.
Phase 2: Preparation and Resourcing
This is the most important phase for many. Before we "dive in," we give you tools to manage distress. We might create a "Safe Place" or a "Container" exercise to help you regulate your nervous system.
Phase 3-6: The "Work" (Assessment to Installation)
This is where the bilateral stimulation happens. You focus on a memory, notice where you feel it in your body, and follow the BLS. Over time, the distress associated with the memory drops from a 10 (overwhelming) to a 0 (neutral). We then "install" a positive belief, such as "I am safe now" or "I am worthy."
Phase 7-8: Closure and Reevaluation
Every session ends with grounding to ensure you feel stable before leaving. In the next session, we check in to see how the processing has continued throughout the week.
4. Who Can Benefit from EMDR?
While originally developed for PTSD, EMDR has been proven effective for a wide range of challenges, especially for the types of clients we see here in Utah:
Anxiety & Panic Attacks: Breaking the cycle of "what if" thinking.
Teens & Children: Using adapted play-based EMDR for youth who have experienced bullying or family transitions.
First Responders: Helping those in high-stress jobs process the daily "micro-traumas" they witness.
Performance Anxiety: Athletes and professionals use EMDR to clear the "mental blocks" that prevent them from succeeding.
5. Common Myths About EMDR
Myth #1: It’s Hypnosis. * Fact: You are 100% awake, alert, and in control. You can stop the session at any time.
Myth #2: I have to talk about every detail of my trauma.
Fact: Unlike traditional "talk therapy," you don't have to describe the event in detail. EMDR focuses on the feeling and the image, making it a great option for those who find it too painful to speak about their past.
Myth #3: It works overnight.
Fact: While EMDR is often faster than traditional therapy, it still takes time to build the necessary "resources" and safety protocols.
6. Why Choose EMDR at Purple Sky Counseling?
At Purple Sky, we don't just "do" EMDR; we provide trauma-informed care. We understand that for our clients in Bountiful, Murray, and surrounding areas, finding a therapist who understands the specific cultural and environmental stressors of Utah is vital.
Our clinicians are trained to integrate EMDR with other modalities like Play Therapy or CBT, ensuring that the treatment is tailored to you, not just a manual.
Healing is Possible
Trauma changes the brain, but neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to heal—means that those changes don't have to be permanent. EMDR is a bridge between the pain of the past and the freedom of the present.
If you are tired of feeling "triggered" or "stuck," EMDR might be the missing piece of your healing journey.
Ready to process your past and reclaim your future? Our trauma-informed specialists at Purple Sky Counseling are here to help.
[Click here to schedule an intake for EMDR therapy] or visit our [Instagram @purpleskycounseling] to learn more about our team and our approach to healing.