What to Expect in EMDR Therapy (From a Therapist Who Gets It)
10/29/2025
You’ve probably heard of EMDR therapy, but maybe you’re not sure what it actually feels like.
If you’ve tried talk therapy and still feel stuck in old patterns, you’re not alone. EMDR isn’t about rehashing your story. It’s about helping your brain and body finally recognize that the danger has passed. (You can learn more about EMDR therapy and how it works here.)
What EMDR Actually Is
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
It’s a therapy approach that helps your brain process distressing memories in a more adaptive way so they stop feeling like they’re happening right now.
During EMDR, you’ll focus on a memory or belief while engaging in gentle bilateral stimulation such as side-to-side eye movements, taps, or sounds.
This process helps your brain integrate information that got “stuck” during trauma, reducing emotional intensity over time.
What a Typical EMDR Session Looks Like
Here’s what you can expect:
Grounding and preparation: We start by building safety. You’ll learn regulation tools before we go anywhere near difficult memories.
Identifying the target: Together, we choose what memory, image, or belief is linked to current distress.
Processing: Using bilateral stimulation, your brain begins to reprocess what happened, shifting from “I’m not safe” to “It’s over, and I survived.”
Integration and closure: Sessions always end with grounding, reflection, and ensuring you leave feeling stable. (If you’d like to see what this process can look like in my practice, visit the EMDR therapy page for more details.)
What It’s Not
EMDR isn’t hypnosis or reliving trauma in detail.
You’re fully present and in control throughout the process.
Most clients describe EMDR as intense but surprisingly freeing, like their brain is finally catching up to what they already know logically.
Why It Works
Trauma memories aren’t stored like regular memories. They’re fragmented, sensory, and emotional.
EMDR helps reconnect those fragments so your nervous system can recognize that you’re safe now.
Healing doesn’t mean forgetting what happened. It means remembering without reliving.
A Gentle Reminder
You don’t have to know everything about EMDR to take the first step. You just need a safe space to explore it at your own pace.
If you’re curious about how EMDR therapy in South Carolina could help you move from survival mode to real healing, I’d be glad to talk about what that could look like for you. You can schedule a free consult here.