If you have been told that EMDR might help you, or if you have been curious about it for a while, you probably have questions. What actually happens in a session? Will you have to talk about everything that happened? Is it going to feel overwhelming? These are the questions I hear most often, and they deserve a clear, honest answer.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It was developed in the late 1980s and has since become one of the most well-researched treatments for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and a range of other experiences that get stuck in the nervous system. The World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the Department of Veterans Affairs all recognize it as an effective treatment for trauma.
How EMDR Works
The core idea behind EMDR is that traumatic memories can get stored in the brain in a fragmented, unprocessed way. Rather than being filed away like ordinary memories, they stay raw and reactive, triggering the same emotional and physical responses as if the event were still happening. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (most commonly eye movements, though tapping or audio tones can also be used) to help the brain reprocess these memories so they lose their charge.
The bilateral stimulation appears to mimic what happens during REM sleep, when the brain naturally processes the day's experiences. For people whose nervous systems have been overwhelmed by difficult events, EMDR offers a way to complete that processing.
The Eight Phases of EMDR
EMDR is a structured protocol with eight phases. This doesn't mean it feels rigid or clinical. It means there's a clear map, and you'll always know where we are in the process.
History and Treatment Planning
We begin by understanding your history and identifying the experiences or symptoms you want to address. This is a collaborative conversation, not an intake form.
Preparation
Before any processing begins, we build your capacity to stay regulated. This includes grounding techniques, resourcing, and making sure you feel safe enough to go into difficult material and come back out.
Assessment
We identify a specific memory or experience to work on, along with the negative belief it created about yourself, the emotions and body sensations connected to it, and what you would like to believe instead.
Desensitization, Installation, Body Scan, Closure
This is the active processing phase. You hold the target memory in mind while following bilateral stimulation. You do not have to narrate everything out loud. The processing happens internally, and I guide you through it. We close each session carefully, whether or not the processing is complete.
Reevaluation
At the start of each new session, we check in on what shifted and what still needs attention. EMDR is iterative, not linear.
Common Questions
Do I have to describe the trauma in detail?
No. EMDR does not require you to narrate what happened. You hold the memory in mind while we work, but you do not have to verbalize it. Many people find this a significant relief.
How many sessions will I need?
It varies. Some people notice meaningful shifts in a handful of sessions. Others work through EMDR over months, particularly when there are multiple layers of trauma or a long history of difficult experiences. We will assess as we go.
Will I feel worse before I feel better?
Processing can stir things up between sessions. You might notice more vivid dreams, heightened emotions, or old memories surfacing. This is part of the process, and we prepare for it. You will have tools to stay regulated outside of sessions.
Is EMDR only for PTSD?
No. EMDR is effective for anxiety, phobias, grief, attachment wounds, performance anxiety, and the kind of chronic low-grade distress that does not have a single identifiable cause. If something feels stuck, EMDR is worth considering.
Working with EMDR in Los Angeles
I offer EMDR therapy both in person at my Echo Park office and via telehealth throughout California. My approach is relational and trauma-informed, which means we don't rush into processing before you feel ready. The preparation phase is not a formality. It's the foundation that makes everything else possible.
If you've been carrying something for a long time and you're ready to see if it can shift, I'd be glad to talk. The first consultation is free.
Ready to begin?
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if EMDR therapy is the right fit for you.