Unlocking the Mind: The Science and Benefits of EMDR Therapy

Unlocking the Mind: The Science and Benefits of EMDR Therapy

In recent years, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has gained

widespread recognition as a powerful, evidence-based treatment for trauma and a variety of

psychological challenges. Initially developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s,

EMDR has since been endorsed by organizations such as the American Psychological

Association (APA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Department of Veterans

Affairs. But what exactly is EMDR, and why is it so effective?

What Is EMDR?

At its core, EMDR is an integrated therapeutic approach that helps individuals process and heal from distressing memories, especially those tied to traumatic events. It is structured around bilateral stimulation where a therapist will guide a client through eye movements, tones, or taps. However, it is

The goal is to reduce the emotional intensity and vividness of distressing memories so that they no longer trigger the same level of psychological and physiological response, while changing the way traumatic memories are stored.

The Science Behind EMDR

While the exact mechanisms of EMDR are still being studied, there are several leading theories explaining why it works:

1. Working Memory Theory

When a person recalls a traumatic memory while performing a task that taxes working memory (like tracking a moving light), the brain’s resources are split. This dual-tasking reduces the vividness and emotional impact of the memory, making it easier to reprocess.

2. REM Sleep and Memory Processing

EMDR’s bilateral stimulation mimics the eye movements seen during REM sleep—a critical phase for memory consolidation and emotional regulation. This may help the brain "digest" traumatic memories in a similar way to how it processes experiences during sleep.

3. Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) Model

EMDR is based on the idea that traumatic memories become “stuck” in the brain’s information processing system. EMDR facilitates the reprocessing of these memories, helping them integrate into the broader narrative of a person’s life without causing ongoing distress.

When a person experiences a traumatic event the hypothalamus in the brain releases

neurotransmitters to the body, alerting it that something is happening and it needs to prepare to protect itself; it needs to be prepared to fight for survival, flee for protection, or freeze in hopes of being unnoticed. This response occurs anytime the brains perceives a danger or threat to the body and combining with neurochemicals that are released from the brain, this becomes our stress response. When this stress response is activated, the brain begins operating in the limbic portion, or survival part of the brain. Through EMDR, these stress responses can be explored and

the intensity and duration of them can be reduced.

Proven Benefits of EMDR

EMDR has shown to be effective not just for PTSD, but also for a wide range of other mental health concerns:

 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Numerous clinical trials have found EMDR to be as effective as (or more effective than) traditional talk therapy or medication.

 Anxiety Disorders: EMDR can reduce phobias, panic attacks, and generalized anxiety by addressing root memories that contribute to ongoing fear responses.

 Depression: By targeting unresolved trauma, EMDR may alleviate depressive symptoms linked to past experiences.

 Addictions and Compulsions: EMDR helps uncover and process the emotional triggers behind destructive behaviors.

What to Expect in EMDR Therapy

EMDR is typically conducted over multiple sessions. The therapist first gathers a detailed history and helps the client identify specific traumatic memories. During reprocessing sessions, the client focuses on these memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation. Over time, the emotional charge of the memories diminishes, and new, more adaptive beliefs can take root.

One of the unique aspects of EMDR is that clients do not have to extensively discuss or relive the trauma. This can be especially helpful for people who find verbalizing their experiences difficult or re-traumatizing.

A Word from our Owner and Emdria EMDR Trained Therapist

As both a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have treated hundreds of clients from 5 years old to 85 years old. So many of them have one through various forms of trauma, from war veterans and first responders, to victims of various forms of abuse and accidents, illnesses, and significant loss in their lives. I have been certified in various trauma informed modalities; however, I felt many of my clients were stuck. As hard as they worked, they continued to be in the fight, flight, or freeze response which can prevent the ability to process distressing experiences because trauma can weaken normal signals in our prefrontal cortex to decipher whether a situation is safe.

EMDR therapy can help our brains process memories from traumatic experiences as it promotes the ability to move unprocessed maladaptive memories into more adaptive positive memory networks at a more rapid rate. Through working with clients using EMDR, they do not need to rehash the whole memory, as EMDR is present focused; Therefore, we have had great success in helping them notice what is currently happening without the overreaction that they once experienced.

It is extremely rewarding to witness our clients heal and create more adaptive responses and lead a more fulfilling life.

-Anna Marie Askin, LPC-S, LMFT-S, CGCS, Emdria EMDR Trained Therapist

Final Thoughts

EMDR is not a magic fix, but for many, it offers a path to healing that feels faster and more profound than traditional therapies. Its growing acceptance and strong empirical support speak to its transformative potential in the mental health field.

Whether you're coping with a single traumatic event or years of unresolved emotional pain, EMDR might offer a way forward helping your brain do what it was always meant to do: heal.