What is EMDR Therapy?

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Last week, a client told me something that stuck with me: "I thought I'd just have to live with this forever." She was talking about the anxiety that had followed her for years after a medical procedure. Like many people who find their way to my office at Playa Vista Counseling, she felt trapped by her past experiences.

That's why I want to share with you a therapy approach that continues to amaze me in its ability to help people heal: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Don't let the technical name intimidate you – at its heart, EMDR is about helping your brain do what it naturally wants to do: heal.

The Science Behind the Healing

During my years of practice, I've seen EMDR help people transform their relationship with difficult memories and experiences that otherwise felt like a permanent condition. Created by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR integrates elements of several therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy, but is distinct in its use of bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, gentle taps, or tones) to facilitate memory processing and to help the brain process stuck experiences.

The underlying theory of EMDR is rooted in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. This model suggests that traumatic memories can become "stuck" or maladaptively stored in the brain, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, flashbacks, or intrusive thoughts. EMDR aims to help the brain reprocess these memories, allowing individuals to integrate them into their broader understanding of life in a way that feels less distressing.

Think about how your body heals a cut – it knows exactly what to do if you create the right conditions. Your brain has a similar natural healing system. Sometimes it just needs a little help, especially when memories or experiences become frozen in time, carrying the same emotional weight years later as they did when they first happened.

Another thing I love about EMDR is that you don't have to talk about every detail of your experience if you don't want to. Sometimes words aren't enough, or they're too much. EMDR offers a different path. I've sat with clients who tried traditional talk therapy for years before finding relief through this approach.

What Can EMDR Help With?

While EMDR was initially developed for trauma (and is endorsed by organizations like the World Health Organization), it has been shown to be effective for anxiety, depression, phobias, and even chronic pain. I've seen it create meaningful change for:

The executive who can't shake their anxiety about public speaking after one embarrassing presentation

The parent who finds themselves overreacting to normal childhood behaviors because of their own upbringing

The college student still carrying shame from high school bullying

The person who just wants to feel "normal" again after a car accident

Is EMDR Right for You?

At Playa Vista Counseling, we often hear initial concerns like "But my problem isn't bad enough for therapy" or "Other people have it worse." Here's what I tell my clients: if something is affecting your life, your relationships, or your peace of mind, it's worth exploring healing.

EMDR might be particularly helpful if: You find yourself avoiding certain places, people, or situations You have recurring thoughts or feelings that won't go away Traditional therapy hasn't quite given you the results you're hoping for You're ready for change but need support getting there

Your Next Step

The most rewarding part of our work is witnessing people reconnect with their inherent resilience. EMDR isn't about erasing your past – it's about transforming how those experiences live in your present. Your story matters, and it deserves to be held with care.

If you're curious about whether EMDR could be part of your healing journey, we’d love to talk. At Playa Vista Counseling, we start with a simple conversation about where you are and where you'd like to be. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is take that first step toward healing. Whenever you're ready, our team is here to walk that path with you.

You can schedule a consultation at https://www.playavistacounseling.com/contact

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