What is an EMDR Therapist?

Over recent years, the term EMDR therapy has gained popularity in the mental health realm for its effectiveness with trauma recovery and mental health as a whole. If you’ve been dealing with some challenging experiences from your past or have had conversations with a loved one who is struggling, you may have come across the term.

But what exactly does EMDR therapy entail, and what distinguishes an EMDR therapist from others?

What Does EMDR Stand For?

EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, which sounds a bit more intimidating than it actually is. It’s a big-named term for a specific method of therapy that has historically been used to help individuals process through traumatic experiences and any lingering “stuck” memories.

When we go through a negative experience, our brain’s functioning shifts into more of a fight-or-flight response and directs energy to necessary operations. Memory filing isn’t always one of them. Instead of processing them into the correct place, some of the negative memories remain front and center and continue to be triggering.

An EMDR therapist is specially trained to unstick these memories so they won’t have such a stronghold on your daily life.

What Makes EMDR Therapists Unique?

Beyond the regular therapy education, an EMDR therapist undergoes advanced, specialized training in the use of bilateral stimulation. This includes guided eye movements, tactile stimuli like tapping, or auditory sounds. The bilateral stimulation is applied while you focus on a target memory that you have selected to reprocess.

Here’s what sets an EMDR therapist apart from the others:

• Specialized training: Processing trauma is sensitive and can be challenging work. They complete training in how to help you stay grounded while going through the process.
• Focus on memory processing: Unlike regular talk therapy, where you’d evaluate your thoughts and behaviors, EMDR explicitly addresses the storage of memories. Your therapist is not focusing their efforts on conversation.
• Structure: EMDR follows an eight-phase protocol, so your therapist needs to know how to guide you through each one effectively.

What Does it Feel Like to Work with an EMDR Therapist?

You’ve got eight phases, with talking not at the center of this approach. There’s bilateral stimulation thrown in the mix. So what does this feel like?

At first glance, this may sound weird or uncomfortable, but it’s quite the contrary. Most people find this approach surprisingly natural. In fact, many people prefer this because you don’t have to relive every detail of your past trauma or negative experience.

During a session, you’ll work with the therapist to select a target memory. While you focus on that, you’ll be guided to follow their finger with your eyes. This pattern mimics your REM sleep state, which is an essential natural cycle for healing and recovery.

It’s essential that you feel comfortable entering into the core of this work, so your therapist will teach you coping mechanisms beforehand and check in with you throughout the process to ensure you still feel safe.

What Does EMDR Help With?

EMDR has roots in trauma therapy, but has been deemed effective with a variety of other mental health conditions. These can include:

• Anxiety
• Burnout
• Depression
• Grief
• Panic attacks
• Phobias
• Relationship struggles
• Self-esteem and confidence issues
• Sleep disruptions
• Stress

If you have something from your past that is affecting your day-to-day life and overall well-being, an EMDR therapist may be able to help you work through the underlying issue or experience.

Is EMDR Right for You?

EMDR therapy can be highly effective in facilitating healing. If you’re curious about working with an EMDR therapist, the best first step is to reach out and have a conversation. We offer a free consultation where you can ask any questions you may have. Ready to explore EMDR? We’d love to chat.

About the Author

Shanni Liang, LCSW, is an Asian American therapist and the founder of Therapy with Shanni.  She is dedicated to empowering deep thinkers, overachievers, and rebels to find love in dating and relationships, take up space, and achieve balance in their careers. As a recovered perfectionist, Shanni specializes in relational dynamics, career fulfillment, and trauma processing. Her extensive clinical background spans diverse settings, including crisis counseling, school social work, and various mental health clinics. Connect with her for flexible, personalized therapy.