Can EMDR Therapy Help With Childhood Trauma?
Childhood trauma can leave deep emotional wounds that last well into adulthood. If you’ve struggled with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or other challenges connected to your past, you might wonder if there’s a way to truly heal. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has helped many people process and overcome the effects of childhood trauma. But how does it work, and is it right for you? In today’s blog, we will explore what childhood trauma is, how it may impact people, and use EMDR therapy in Michigan as a treatment.
What Is Childhood Trauma?
Childhood trauma refers to distressing experiences that happen during your development. These experiences can overwhelm your ability to cope, leaving lasting effects on your mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. Examples of childhood trauma include:
Abuse: Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
Neglect: Not having basic needs met, like food, safety, or emotional support.
Witnessing violence: Seeing domestic violence, community violence, or other traumatic events.
Loss: Losing a parent or loved one at a young age.
Bullying: Experiencing persistent teasing, exclusion, or harassment.
When these experiences go unprocessed, they can affect the way you think, feel, and react. You might find yourself stuck in patterns of fear, mistrust, or self-doubt, even if you don’t fully understand why.
How Childhood Trauma Affects the Brain
To understand how EMDR therapy helps, it’s important to know how trauma impacts the brain. When you experience trauma, your brain shifts into survival mode. The part of your brain responsible for logical thinking (the prefrontal cortex) takes a backseat, while the emotional and reactive parts of your brain (like the amygdala) take over.
This survival response can leave trauma memories “stuck” in your brain. Instead of being processed and stored as past events, these memories remain raw and active, causing trauma symptoms including:
Flashbacks or intrusive thoughts.
Emotional reactivity (feeling overly anxious, angry, or sad).
Difficulty trusting others or forming healthy relationships.
Negative beliefs about yourself, like “I’m unworthy” or “It’s my fault.”
EMDR helps to "unstick" these memories and reprocess them so they no longer hold the same emotional charge.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a type of therapy designed to help people process and heal from traumatic experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t rely solely on discussing your past. Instead, it uses a structured approach to help your brain reprocess distressing memories and reduce their emotional impact.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR therapy involves a series of phases, guided by a trained EMDR therapist. Here’s an overview of what to expect:
History and Preparation: You and your therapist will discuss your history and identify the memories or issues you want to address. Your therapist will also teach you coping skills to manage any distress that arises during therapy.
Identifying Targets: Together, you’ll identify specific memories, feelings, or beliefs that are causing distress. For example, you might focus on a memory of being yelled at as a child or a belief like, “I’m not good enough.”
Bilateral Stimulation: During the reprocessing phase, your therapist will guide you through bilateral stimulation, such as moving your eyes back and forth, tapping on your hands, or listening to alternating tones. This stimulation helps your brain process the memory in a new way.
Reprocessing: As you focus on the target memory, the bilateral stimulation helps reduce its emotional intensity. Over time, you may notice that the memory feels less upsetting, and you develop more positive beliefs about yourself.
Closure and Evaluation: Each session ends with a focus on grounding and calming techniques. Your therapist will also check in with you to see how the process is working and make adjustments as needed.
Why EMDR Works for Childhood Trauma
EMDR therapy is particularly effective for childhood trauma because it addresses both the emotional and physical aspects of trauma. Here are some reasons why it works:
1. It Targets Implicit Memories
Many childhood traumas are stored as implicit memories. These are memories that aren’t fully conscious but still influence your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. For example, you might feel intense fear in certain situations without knowing why. EMDR helps access and process these memories, even if you can’t recall them clearly.
2. It Addresses Negative Beliefs
Trauma often leads to negative beliefs about yourself, such as “I’m not safe” or “I’m unlovable.” EMDR helps replace these beliefs with more positive ones, like “I am safe now” or “I deserve love and respect.”
3. It’s Not Just Talk
Talking about childhood trauma can be overwhelming or even retraumatizing for some people. EMDR doesn’t require you to talk in detail about what happened. Instead, it helps your brain naturally process the trauma in a safe and structured way.
What to Expect During EMDR for Childhood Trauma
If you’re considering EMDR, it’s normal to feel a mix of curiosity and nervousness. Here’s what you can expect:
1. It’s Okay to Start Small
Your EMDR therapist will help you identify a manageable starting point. This might be a specific memory, feeling, or belief that feels less overwhelming to work on first. The goal is to ease into the process without diving into the most distressing memories right away. This gradual approach builds confidence and emotional resilience.
2. You Don’t Have to Remember Everything
You don’t need a perfect memory of your childhood trauma to benefit from EMDR. Even if your memories are foggy, fragmented, or incomplete, your therapist can work with whatever arises. Sometimes, physical sensations, emotions, or even vague impressions can serve as effective starting points. EMDR is designed to help your brain process these fragments, allowing clarity and relief to emerge naturally over time.
3. Emotions May Surface
It’s normal to experience a wide range of emotions during EMDR sessions. Sadness, anger, fear, or even relief may arise as you process your trauma. Your therapist will guide you through grounding techniques and coping strategies to ensure you feel safe and supported throughout the process. Remember, these emotions are part of the healing journey—they signify that your brain is working to release the distress associated with your trauma.
4. Healing Takes Time
While EMDR can produce noticeable results within a few sessions, healing from childhood trauma is a deeply personal journey. It’s important to be patient with yourself and trust the process. Some memories may take longer to reprocess, and that’s okay. The key is to approach your healing with compassion and recognize that progress is often gradual.
Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR can be a powerful tool for healing childhood trauma, but it’s not the only option. Here are some factors to consider:
1. Are You Ready to Heal?
Healing from trauma is not always easy, and EMDR requires you to confront and process difficult emotions. This can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve been avoiding these feelings for a long time. It’s important to ask yourself whether you feel ready to take this step. If you’re not quite there yet, that’s okay! A therapist can help you build coping skills and emotional resilience to prepare for EMDR when the time feels right.
2. Do You Feel Comfortable With Your Therapist?
A strong therapeutic relationship is essential for success with EMDR. Trauma work can make you feel vulnerable, so you must trust your therapist and feel supported throughout the process. If you don’t feel comfortable with your therapist, consider discussing your concerns or seeking someone whose approach aligns better with your needs. Feeling comfortable in therapy sets the foundation for effective healing.
3. Are You Open to the Process?
EMDR might feel very different from other types of therapy you’ve tried. The idea of following a therapist’s hand movements or using bilateral stimulation might seem unusual or even strange at first. Being open to trying something new can help you get the most out of EMDR. Keep in mind that the process is backed by research and has been shown to help many people. Trusting the method and staying curious about how it works can make a big difference.
4. Are You Looking for a Holistic Approach?
EMDR doesn’t just focus on your thoughts or emotions—it also addresses how trauma is stored in the body. If you’re looking for a therapy that considers both your mind and body, EMDR might be a good fit. The approach integrates physical sensations, emotions, and memories to create a more comprehensive path to healing.
5. Are You Willing to Commit to the Process?
Healing takes time and effort, and EMDR is no exception. While some people notice changes quickly, others need more sessions to fully process their trauma. It is recommended that people attend therapy on a weekly basis to get the best results from EMDR. It’s important to stay committed and trust that progress will come with time. Consistency and patience are key to seeing lasting results.
6. Do You Have Support Outside of Therapy?
Processing trauma can bring up strong emotions, and it helps to have a support system outside of therapy. Whether it’s friends, family, or a support group, having people to lean on can make the journey less isolating. If you don’t have a strong support network, talk to your therapist about other resources that might be helpful.
Childhood trauma doesn’t have to define your future. With EMDR therapy, you can process painful memories, break free from negative beliefs, and create a life filled with healing and hope. If you’re considering EMDR, reach out to a qualified therapist to discuss your needs and take the first step toward healing.
Start Your Healing Journey with EMDR Therapy in Michigan
Choosing to begin EMDR therapy is a big step, and it’s okay to have questions along the way. At Embodied Wellness, PLLC, we provide EMDR therapy in Ann Arbor and throughout Michigan, offering a compassionate and structured approach to healing. EMDR isn’t about reliving trauma—it’s about safely processing emotions, reducing anxiety, and creating lasting change. Whether you’re exploring EMDR for the first time or ready to begin, our therapists are here to support you every step of the way. Healing takes time, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
Take the next step toward healing today:
Be matched with one of our EMDR therapists in Michigan
Move forward with confidence in your healing journey
Additional Virtual Therapy Services in Michigan
At Embodied Wellness, PLLC we offer a variety of holistic treatment services for adults and teens with anxiety, depression, and OCD. We specialize in EMDR, Somatic therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems, and DBT for trauma. We also specialize in CBT, ERP and Empath Counseling. We offer online therapy in Michigan. Start overcoming your trauma today by visiting our Detroit-based practice. We also have low-cost therapy options available!
About the Author:
Sarah Rollins, LMSW, SEP, is the founder of Embodied Wellness, PLLC, where she provides EMDR therapy in Ann Arbor, MI, and online therapy throughout Michigan. She is passionate about helping individuals heal from anxiety and trauma in a way that feels safe, effective, and empowering—without the need to relive painful memories. Sarah blends EMDR, somatic therapy, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to create a holistic approach that fosters deep, lasting healing. Her mission is to offer a supportive and affirming space where clients can rebuild their sense of peace, resilience, and self-acceptance.