EMDR
When memories hold you in your body
Everyday moments can feel overwhelming. A sound, image, or emotion can suddenly bring up past experiences. You may notice tension in your body, poor sleep, or a constant sense of being on edge.
You have lived through difficult experiences that others may not see. Still, those experiences can affect how you respond, how you relate to others, and how safe you feel in your daily life.
EMDR helps you process those past experiences so they feel less present in your day-to-day life. Over time, the memory loses its intensity, and it becomes easier to stay grounded in the present.
As this happens, you start to feel steadier, more connected, and more in control of your emotional responses.
What is EMDR
Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR is a type of therapy where you briefly focus on a traumatic memory while also experiencing bilateral stimulation, typically eye movements or tapping. This allows for a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. EMDR works by helping your brain process trauma memories and allowing the normal healing process to resume. You don’t forget the event or experience, but the self-protection responses (fight, flight, or freeze) from the original event are resolved.
EMDR helps the brain do what it was designed to do: heal.
- Robin Shapiro, Founder of EMDR -
When talking isn’t enough, EMDR helps the nervous system reset
EMDR can treat a variety of symptoms, disorders, and conditions including but not limited to:
Dissociative disorders
Eating disorder
Addictions
our approach
We Believe You are Worthy of Healing.
If you are considering EMDR, it is normal to wonder whether it is safe and what the experience might feel like.
Research shows that EMDR is a safe and effective treatment for trauma, anxiety, pain, and other conditions. Like any treatment, it can come with side effects, but they are usually short-term and mild. Some have reported a temporary increase in stressful memories, stronger emotions during sessions, lightheadedness, or vivid dreams. In some cases, new traumatic memories may surface during processing, but the therapy is not creating them.
If these effects happen, your trained EMDR therapist will help you work through them and adjust the pace of treatment as needed.
Our EMDR therapists are trained through EMDRIA and are committed to helping you heal in a space that feels safe, supportive, and grounded. We work with people across Michigan who are navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, and OCD.
While we are trained in the EMDR protocol, we tailor treatment to your needs, your history, and your goals. We believe therapy works best when it feels human, honest, and connected.
Common Questions about EMDR
Who Is EMDR Not Suitable For?
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
Children, adolescents, and adults can all benefit from EMDR, whether in person or online.
One of the key benefits of EMDR is that you do not have to go into detail about traumatic events. Instead, the focus is on how those experiences show up in your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and behaviors.
Over time, EMDR can reduce symptoms of trauma like flashbacks and nightmares. It helps lower the emotional intensity connected to distressing memories.
As treatment progresses, you will start to feel more grounded, empowered, and in control of your lives. These benefits often continue long after therapy ends.
Will I Cry During EMDR?
It’s possible that you might cry during EMDR, but that’s okay! Processing difficult memories or emotions can bring up tears, which is a natural part of healing. Your therapist will guide you through the process and make sure you feel supported every step of the way.
How Is EMDR Different From Normal Therapy?
EMDR is different from traditional talk therapy because it uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or tapping, to support how the brain processes trauma.
Instead of focusing on talking through every detail of an experience, EMDR helps the brain “unstick” painful memories and emotions. Over time, those memories often feel less intense and less overwhelming.
This approach is structured and focused. It also involves the body, not just thoughts and words. Because of this, you might find it helpful when talk therapy alone has not felt like enough.
How Long Does EMDR Take to Work?
We wish we could give you a concrete answer, but the truth is that the length of treatment varies from person to person. You may start to feel relief right away, or it may take a few months to notice changes.
If you have a history of complex trauma (C-PTSD), therapy often takes longer. It can depend on your history and the severity of what you’ve experienced.
Progress also depends on factors like emotional readiness, current stress levels, and overall stability. EMDR is not an instant process or a magic wand.
Compared to some other therapies, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR may lead to faster results for certain types of trauma. However, every person responds differently.
What is an example of an EMDR EXERCISE?
The EMDR Container Exercise is a tool that helps you set aside upsetting thoughts, memories, or emotions until you are ready to deal with them. During the exercise, you imagine a strong, secure container, such as a safe, box, vault, or chest, where you can temporarily place distressing experiences. This does not mean you are ignoring or getting rid of your feelings. Instead, it helps you feel more in control so you can focus on your daily life and return to those experiences later with your therapist in a safe, supportive way.
