The Good Things and Hard Parts About EMDR Therapy

Many people wonder what EMDR therapy is like before they try it. EMDR (which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a type of therapy that helps people heal from bad or scary experiences. Let’s talk about the good things and hard parts of EMDR therapy.

Good Things About EMDR Therapy

Less Flashbacks

People who have gone through scary events sometimes get “flashbacks” - sudden, strong memories that make them feel like the bad thing is happening again. EMDR therapy can help reduce these flashbacks, making them happen less often or not feel as strong.

Less Worry and Fear

After bad experiences, many people feel worried or scared a lot of the time. EMDR can help lower these feelings of worry and fear, helping people feel calmer in their daily life.

Working Through Hard Memories

One of the main reasons people try EMDR is to help them work through scary or sad memories. EMDR helps the brain change how it stores these memories so they don’t hurt as much.

Better Control of Feelings

EMDR can help people learn to handle their big feelings better. This means they might not get as upset, angry, or scared when something reminds them of their bad experience.

Changing Bad Thoughts About Yourself

Sometimes after bad things happen, people start to think bad things about themselves, like “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not safe.” EMDR can help change these thoughts to more helpful ones.

Feeling Better About Yourself

As the bad thoughts change, many people start to feel better about themselves. They might feel more sure of themselves and believe they can do more things.

Feeling Free

Many people say that after EMDR, they feel more free. The bad memories don’t control their lives as much, and they can think about the future instead of being stuck in the past.

Hard Parts About EMDR Therapy

Feeling Worse for a Little While

Sometimes people feel worse right after an EMDR session. They might feel more tired or have stronger feelings for a day or two. This usually doesn’t last long.

Big Feelings During Therapy

During EMDR sessions, people often feel strong emotions as they think about their hard memories. This can be scary or uncomfortable, but the therapist is there to help.

It Might Not Be Right for Everyone

Just like not all shoes fit all feet, EMDR might not be the right kind of therapy for everyone. Some people might need a different type of help.

Old Memories Might Come Back

During EMDR, people might remember things they had forgotten about. These memories can sometimes be upsetting, but the therapist helps the person work through them safely.

Works Better for Some Problems Than Others

EMDR might work better for people who had one bad experience (like a car crash) than for people who had many bad experiences over a long time. But it can still help both groups.

What to Remember

If you’re thinking about trying EMDR therapy, it’s good to know about both the helpful parts and the hard parts. This way, you won’t be surprised if some parts are difficult.

Your therapist will:

• Go at your speed
• Help you feel safe
• Explain everything before you do it
• Check in with you about how you’re feeling
• Never make you talk about something if you don’t want to

Many people find that even though EMDR can be hard work sometimes, the good changes they feel make it worth it. If you have questions about EMDR, it’s always okay to ask a therapist before you decide to try it.