Have you or someone you care about struggled to overcome painful memories, anxiety, or trauma? If so, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy might be the breakthrough you need. This article clearly explains EMDR – what it is, how it helps, and whether it might be right for you. 

What Is EMDR Therapy? 

EMDR therapy helps people process and move beyond distressing memories. Developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro, EMDR was initially recognized for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Today, it’s also used successfully for anxiety, low self-esteem, complex trauma, and more. 

During EMDR sessions, a specially trained therapist guides you to recall troubling memories while you follow specific eye movements – usually by tracking the therapist’s hand movements, a moving light, gentle taps or a combination of all three.  These movements mimic the brain activity of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, helping your mind reprocess painful memories and reduce their emotional intensity. 

At our Mississauga clinic, therapists Nesrine Riskalla and Lisa Harriott specialize in EMDR therapy, offering compassionate guidance to help clients heal. 

How Does EMDR Therapy Work? 

EMDR therapy involves a structured eight-step process designed to support you throughout your healing: 

• History and Treatment Planning: Your therapist gets to know your story, and together you identify the memories or issues you’ll focus on. 

• Preparation: You’ll learn stress-management techniques and get comfortable with the EMDR process. 

• Assessment: Together, you identify specific memories and the emotions tied to them.

• Desensitization: Guided eye movements help your brain process distressing memories, reducing their emotional impact. 

• Installation: Positive beliefs, like “I’m safe now,” replace negative thoughts and help reinforce your progress. 

• Body Scan: Your therapist checks to ensure your body no longer holds tension related to the processed memories. 

• Closure: Each session ends calmly, ensuring you leave feeling safe and balanced. 

• Re-evaluation: Future sessions will revisit your progress and address any lingering issues. 

What Happens During an EMDR Session? 

Understanding what happens during an EMDR session can help ease any concerns you may have. Here’s what you can typically expect: 

• Preparation: At the start of the session, your therapist will gently help you pinpoint specific memories or issues you’d like to address. They’ll ensure you feel safe, supported, and comfortable before moving forward. 

• Stimulation: You’ll be guided to engage in bilateral stimulation—such as following gentle eye movements, listening to soft sounds, or experiencing gentle taps—while recalling targeted memories. Your therapist will carefully monitor your comfort throughout. 

• Processing: As the bilateral stimulation occurs, your brain naturally reframes and lessens the emotional intensity of troubling memories. Your therapist remains attentive and supportive, ensuring the pace feels manageable for you. 

• Integration: At the end of the session, your therapist will help you reflect on any new insights you’ve gained and discuss practical ways to integrate these insights into your daily life, reinforcing your healing and growth. 

Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy? 

EMDR can profoundly help many people, including: 

• Trauma Survivors: Those who’ve experienced accidents, abuse, or natural disasters can find relief from PTSD symptoms. 

• Individuals with Anxiety: If your anxiety stems from past experiences, EMDR offers meaningful relief. 

• People Facing Low Self-Esteem: EMDR can help transform negative self-beliefs into empowering ones. 

• Complex Trauma Cases: For individuals dealing with multiple traumas, EMDR can unravel and soothe complex emotional pain. 

• Personal Growth Seekers: Even without major trauma, EMDR can help break limiting beliefs and unlock potential. 

Why Choose EMDR Therapy? 

• Rapid Relief: Studies show EMDR often works faster than traditional talk therapy. A 2014 review confirmed EMDR’s effectiveness for PTSD, anxiety, and trauma-related issues (Bisson et al., 2014). 

• Comprehensive Healing: EMDR addresses emotional and physical responses to trauma. 

• Scientifically Validated: Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychiatric Association recognize EMDR as effective for PTSD. 

Real-Life Example: Overcoming Fear 

Consider Sarah, who avoided driving after a traumatic car accident. For years, even the thought of getting into a car made her anxious, causing her to miss social activities and rely heavily on others for transportation.

Through EMDR therapy, Sarah worked with her therapist to safely revisit and gradually reprocess the memories of the accident. Initially hesitant, Sarah soon found her anxiety lessening significantly. Over several sessions, she felt increasingly in control, eventually gaining enough confidence to drive short distances on her own again. Today, Sarah enjoys greater independence and freedom, something she never thought possible before EMDR therapy. 

Ready to Heal? 

Are you ready to move forward from the past and experience emotional freedom? EMDR therapy could be your next step. 

Whether you’re in Halton, Peel, or the GTA West, you can schedule a free 15-minute consultation or your first session with our EMDR-trained therapists, Nesrine Riskalla or Lisa Harriott. 

Email us or call us at 905-214-7363. Healing is closer than you think! 

For more detailed information on EMDR, visit the EMDR International Association.