What Is an EMDR Therapist? Understanding EMDR Therapy and How It Works

If you struggle with trauma, anxiety, or painful memories that seem to continuously loop in your mind, you may have been hearing about EMDR therapy—but what exactly is it? And who guides you through it?

An EMDR therapist is a trained mental health professional who helps people heal from emotional distress due to trauma, painful memories, or overwhelming life experiences using a powerful technique called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

What Makes EMDR Therapy Unique?

Unlike traditional talk-therapy, EMDR does not require you to describe your trauma in detail. Instead, it focuses on helping the brain reprocess disturbing memories so they are no longer emotionally overwhelming.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—often through eye movements, body tapping, or auditory tones—to activate both sides of the brain.,It was originally developed to treat PTSD, but now EMDR is successful in treating a variety of mental health disorders.

How EMDR Therapy Works: The 8-Phase Model

EMDR therapy follows an eight-phase process:

1.  History Taking and Treatment Planning 
   • The therapist gathers background information and targets specific memories.
   • You’ll discuss symptoms and triggers together to form a treatment plan.
2. Preparation 
   • The therapist explains the EMDR process and teaches grounding techniques.
   • You’ll build trust and safety before diving into painful material.
3. Assessment 
   • You identify the specific memory, negative belief, and the emotions and body sensations that are also present.
4. Desensitization 
   • Bilateral stimulation is used while you focus on the memory.
   • Emotional intensity typically decreases as the brain reprocesses the experience.
5. Installation 
   • You begin to replace negative beliefs with positive ones, for example, “I am safe now,” or “I am strong and capable.”
6. Body Scan 
   • The therapist helps you notice any residual tension or discomfort in your body related to the traumatic memory.
7. Closure 
   • You return to a calm state using relaxation techniques.
   • The session ends with support, even if the memory has not been fully processed yet.
8. Reevaluation 
   • At the next session, you review progress made and decide whether to continue on the same target memory or move on to a different one.

What EMDR Can Help With

EMDR is highly effective for trauma, but its benefits go beyond PTSD. EMDR can also help with:

• Childhood abuse or neglect
• Car accidents, chronic illnesses, or medical trauma
• Panic attacks and anxiety disorders
• Phobias
• Depression
• Grief and loss
• Performance anxiety
• Relationship abuse or infidelity
• Negative self-beliefs or self-worth

What Makes an EMDR Therapist Different?

EMDR therapists receive specialized training and certification beyond standard clinical licensure. They are equipped to handle trauma safely, knowing how to pace the work so you aren’t too overwhelmed. Therapists help you build resources for emotional regulation before targeting deeper, more emotional material.  They don’t just focus on what happened—they help your brain and body release it.

What Does an EMDR Session Feel Like?

You’ll be asked to bring up a memory and stay connected to the emotions or the beliefs surrounding it. Your therapist will guide you through these memories with bilateral stimulation (which is normally different eye movements). You may feel intense emotions at first, but they usually lessen quickly as your brain processes the event.

Sessions are structured but flexible—your therapist goes at a pace that feels safe to you.

Why EMDR Works

Trauma often gets “stuck” in the nervous system, leading to intense emotional reactivity or intrusive thoughts. EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories and files them away in your mind like you do with normal experiences.

It activates the brain’s natural healing process, just like how your body heals from a physical wound. Once a memory is processed, it no longer feels like it’s happening “right now.” It becomes a part of the past.

 

You don’t have to carry this pain forever! If you are interested in more information about EMDR or anxiety therapy, reach out to one of our trained therapists to schedule a session today!