If you've been wondering about EMDR, you probably have questions that feel hard to ask out loud. Will I have to relive everything? What do the eye movements actually do? What if I get overwhelmed in the middle of a session? Those are reasonable questions, and they deserve clear answers before you ever sit down in a therapist's office.
This guide walks through how EMDR is generally structured, what processing can feel like, and what the research does and does not tell us. At Hope Counseling Center, EMDR is one of the primary approaches we use in trauma care, and we offer it alongside a Christian understanding of healing that takes the whole person seriously.
The information on this page is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, mental health, or legal advice.
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If you're curious about EMDR but not sure it's right for you, our team is happy to talk it through with you.
What EMDR Is, in Plain Language
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, usually shortened to EMDR, is a structured form of psychotherapy developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It is designed to help people who are stuck with distressing memories that still feel raw, urgent, or present-tense long after the event itself is over.
The thinking behind it is that the brain normally digests experiences and files them away as past. When an experience is overwhelming, that digestion can stall. The memory stays loaded with the original fear, shame, or helplessness, so a sound, a smell, or a tone of voice can bring it flooding back as though it were happening now. EMDR aims to help the brain finish processing the memory so that it remains part of your history without continuing to run your present.
A few things EMDR is not. It is not hypnosis, and you stay awake, aware, and in control of the session. It does not erase memories. And it does not require you to deliver a detailed, word-for-word account of the worst moment of your life. Researchers are still studying exactly why the approach works, which is worth knowing up front.
The Eight Phases at a Glance
EMDR as Shapiro described it unfolds in eight phases. Your therapist will explain how they apply these with you, and the pace varies a great deal from person to person.
History and treatment planning. You and your therapist talk through your background, what brought you in, and which memories or triggers matter most. Together you decide where to begin, and you are not asked to start with your hardest memory.
Preparation. Before any processing begins, you learn skills for steadying yourself, along with a clear explanation of what will happen and how to pause.
Assessment. You and your therapist identify a specific memory to work on, the image that goes with it, the belief about yourself it created, and where you feel it in your body.
Desensitization. This is the active processing phase. You briefly hold the memory in mind while following back-and-forth stimulation, then pause to report whatever you notice.
Installation. Once the memory feels less distressing, the work shifts toward strengthening a more accurate belief about yourself.
Body scan. You check for any leftover tension or distress connected to the memory.
Closure. Each session ends with steadying, so you leave grounded even when the memory work is unfinished.
Reevaluation. At the start of later sessions, you and your therapist check how the earlier work has held and decide what comes next.
Preparation Comes Before Processing
Many people are surprised to learn how much of EMDR is preparation. Rushing toward the painful material is not the goal. A person who cannot yet calm their body or feel safe in the room is not ready to process a trauma memory, and a careful therapist will say so.
Preparation commonly includes learning grounding and calming skills, practicing how to signal that you need to stop, and building a mental place of safety you can return to.
Where a client welcomes it, a Christian therapist can invite faith into this stage. A familiar psalm, a short prayer, or a mental picture of being held in God's care can become part of a grounding routine. Nothing about this is required. It simply means that the resources you already rely on can be part of the work.
What a Processing Session Can Feel Like
During active processing, you bring the memory to mind just long enough to connect with it, then follow a form of bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, alternating taps, or tones. After a short set, your therapist invites you to take a breath and tell them what you noticed. That might be an image, a thought, a feeling, or a physical sensation. Then you go again, following wherever your mind goes next.
People describe this in very different ways. Some notice emotion rising and then easing. Some find the memory growing blurrier or less intense. Others feel tired, or notice unexpected thoughts and associations along the way. It is not unusual for vivid dreams or fresh memories to surface between sessions, which is why your therapist will talk with you about how to care for yourself in the days that follow.
You always have a voice in the process. If something becomes too much, you can say so, and the therapist will help you slow down and ground.
Common Fears and Misconceptions
"I'll have to describe everything that happened." EMDR does not depend on a detailed narrative. Your therapist needs enough information to plan safely, but much of the processing happens quietly inside you rather than out loud.
"It's a quick fix." Some people notice relief relatively soon, while others need many sessions, particularly when trauma is long-standing or repeated.
"It's only for combat veterans." EMDR is used for a range of distressing experiences. Whether it fits you is decided together after a careful assessment.
"If I need EMDR, my faith must not be strong enough." This one deserves its own section, below.
What the Research Says
A 2020 summary from the Psychological Health Center of Excellence noted that the 2017 VA/DoD clinical practice guideline recommends EMDR among the trauma-focused therapies for PTSD, that a 2018 federal review found moderate-strength evidence that it reduces PTSD symptoms, and that an earlier Cochrane review rated the quality of the evidence as low.
A 2020 meta-analysis found that EMDR helped people with PTSD compared with control conditions. Its authors also cautioned that many of the studies were of limited quality and that the evidence for conditions other than PTSD was too thin to draw firm conclusions.
In plain terms, EMDR is a well-established option for PTSD, and research is still refining our understanding of how well it works and for whom. That is one reason we assess carefully and never promise outcomes.
EMDR and Faith: Where Healing Meets Scripture
Seeking trauma treatment is not a sign of weak faith. Scripture does not hide from suffering.
In Joel 2:25, God tells a people who have lost everything, "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten." In its original setting this was a promise to Israel, so we do not treat it as a guarantee about any one person's recovery. What it shows us is the character of a God who does not leave loss as the last word. In Isaiah 43:2, God says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." And in Psalm 23:4, David writes, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me."
Walking back through a painful memory can feel like walking through that valley. For many believers, knowing that God is present in the hardest rooms of their history is a source of steadiness. Scripture and professional trauma care are not rivals. Prayer does not replace a trained clinician, and clinical skill does not replace the comfort of faith. At Hope, they are meant to work together. We also never use faith to rush anyone past pain or to pressure someone into spiritual answers before they are ready.
Who May Benefit From EMDR
People look into EMDR for many reasons. You might be dealing with nightmares, flashbacks, or being easily startled. You might carry guilt or shame that does not match what actually happened, or find that old experiences keep shaping your relationships and reactions today.
If any of this sounds familiar, a conversation with a trauma-trained therapist is a good next step. EMDR may or may not be the right starting point, and your therapist will help you decide. If you are ever in crisis, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Getting Started at Hope Counseling Center
Hope offers a free 15-minute consultation, which gives you a chance to ask questions and get a sense of whether we are a good fit before committing to anything. From there, early appointments focus on understanding your history and goals, and your therapist will talk with you about whether EMDR makes sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to talk about everything that happened?
No. Your therapist needs enough information to plan safely, but EMDR does not require a full verbal retelling of the event. You stay in control of how much you share.
How many sessions will I need?
It varies. The number depends on your history, the kind of trauma involved, and how much preparation you need. A therapist can talk through what to expect for your situation, but no one can promise an exact number.
Is EMDR only for PTSD?
It was developed for trauma and has the strongest research support there. Your therapist will help you consider whether it fits your concerns after an assessment.
Does EMDR conflict with my Christian faith?
No. EMDR is a clinical method, not a belief system. Many Christians use it alongside prayer, Scripture, and church community, and your therapist can include your faith in the process if you want that.
Do you offer EMDR in Glendale, AZ?
Yes. Hope Counseling Center provides trauma therapy and EMDR in-person in Glendale, AZ, and via telehealth throughout Arizona.
The Past Does Not Have to Stay Present
Trauma can make it feel as though the worst moment never ended. Healing is possible, and it usually happens at a pace your body and mind can bear, with someone patient beside you. You only have to take the first step.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Reach out to our team to schedule a consultation and learn more about trauma-focused care, including EMDR.
References
Cuijpers, P., van Veen, S. C., Sijbrandij, M., Yoder, W., & Cristea, I. A. (2020). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for mental health problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 49(3), 165-180. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2019.1703801
Psychological Health Center of Excellence. (2020). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for posttraumatic stress disorder. Retrieved from https://health.mil/Reference-Center/Publications/2021/04/26/PHCoE-Evidence-Brief-Eye-Movement-Desensitization-and-Reprocessing-EMDR-for-Posttraumatic-Stress-Disorder-508
Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
Disclaimer
The content on this page is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, mental health advice, diagnosis, treatment recommendations, or a substitute for professional care. Reading this content, submitting a contact form, or communicating with Hope Counseling Center does not establish a therapist-client relationship. If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of trauma or another mental health condition, consult with a qualified mental health professional. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, call 911, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Services available in-person in Glendale, AZ and via telehealth throughout Arizona.