What Is EMDR Therapy?
Many people find that traditional talk therapy helps them understand their experiences, but doesn’t always fully remove the emotional weight those experiences carry. That’s where EMDR therapy can be different.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. If you're looking for the EMDR meaning in therapy, it refers to this specific approach.
Originally developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR was first used to help people recover from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Over time, research and clinical use have shown that EMDR therapy can help with a wide range of emotional wounds, not just trauma. For a clear definition of EMDR therapy, it's a structured approach to reprocessing distressing memories.
If talk therapy hasn’t moved the needle for you, EMDR therapy might offer a path forward that feels gentler, faster, and more freeing.
How EMDR Therapy Works
One of the most common questions I get as a therapist is: “How does EMDR therapy actually work?”
The short answer: EMDR helps your brain reprocess memories so they lose their intense emotional charge. You still remember what happened, but it stops feeling like it’s happening right now.
Here’s the simplified breakdown of EMDR’s process:
History-taking & treatment planning
We discuss your past experiences, current symptoms, and goals for therapy.
Together, we identify the areas where EMDR could help most.
Preparation
We focus on building trust and making sure you feel safe.
You’ll learn grounding techniques and coping skills to use during and between sessions.
Assessment
We choose a specific memory, image, or belief to target.
You’ll identify the negative belief you have about yourself because of that event (for example, “I’m not safe” or “I’m not enough”).
Desensitization
While focusing on the memory, you’ll engage in bilateral stimulation, this could be guided eye movements, tapping, or sound.
This helps your brain process the memory in a new way, reducing distress.
Installation
We strengthen a positive belief to replace the old one (for example, “I am safe now” or “I am enough”).
Body scan
You check in with your body to notice any lingering tension or discomfort.
Closure
We ensure you leave the session feeling grounded and emotionally stable.
Reevaluation
In your next session, we review how you’re feeling and decide the next step.
The beauty of EMDR therapy is that it doesn’t require you to share every detail of your trauma out loud. You remain fully awake and in control the entire time.
What EMDR Helps With
EMDR is most known for treating trauma and PTSD, but it’s effective for many emotional struggles, including:
PTSD and complex trauma
Anxiety disorders
Panic attacks
Depression
Phobias
Grief and loss
Low self-worth
Emotional triggers that feel “stuck”
At VG Therapy Co, we often use EMDR therapy with high-achieving individuals who:
Carry unresolved childhood experiences
Struggle with burnout or perfectionism
Feel emotionally “shut down” or “too much”
Experience relationship patterns that repeat despite their best efforts
If you're seeking trauma therapy in Phoenix AZ, EMDR could be a powerful option.
What to Expect During a Session
The first few EMDR therapy sessions are about building safety, not jumping into reprocessing right away.
When we begin the actual EMDR work, here’s what you can expect:
You’ll focus on a specific memory, thought, or belief.
I’ll guide you through short sets of eye movements, tapping, or sounds.
After each set, you’ll briefly share what came up—this might be an image, a thought, or even a body sensation.
We repeat the process until the memory feels less distressing and the positive belief feels true.
It’s a gentle, collaborative process. You decide how much you want to share. You set the pace. My role is to guide and support and not push you beyond your readiness.
Common Misconceptions About EMDR
Because EMDR therapy is different from traditional talk therapy, there are a few myths worth clearing up about the EMDR therapy meaning:
“It’s hypnosis.” False. You are fully awake and aware the entire time.
“It only works for trauma survivors.” False. EMDR therapy can help with anxiety, grief, phobias, and more.
“It’s a quick fix.” Not necessarily. Some clients feel relief quickly, but deeper work often takes multiple sessions.
“You have to relive everything in detail.” False. You can process without telling your therapist every detail of the event.
Is EMDR Right for You?
You might be a good fit for EMDR therapy if:
You’ve tried talk therapy but still feel stuck
You have distressing memories that still feel “present”
Your emotional reactions feel bigger than the situation calls for
You want to address the root of your pain, not just the symptoms
At VG Therapy Co, we carefully assess readiness for EMDR. We make sure you have the skills and support to handle the emotions that may come up during the process. If you're searching for an EMDR therapist in Phoenix AZ or specifically interested in EMDR therapy in Phoenix, we can help. We also offer EMDR therapy online.
Your Healing Journey starts with EMDR Therapy
EMDR isn’t magic, but it can feel close. By helping your brain fully process what it’s been holding onto, EMDR therapy can give you the freedom to live more in the present, without the past weighing you down.
It’s not about erasing your story. It’s about changing your relationship to it, so you can move forward with more peace, confidence, and self-trust.
