Have you ever felt like a memory from your past is stuck on repeat, coloring your days no matter how much you wish you could move on? When something deeply painful lingers, it can feel like being caught in a loop you just can’t escape, one moment, an ordinary sound or sight, and suddenly you’re back in that old fear or helplessness. If you’re tired of feeling trapped by what happened, know that healing is possible. EMDR therapy is a gentle, evidence-based way to help your mind untangle those memories, bringing real relief and giving you the chance to step fully into the life you deserve.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. It’s a unique and powerful form of therapy designed to help people heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences. The core idea behind it is that sometimes, when something traumatic happens, the memory gets “stuck” in the brain. Instead of being processed and stored away like a normal memory, it remains raw and active, complete with the original sights, sounds, emotions, and physical sensations. This is explained by the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which suggests that trauma can disrupt our brain’s natural ability to heal itself.
EMDR therapy uses a technique called bilateral stimulation, most commonly guided eye movements, but it can also involve gentle tapping or auditory tones, to kickstart the brain’s information processing system. This alternating, side-to-side stimulation helps the brain make new connections, similar to what happens during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase of sleep when we process the day’s events. It allows the stuck traumatic memories to be properly processed and stored. As the brain works through these memories, they lose their painful intensity. One of the most reassuring aspects of EMDR is that you don’t have to talk in detail about the trauma for the processing to work, which can be a huge relief for those who find it too painful to speak about their experiences.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy phases
One of the things that makes EMDR therapy so effective is its structured approach. It’s not just a single technique but a comprehensive, eight-phase treatment protocol. This structure ensures that you feel safe, prepared, and supported every step of the way. Your therapist will guide you through each phase at a pace that feels right for you, making sure the process is tailored to your unique history and needs. It’s a collaborative journey where you are always in control.
The eight phases of EMDR therapy include:
- Phase 1: History-taking and treatment planning. Your therapist gets to know you, understands your history, and identifies the specific memories or issues you want to work on.
- Phase 2: Preparation. This is where your therapist explains the process and teaches you self-calming techniques to manage any emotional distress that might come up during or between sessions.
- Phase 3: Assessment. You and your therapist will identify the specific target memory, the negative belief you hold about yourself connected to it, and the positive belief you’d rather feel.
- Phase 4: Desensitization. While holding the memory in mind, you’ll engage in bilateral stimulation until the emotional distress associated with the memory fades.
- Phase 5: Installation. This phase focuses on strengthening your desired positive belief until it feels true and solid.
- Phase 6: Body scan. You’ll be asked to notice any lingering physical tension or discomfort while thinking of the memory and the positive belief, and your therapist will help you process it.
- Phase 7: Closure. At the end of each session, your therapist ensures you feel calm and grounded, providing tools to help you stay balanced until your next meeting.
- Phase 8: Re-evaluation. At the beginning of the next session, you and your therapist will review your progress to ensure the results are holding and identify what to work on next.
Navigating the path to healing is a brave first step. Understanding your options, including how your insurance can support your treatment, can make the process smoother. You can begin the admissions process to see how we can help create a personalized plan for you.
Preparation
The preparation phase is all about building a foundation of safety and trust. Before any deep processing begins, your therapist will spend time getting to know you and building a strong therapeutic relationship. They’ll explain how EMDR works and answer any questions you have, ensuring you feel completely comfortable. A crucial part of this phase is learning self-calming techniques, like breathing exercises or visualization, that you can use to manage emotional distress during and between sessions. This preparation ensures you feel equipped and empowered throughout your healing journey.
Desensitization
This is the heart of the reprocessing work. During the desensitization phase, your therapist will ask you to hold a specific traumatic memory in your mind while you engage in bilateral stimulation. The goal here isn’t to relive the pain but to allow your brain to process it differently.
Your therapist will check in with you regularly, often using a scale called the Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) to measure how upsetting the memory feels. As the processing continues, you’ll notice the distress level dropping until the memory no longer feels emotionally charged. Your therapist carefully guides this process to ensure you always feel safe and in control.
Installation
Once the distress from the traumatic memory has faded, the installation phase begins. Here, the focus shifts from the negative to the positive. You’ll work on strengthening a positive, empowering belief you want to have about yourself. For example, a negative belief like “I am helpless” might be replaced with “I am strong and in control now.” Using bilateral stimulation, your therapist will help “install” this new cognition until it feels completely true. Progress is often measured on the Validity of Cognition (VoC) scale. This phase solidifies new, adaptive perspectives, helping you move forward with confidence.
Re-evaluation
At the beginning of each new session, your therapist will start with a re-evaluation. This is a simple check-in to see how you’re doing and to ensure that the progress from previous sessions is holding. You’ll briefly revisit the memories you’ve worked on to confirm that the distress levels remain low and that the positive belief still feels strong. This important step helps your therapist track your progress over time and identify any new memories or issues that may have surfaced and are ready for processing.
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Is it effective?
Yes, EMDR therapy is highly effective. Decades of research have shown that it can provide significant and lasting relief from the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is recognized as a top-tier treatment by major health organizations around the world, including the American Psychological Association (APA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The evidence supporting its effectiveness is compelling.
For example, studies have shown that 84-90% of single-trauma victims no longer had PTSD after only three 90-minute sessions. Another groundbreaking study with people who experienced multiple traumas found that 77% no longer met the criteria for PTSD after just six 50-minute sessions. These results show how EMDR can help people heal from trauma much more quickly than many traditional therapies. It offers a structured, evidence-based path to reclaim your life from the grip of past events.
Who can benefit from EMDR therapy?
While EMDR therapy is best known for treating PTSD, its benefits extend to a wide range of challenges. Anyone who feels haunted by distressing life experiences can find relief through this therapy. It is effective for anxiety, depression, panic attacks, grief and loss, and phobias. If you have memories that still trigger a strong emotional or physical reaction, EMDR can help you find peace.
At Red Ribbon Recovery, we often see the powerful connection between unresolved trauma and substance use. For many, addiction begins as a way to cope with the overwhelming pain of past events. This is known as a dual diagnosis, where a substance use disorder and a mental health condition exist at the same time. EMDR therapy is a critical tool in treating this because it addresses the root cause of the pain. By helping the brain process and heal from the underlying trauma, it can reduce the urge to use substances to numb the symptoms. This approach is a key part of building a resilient, long-term recovery. We integrate EMDR into a holistic treatment plan that may also include therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy to provide comprehensive, whole-person care and address the ways trauma can lead to psychological addiction.
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EMDR therapy is an effective treatment for disturbing life experiences
You don’t have to carry this burden alone. Healing is possible, and EMDR therapy offers an effective, structured path toward lasting relief. At Red Ribbon Recovery, our compassionate team specializes in dual diagnosis care, understanding how trauma and addiction are often intertwined. We are here to provide expert, trauma-informed treatment to help you break free from the past and build the future you deserve, whether you’re in Indiana or accessing our services via telehealth.
Taking the first step is often the hardest, but we’re here to make it easier. If you’re ready to explore how EMDR therapy can help you, please call us at (317) 707-9848 for a free assessment. At Red Ribbon Recovery Indiana, we’re committed to helping you heal. Feel free to contact us today to learn more about our programs and start your journey to recovery.
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Admitting you have a substance abuse problem and asking for help is not always easy. If you or a loved one are struggling with drug addiction, alcohol addiction or another substance use disorder, help is available. Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at (317) 707-9848 to learn about resources in your area or reach out to our team for personalized treatment.
- EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (like eye movements) to help the brain reprocess and safely store traumatic memories, lessening their intense emotional impact.
- The therapy is a structured, eight-phase protocol, ensuring clients feel safe and prepared through self-calming techniques before memory processing begins.
- A crucial element is desensitization, where distress from the memory fades, followed by installing a new, positive belief to foster self-empowerment.
- EMDR is highly effective for trauma and dual diagnosis, addressing the root pain to support resilient, long-term recovery and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions About Detox
How does EMDR therapy work differently from talk therapy?
Unlike talk therapy or approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and extended exposure, EMDR therapy does not require detailed verbal recounting of traumatic events. During an EMDR therapy session, clients focus on a targeted memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation. This activates emotional processes and internal associations, allowing trauma memories to reprocess without overwhelming emotional distress. Many people find EMDR therapy works in fewer sessions because it directly targets the trauma memory rather than relying solely on discussion.
Is EMDR therapy effective for PTSD and severe emotional pain?
Yes. EMDR therapy demonstrates strong outcomes for treating posttraumatic stress disorder and PTSD symptoms. Research recognized by organizations such as the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association shows EMDR therapy results in significant symptom reduction for single trauma victims and individuals with repeated traumatic stress. EMDR therapy shows effectiveness in reducing severe emotional pain, emotional wounds that linger, and trauma-related anxiety by addressing the biological mechanisms involved in trauma storage.
What happens during a typical EMDR therapy session?
A typical EMDR therapy session follows a structured therapy model grounded in the adaptive information processing model. The therapist helps identify a targeted memory linked to psychological trauma or other distressing life experiences. While focusing on that memory, the client engages in bilateral stimulation, allowing unprocessed memories to integrate into healthier mental processes. As the EMDR therapeutic process continues, emotional distress decreases, positive belief systems are strengthened, and insights clients gain often support long-term emotional health and successful treatment outcomes.
Reviews
Sources
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (January 1, 2020). Adaptive Information Processing Theory: Origins, Principles …. PubMed.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (September 25, 2024). Editorial: EMDR and the AIP Model: Healing the Scars of Trauma. National Institutes of Health.
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. (June 11, 2024). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (June 14, 2019). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD. National Center for PTSD.
- PLOS One. (August 7, 2014). A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. PLOS One.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (August 7, 2023). Clinical Efficiency and Acceptability of EMDR and MOSAIC Therapy …. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (January 1, 2014). The Role of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing … . National Institutes of Health.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (March 1, 2014). TIP 57: Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services. SAMHSA.
- National Institute of Mental Health. (January 1, 2024). Coping With Traumatic Events. National Institute of Mental Health.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (February 21, 2025). Screening and Assessment. SAMHSA.
About the content
Written by: Carli Simmonds. Carli Simmonds holds a Master of Arts in Community Health Psychology from Northeastern University. From a young age, she witnessed the challenges her community faced with substance abuse, addiction, and mental health challenges, inspiring her dedication to the field.
Medical reviewed by: Jodi Tarantino, LICSW. Jodi Tarantino is an experienced, licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and Program Director with over 20 years of experience in Behavioral Healthcare. Also reviewed by the RRR Editorial team.
Red Ribbon Recovery is committed to delivering transparent, up-to-date, and medically accurate information. All content is carefully written and reviewed by experienced professionals to ensure clarity and reliability. During the editorial and medical review process, our team fact-checks information using reputable sources. Our goal is to create content that is informative, easy to understand and helpful to our visitors.
