Published September 26, 2026

If you have ever wondered why something that happened in the past can still feel so present, you are not alone.

Sometimes we know logically that an experience is over, but our emotions or our body seem to respond as though it is still happening. A memory, a certain situation, a sound, a relationship, or even a physical sensation can bring up anxiety, tension, fear, sadness, or a strong urge to pull away.

EMDR is one approach I may use in therapy to help people work through experiences that continue to feel unresolved.

What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

It is a structured therapy approach that was originally developed for trauma and post-traumatic stress. Today, EMDR is also used in a variety of situations where past experiences continue to influence how someone feels or responds in the present.

The basic idea is that sometimes an experience does not get fully processed in the way other memories do. Instead of simply feeling like something that happened in the past, parts of the experience can still feel very close.

EMDR is designed to help the brain process those experiences differently.

The goal is not to erase a memory or convince yourself that something painful did not matter. It is to help the memory become less overwhelming so that it can feel more like something that happened to you rather than something you are still living through.

Trauma does not always look the way people expect

When people hear the word trauma, they sometimes picture one major, life-threatening event.

That certainly can be trauma, but our experiences are more individual than that.

Some people can point to a specific event that changed things for them. Others have gone through repeated experiences over time, difficult relationships, loss, instability, or situations where they did not feel safe, supported, or understood.

The effects can also look different from person to person.

You may notice anxiety, difficulty relaxing, feeling disconnected, being easily startled, avoiding certain situations, struggling with trust, or having reactions that seem much bigger than what is happening in the moment.

Sometimes the reaction is less about thoughts and more about what happens in the body.

That is one reason I value approaches that pay attention to both.

What happens during EMDR therapy?

EMDR is more than simply following something back and forth with your eyes.

Before we begin working directly with a difficult experience, we spend time understanding what brings you to therapy, what you would like to change, and what helps you feel grounded and supported.

There is no benefit in rushing.

Part of the process is making sure you have ways to manage what comes up and that we are moving at a pace that feels appropriate for you.

When we do begin processing, you may focus briefly on part of a memory while using what is called bilateral stimulation. This simply means alternating stimulation from one side of the body to the other.

Eye movements are one way of doing that. Other forms may involve alternating sounds or tapping.

As the process continues, different thoughts, emotions, memories, or body sensations may come up. We pay attention to what is happening without forcing the process in a particular direction.

Do I have to tell the whole story?

This is one of the questions people often have about trauma therapy.

With EMDR, you usually do not have to describe every detail of an experience out loud.

We still talk enough for me to understand what you are dealing with and to make sure we are approaching it safely, but therapy does not have to mean repeatedly telling every painful detail.

For some people, that makes the idea of working through a difficult experience feel more manageable.

And you are always allowed to say that you are not ready to talk about something.

Therapy should not feel like someone is pushing you to disclose more than you are comfortable sharing.

Is EMDR only for PTSD?

No.

EMDR is well known for its use with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but people may carry the effects of difficult experiences without identifying themselves as having PTSD.

Past experiences can affect how we see ourselves, how safe we feel with other people, how we respond to stress, or what happens in our bodies when something reminds us of the past.

Whether EMDR makes sense for you depends on what you are experiencing and what you hope to get from therapy.

I do not believe every person needs the same approach. EMDR may be a helpful part of therapy for one person while someone else may benefit more from a different approach, or from a combination of approaches.

What does EMDR feel like?

There is not one answer because people experience it differently.

You may notice emotions shift. You may remember something you had not thought about in a long time. You may notice tension or another physical sensation change. Sometimes a new thought or perspective comes up that you were not expecting.

Other times the changes are quieter and become more noticeable between sessions.

You do not have to make any of that happen.

My role is to help guide the process, pay attention to how you are doing, and adjust when we need to.

How long does EMDR take?

There is no set number of sessions that is right for everyone.

Someone working through one specific experience may have a very different process than someone who has lived through years of difficult or complicated experiences.

We also do not have to use EMDR during every session.

It can be one part of therapy alongside talking, developing practical coping tools, exploring patterns, paying attention to what is happening in the body, and gaining a better understanding of yourself.

What matters most is that the work fits you rather than trying to fit you into a particular method.

EMDR therapy in Meridian, Idaho

I provide individual counseling for adults at Bright Hope Therapy in Meridian, Idaho, and telehealth is available for clients throughout Idaho.

I am EMDR trained and may incorporate EMDR when it fits a client's needs, comfort level, and goals for therapy.

My overall approach is holistic. That means we can pay attention not only to thoughts and emotions, but also to the nervous system, physical responses, relationships, past experiences, values, and the things that are important to you as a whole person.

If you are curious about EMDR but are not sure whether it is right for you, that is completely okay. You do not need to figure that out before reaching out.

We can talk about what you have been experiencing, what you would like help with, and decide together what approach makes the most sense for you.