What is EMDR Therapy?
If you've been exploring options for trauma therapy, you may have come across the term EMDR. Short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMDR is a powerful, evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses less on discussing the trauma in detail and more on changing how it's stored in the brain—so it no longer feels so triggering in the present.
How EMDR Works
EMDR therapy is based on the idea that psychological distress is often caused by unprocessed memories that are “stuck” and still cause a person to feel all of the distressing emotions and physiological overwhelm that happened at the time of the experience. It focuses on using the brain's natural healing mechanisms to “reprocess” these memories. The idea is that traumatic memories can be "unstuck" when the therapist helps you recall a traumatic event and guides you through sets of bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements, tactile tapping or alternating auditory tones. This helps your brain reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional charge and helping you form new, healthier associations.
What Can EMDR Treat?
EMDR was originally developed to treat PTSD, but research has shown it to be effective for a wide range of issues, including:
Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression
Grief and loss
Phobias
Performance anxiety
Chronic pain
Childhood trauma and attachment wounds
Many people begin to feel relief in fewer sessions than with traditional talk therapy, though the length of treatment depends on your unique history and goals.
What to Expect in EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy follows a structured model:
History & Treatment Planning – You and your therapist identify target memories and current challenges.
Preparation – You learn grounding and coping skills to ensure you feel safe and resourced.
Assessment – Specific aspects of the memory are identified for processing.
Desensitization & Reprocessing – Bilateral stimulation is used to help reduce the memory’s emotional intensity.
Installation & Body Scan – Positive beliefs are strengthened, and physical responses to the memory are checked and addressed.
Closure & Reevaluation – Each session ends with grounding, and progress is reviewed in future sessions.
Is EMDR Therapy Effective?
Research supports its effectiveness: organizations like the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, and the Department of Veterans Affairs recognize EMDR as a recommended treatment for PTSD and trauma-related disorders. For more information on the research supporting the effectiveness of EMDR, visit the EMDR Institute website.
How Ketamine Can Enhance EMDR Therapy
Both EMDR and ketamine are believed to work through a powerful process known as memory reconsolidation—the brain’s natural ability to update old memories with new information. When we recall a traumatic memory in a safe, therapeutic setting, the brain enters a brief window where that memory becomes malleable. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional charge and helping clients access more adaptive beliefs.
Ketamine can enhance this process by creating a neuroplastic, dissociative state that loosens rigid patterns of thought and emotion. It may allow clients to approach traumatic material with less fear or shame, creating an optimal environment for reprocessing. When combined, ketamine and EMDR can work synergistically—helping clients update painful memories at both the psychological and neurobiological levels.
What to Expect from EMDR
Trauma “reprocessing” sessions usually last between 60–90 minutes. The number of sessions needed varies based on the complexity and severity of the trauma, but many individuals experience significant improvement in just a few sessions. It's important to work with a trained EMDR therapist to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Why Clients Choose EMDR
Many clients choose EMDR because it offers deep relief without requiring them to rehash every painful detail. It's especially empowering for those who have felt stuck in talk therapy or overwhelmed by their emotions.
If you're curious about whether Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™ might be right for you, I offer online sessions for adults in:
👉 Book a free consultation today to learn more about how this approach might support your healing.
