What is EMDR therapy? EMDR, (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), is a structured psychotherapy technique proven to help individuals recover from the lingering effects of traumatic experiences. Helps the brain reprocess painful memories in a healthier way, allowing emotional healing to happen naturally.
Understanding what is EMDR treatment has become essential for anyone seeking new, evidence-based ways to process trauma and emotional distress. If you’re exploring options for EMDR therapy in New York, it’s likely because you’ve heard how powerful this approach can be for trauma, anxiety, or even relationship challenges.
What Does EMDR Stand For and What Is It Used For?
What does EMDR stand for? The acronym means Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It was developed in the late 1980s (1987) by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro, who discovered that specific eye movements seemed to reduce the emotional intensity of distressing memories.
Originally created to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), EMDR is now used for a wide range of psychological issues, including:
- Anxiety and panic disorders.
- Phobias and fears.
- Grief and loss.
- Relationship trauma or attachment wounds.
- Depression and self-esteem challenges.
- Childhood trauma or neglect.
The main goal of EMDR is not to erase memories, but to change how those memories are stored and experienced. After treatment, the memories remain, but their emotional charge and associated distress are reduced significantly.
If you’re ready to work through trauma safely and effectively, reach out to Daniel Criado to learn more about personalized EMDR therapy in New York with a licensed bilingual counselor experienced in trauma recovery.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
Just as the body heals a physical wound, the brain is designed to heal emotional injuries. However, when trauma occurs, that healing process can get stuck. EMDR helps reset and guide it. To understand how EMDR works, think of the brain as a natural healing system.
During EMDR therapy, clients relive distressing memories while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation. Typically, this is done through guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones.
This dual focus allows the brain to reprocess traumatic memories so that they are safely integrated into normal memory networks, reducing emotional reactivity and negative beliefs linked to the experience.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require describing the event in full detail. Instead, it focuses on how the memory is stored, not on what happened. Which can make it particularly effective for those who struggle to verbalize trauma.
The Eight Phases of EMDR Treatment
A full EMDR therapy process typically follows eight structured phases:
- History and treatment planning: Your therapist gathers background information, identifies target memories, and assesses readiness for EMDR.
- Preparation: You’ll learn grounding techniques, relaxation exercises, and emotional regulation tools to feel safe throughout treatment.
- Assessment: The therapist helps identify the specific memory, image, belief, and emotion to be targeted.
- Desensitization: Eye movements or bilateral stimulation begin as you focus on the target memory, gradually reducing its emotional intensity.
- Installation: A positive belief (e.g., “I am safe now”) is reinforced, replacing old negative self-perceptions tied to the trauma.
- Body Scan: You and your therapist observe how the body feels after reprocessing — ensuring that tension or distress has fully released.
- Closure: Each session ends with grounding exercises to help you return to a calm state before leaving therapy.
- Reevaluation: In subsequent sessions, the therapist checks progress and adjusts targets as needed to consolidate the healing process.
These phases make EMDR one of the most structured and empirically validated approaches in modern psychotherapy.
If you’ve been wondering what is EMDR treatment and whether it could help you move forward, schedule a consultation with Daniel Criado, LMHC — a trusted therapist providing EMDR therapy in New York and online across several states.
Benefits and Effectiveness of EMDR Therapy
According to studies reviewed by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), EMDR is recognized as one of the most effective treatments for PTSD and other stress-related conditions.
Key Benefits Include:
- Faster relief from trauma symptoms compared to traditional talk therapy.
- Lasting changes in how traumatic memories are experienced and recalled.
- Improved emotional regulation, reducing anxiety and stress.
- Enhanced self-esteem and resilience, helping clients rebuild confidence.
- Effective for diverse experiences, from single-incident trauma to complex childhood trauma.
What Happens During an EMDR Session?
A typical EMDR session lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. It begins with a check-in to assess your current emotional state and ends with grounding to ensure stability.
During the session:
- The therapist asks you to focus on a specific memory, image, or belief.
- As they do this, they guide you through bilateral stimulation: moving your hand back and forth, so your eyes follow it, or using tactile or auditory cues.
- As the process continues, distressing emotions tend to decrease, and the memory loses its overwhelming impact.
You may experience a mix of emotions, body sensations, or even new insights. Over time, these sessions lead to profound relief and a sense of empowerment.
It’s normal to feel tired or reflective afterward; this is part of the brain’s natural integration process. Many clients report feeling lighter, calmer, and more at peace after just a few sessions.
Is EMDR Therapy Right for You?
Determining whether Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is right for you depends on your symptoms, personal history, and treatment goals.
EMDR is a type of structured psychotherapy that has been shown to be highly effective in treating the psychological aftereffects of traumatic experiences by helping the brain reprocess disturbing memories.
It is a specialized approach that should be guided by a licensed and trained therapist, such as Daniel Criado, LMHC, who has extensive experience integrating EMDR into culturally sensitive and client-centered therapies.
Healing Is Possible
Trauma doesn’t define who you are: it’s something you’ve experienced, not your identity. Understanding what is EMDR therapy opens the door to transforming those painful experiences into resilience, clarity, and emotional balance.
With Daniel Criado, each session is customized to your needs, combining EMDR with evidence-based methods to help you feel centered and in control again.
Take the first step toward emotional freedom. Discover how EMDR therapy in New York, with Daniel Criado Mental Health, can help you heal and move forward with confidence.
