Is EMDR for Me?

And other frequently asked questions

In a documentary series released on May 21, 2021, entitled “The Me You Can’t See,” Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry interview and have open conversations with athletes and stars like Lady Gaga, Glenn Close, and two NBA players about mental health. 

As a part of this documentary, Oprah and Prince Harry also open up about their own mental health and share personal stories. For example, in the 5th and 6th episodes of the series, Prince Henry shares the trauma surrounding the death of his mother. He states, “ I can safely say that losing my mum at the age of 12, and therefore shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years, has had a quite serious effect on, not only my personal life but my work as well. I have probably been very close to a complete breakdown on numerous occasions.” 

In an effort to decrease mental health stigma and educate more people about health and healing, Prince Harry allows the viewers into one of his own Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) sessions. 

As you can imagine, when the documentary was released, interest increased in the therapy Prince Harry received for anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As a result, I began receiving questions about EMDR as people were curious about this treatment. They wondered if, like Harry, EMDR could help them. 

Have you been curious about EMDR and are trying to decide whether to pursue it for yourself or a loved one? If so, please consider this compilation of questions I receive most frequently as a certified EMDR clinician. 

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is an evidence-based therapy that is effective in addressing PTSD and trauma. This neurologically-based approach helps the brain move through stuck places, thoughts, memories, and body sensations by using eye movements (or tapping, pulsars, and other alternating stimuli).

According to The EMDR International Association, “the goal of EMDR therapy is to completely process the experiences that are causing problems, and to include new ones that are needed for full health.”

Is EMDR a reputable type of therapy?

This therapy, developed by Francine Shapiro in the 1980s, has been empirically studied and recommended by major health organizations worldwide for the treatment of trauma and PTSD. 

For further information including research articles & citations, please review this resource:

Is EMDR compatible with my Christian worldview?

Yes, EMDR can use a client’s faith and spiritual beliefs as a strength and resource. This would be determined and discussed in the beginning stages of EMDR preparation. 

My clients often have new or deeper experiences with Jesus during EMDR. Personally, I have witnessed Christians have deep EMDR sessions in which they were able to connect the truths that they knew in their minds in a new way. In my own work (as a client), EMDR helped me heal in ways that allowed me to move forward trusting in God’s care and provision more fully. 

Likewise, many clients and peers who are not religious and would not identify as Christians, state that EMDR is a very spiritual experience. 

Is it a form of hypnosis?

No, you are fully aware and conscious during EMDR therapy sessions. 

Can you do EMDR online?

Yes, EMDR can be done virtually as shown in Prince Harry’s EMDR session.

There are several ways to administer EMDR online including eye movements, sounds, and self-tapping. I have been using virtual EMDR successfully for the last two years. 

What does the EMDR therapy process look like?

There are eight phases to EMDR therapy:

1. initial history taking and treatment planning  This is typically done in the first one or two sessions.
2. preparation  This is the part that varies the most as it is created for each individual client to prepare the client for phases 3-7.
3. assessment  Phases 3-7 are typically done in one session. They are about activating the brain, then calming it down.
4. desensitization
5. installation
6. body scan
7. closure 
8. reevaluation  Follow-up after a reprocessing session. 

Eight phases sounds time-consuming. Is it?

I understand that “Eight Phases” can sound overwhelming and time-consuming. However, it’s not that bad and actually, we can often do phases 3-7 in one 90 minute session. 

How long does EMDR treatment usually take?

Overall, treatment duration varies depending on the complexity of the trauma history. According to the EMDR International Association, “The amount of time the complete treatment will take depends upon the history of the client.” For clients with a single trauma instance, EMDR can provide relief and decrease symptoms in as little as 3-4 sessions. 

When clients come to EMDR therapy with a complex history of trauma or multiple trauma targets, the time needed will vary. Therefore, the length of time needed to complete treatment will depend on how many resources the client currently has and how much previous counseling work the client has done. 

What if I’ve had counseling in the past?

Many of my EMDR clients are referred to me after having done other types of counseling work like talk therapy, cognitive therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral therapy. Yet they still feel limited in their present life. Those clients are often able to have a shorter preparation phase due to the resources they have learned in their past work.

Please know that we work together to utilize the skills that you have and decrease the time we need to spend in the preparation phase. 

What is EMDR effective in treating?

EMDR is most known for the treatment of complex trauma and PTSD. However, it is also effective in treating:

• single trauma incidents (like medical diagnoses and procedures)
• anxiety 
• panic attacks
• abuse (physical, emotional, spiritual, sexual, intimate partner)
• childhood neglect
• attachment issues
• birth trauma
• adoption grief and trauma
• sports-related injuries

In addition, clients also report improvement with connecting issues such as depression, body image and body dysmorphia, disordered eating, self-harm behaviors, sleep issues, and psychosomatic symptoms like tingling, and phantom pains.

Can you use EMDR if you don’t have a clear moment of trauma?

The short answer is yes. We can use the EMDR approach with any sensory information (smell, sight, sound, taste or body sensation). Also, if there is a memory that you would rather (or not be able to not talk about), reprocessing is still possible.

For more information on this question, please see my previous blog post entitled, “When You Don’t Know What Went Wrong.”

What is the cost of this specialized therapy?

At Restoration Counseling, the cost varies based on the therapist; however, my fees are the same for talk therapy and EMDR.

When I received EMDR therapy as the client, I felt like it was a wise financial investment. As a result of EMDR, I saw deep healing in a much shorter time frame than in my conventional talk therapy sessions. This is one of the reasons why I am so passionate about this type of therapy! Deep, impactful healing at an accelerated pace. 

Where can I get more information?

For more information about EMDR, I recommend going to the EMDR International Association website.  You will find great videos and informational articles there. 

Written by:

Rebeca Gilbert