The Myths and Truths of EMDR Therapy

Feb 8

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has been a subject of both praise and controversy since its development by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s.

The American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) both recognize EMDR as an evidence-based treatment for trauma and PTSD. Despite that, myths and misconceptions still continue to circulate within the general public - some due to misunderstanding and misinformation, others due to fear of the unknown.

This article will clarify these misunderstandings and separate myth from fact to help you make an informed decision about whether EMDR is something you are interested in.

The Controversy of EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy has an unconventional approach that differs from the one present in traditional talk therapies. Because of that, it has often been met with skepticism, especially by people who are uninformed or by other professionals who feel threatened by its effectiveness.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones) to help the client reprocess traumatic memories. While some critics say the mechanisms of EMDR are unclear, substantial evidence and research findings support its effectiveness.

Research, including meta-analyses by Bisson et al. (2007), has demonstrated that EMDR significantly reduces PTSD symptoms. Additionally, studies comparing EMDR to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) suggest that EMDR is at least as effective, with some patients experiencing faster symptom relief than CBT.

The Myths of EMDR Therapy

The general public has a few myths about EMDR therapy. These are some of the most popular ones.

Myth: There is no evidence to support it

Fact: Multiple studies and systematic reviews confirm that EMDR is a completely safe and effective therapy treatment for mental health problems and difficulties stemming from traumatic past experiences.

Numerous research and meta-analyses found that EMDR is an effective treatment for PTSD. Furthermore, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) endorse EMDR as a first-line treatment for PTSD.

Myth: It’s a form of Hypnosis

Fact: While EMDR involves focused attention, it is not hypnosis. Clients remain fully conscious and in control throughout the process. Unlike hypnosis, which induces a trance-like state, EMDR actively engages clients in memory reprocessing.

Myth: It only treats PTSD

Fact: While EMDR was initially developed for PTSD, current studies have shown its effectiveness in treating anxiety, depression, phobias, OCD, and complex trauma. Therapists also use EMDR for grief, chronic pain, and performance anxiety.

To read more about the difficulties EMDR can help with, head over to our article on the topic.

Myth: It is an instant remedy

Fact: Healing takes time. While some clients report significant improvements within a few sessions, EMDR, like all therapies, requires commitment. On average, clients experience progress within 6 to 12 sessions, but as Shapiro herself notes - complex trauma may require longer treatment.

Some clients experience improvement and lowering of symptoms only after a few sessions, but EMDR is not a quick fix that magically improves symptoms. As with any other type of psychotherapy, EMDR requires consistency and dedication. For the best results, working diligently and honestly with your therapist to ensure you share all of your symptoms, thoughts, emotions, concerns, and effects is important.

Myth: EMDR erases memories

Fact: EMDR does not erase memories but helps reprocess them. During sessions, the client recalls disturbing or distressing memories while also working on lowering the emotional intensity. This allows the client to integrate these distressing events more adaptively and without experiencing intense emotional distress whenever thinking about them. That said, we often find with our clients that the memories can fade over time and with EMDR work and become less vivid and harder to access..

Myth: Anyone can do EMDR

Fact: EMDR can not be practiced by anyone. Professionals need certification to practice EMDR, which requires extensive training and protocol structuring. Untrained practitioners may cause harm, which is why reputable organizations like EMDRIA provide certification standards.

Myth: You can do EMDR on yourself

Fact: While grounding techniques inspired by EMDR can be helpful for self-regulation, complete EMDR therapy requires a trained clinician. Reprocessing distressing memories without guidance can be overwhelming and even counterproductive.

Myth: EMDR is dangerous and can re-traumatize the person

Fact: EMDR is designed to reduce trauma responses, not exacerbate them. Trained therapists assess client readiness and use grounding techniques to prevent re-traumatization. On this link, you can find everything you need to know about EMDR therapy before your first session. As part of the reprocessing though we are often getting in to difficult stuff from the past so it’s important to have trained therapists.

Myth: EMDR benefits are only short-term

Fact: Long-term follow-up studies indicate that EMDR’s benefits are durable. A study by Bessel van der Kolk (2007) found that EMDR-treated individuals maintained improvements for years after treatment, making EMDR a treatment option for people looking to improve their mental health and life satisfaction in the long run.

Myth: EMDR does not work online

Fact: Telehealth EMDR is effective. Research during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that virtual EMDR sessions produced positive outcomes comparable to in-person treatment. Thus, it is safe to say that EMDR is as effective in virtual settings as it is in person.

Myth: You have to remember everything from the trauma to do EMDR

Fact: Clients do not need to recall every detail of their trauma. EMDR focuses on processing distressing emotions and body sensations, allowing healing even when memory recall is incomplete.

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR therapy is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy that helps individuals process and heal from traumatic or distressing experiences. Dr. Francine Shapiro first developed this type of psychotherapy in 1987 when she noticed that her emotional distress lowered if she made side-to-side eye movements. Wondering why, Shapiro started exploring the phenomenon and formalized the approach into a structured therapeutic modality over time.

At its core, EMDR therapy utilizes bilateral stimulation—typically guided eye movements but also tapping or auditory cues—to facilitate the brain’s ability to process traumatic memories. The theory behind EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which suggests that unprocessed memories become "stuck" in the brain in a maladaptive way, contributing to distress and dysfunction. By engaging in bilateral stimulation while recalling traumatic memories, individuals can help their brain reprocess these experiences, reducing their emotional intensity and integrating them into a more adaptive perspective.

EMDR therapy is a structured, eight-phase psychotherapeutic process that helps individuals process distressing memories and reduce their emotional intensity.

The key phases include:

History Taking & Treatment Planning
Preparation (coping skills and grounding techniques)
Assessment (identifying traumatic memories, negative beliefs, and desired positive beliefs)
Desensitization (recalling memories while using bilateral stimulation)
Installation (reinforcing positive beliefs)
Body Scan (checking for residual distress in the body and processing any lingering sensations)
Closure (returning to a stable emotional state at the end of each session)
Reevaluation (reviewing progress)

By facilitating the brain's natural healing process, EMDR helps clients integrate traumatic experiences in a less distressing manner.

The Truths of EMDR Therapy

Truth: EMDR is evidence-based

Numerous studies, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), confirm EMDR’s efficacy for PTSD and other disorders. It is recognized by the APA, WHO, and the VA as an effective treatment.

Truth: EMDR is safe

EMDR is a structured, controlled therapeutic process led by trained professionals. Therapists ensure that clients have the coping skills necessary before beginning trauma reprocessing.

Truth: EMDR is efficient

Studies show that EMDR often leads to faster symptom reduction than other therapies, making it a time-effective and affordable treatment for people with different backgrounds, circumstances, financial status, or educational levels.

Truth: EMDR is a psychotherapeutic process

EMDR is not just an intervention; it is a comprehensive therapy that integrates cognitive, emotional, and physiological processing for holistic healing.

How to start EMDR therapy?

If you are considering EMDR therapy, start by researching qualified EMDR-trained therapists. Look for professionals certified by organizations like EMDRIA (EMDR International Association). Many therapists offer consultations to assess if EMDR is right for you.

Feel free to contact us and ask questions about EMDR and how we incorporate it into our mental health treatments. The experts at EMDRTherapyNashville will explain everything related to our treatment options and help you decide if EMDR is the right therapy for you.

Conclusion

EMDR therapy is a well-researched, effective treatment for trauma and other psychological conditions. Although some persistent myths remain, scientific evidence and clinical practice affirm its benefits. If you are considering EMDR, consult with a trained professional to explore whether it is the right approach for your healing journey.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, reach out to our EMDR practitioners.

Resources

Bisson, J. I., Roberts, N. P., Andrew, M., Cooper, R., & Lewis, C. (2013). Psychological therapies for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17636720/

Van der Kolk, B., Spinazzola, J., Blaustein, M. E., Hopper, J. W., Hopper, E. K., Korn, D. L., & Simpson, W. B. (n.d.). A randomized clinical trial of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), fluoxetine, and pill placebo in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Treatment effects and long-term maintenance. The Journal of clinical psychiatry. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17284128/

Chen, Y. R., Hung, K. W., Tsai, J. C., Chu, H., Chung, M. H., Ou, K. L., & Chou, K. R. (2018). Efficacy of eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing for patients with posttraumatic-stress disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLOS ONE.

Ho, M. S., & Lee, C. W. (2012). Cognitive behavior therapy versus EMDR for PTSD: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Anxiety Disorders.

Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures. Guilford Press.