What Happens in Your Body During an EMDR Therapy Session?
Key Takeaways
Bilateral stimulation, eye movements, tapping, or tones, is what makes EMDR distinct from other therapies; it engages the brain in a way similar to REM sleep, supporting the processing of stored memories
Trauma can interrupt the brain’s natural filing process, leaving a memory feeling as distressing as when it first happened; EMDR helps the brain complete what it couldn’t at the time
During a session, you hold a memory in awareness while your therapist guides bilateral stimulation; the focus is on the emotional, physical, and belief-based responses connected to that memory, not on retelling the full story
Some moments during EMDR can feel intense in the body; your therapist is there to help you stay within your window of tolerance, and you can stop at any time
Everyone’s experience after a session is different; some feel relief, others notice emotions continuing to surface between sessions; open communication with your therapist throughout the process is encouraged
Why Does EMDR use Bilateral Stimulation?
To understand EMDR, the process, and how your body may feel, it helps to first understand
bilateral stimulation and what it can look like. Bilateral stimulation is one of EMDR’s most
distinctive features. Bilateral stimulation alternates from left to right using eye movements,
tapping, or tones.
EMDR uses this so you pay attention to two things: the memory you hold and the left-to-right movement. While the memory is held in the conscious mind and you follow hand movements with your eyes, this process engages the brain in a way that has been compared to REM sleep, which is associated with processing and integrating everyday experiences.
With trauma, the filing process can become interrupted, which may be why a memory can feel like it is happening again when it resurfaces. EMDR for trauma helps the brain complete the processing that it couldn’t complete at the time.
What Happens During an EMDR Therapy Session and What Does it Feel Like?
When some hear “EMDR” and “processing a specific traumatic event”, it can feel very
intimidating and scary if you don’t know what the process entails. EMDR involves bringing a memory into awareness while the therapist provides bilateral stimulation such as tapping or hand movements.
EMDR is more than revisiting the painful memory; it is a structured therapeutic process
that is supported by your therapist to ensure you feel as comfortable and safe as possible
during the sessions.
What is Processing a Memory?
Memories that have been unprocessed due to a traumatic or distressing event can mean that when the memory resurfaces for you, it remains just as distressing as if it were happening all over again.
This can look like:
tension or tightness in the body,
anxiety or a sense of threat,
feeling emotionally overwhelmed, and/or
having difficulty feeling safe even when the environment is objectively safe.
What is Happening in Your Brain and Body During EMDR?
During EMDR, with dual-focus attention, the therapist will ask you to notice the relationship
between the memories and the physical sensations you experience while holding the memory.
The awareness is brought to the emotional and physical sensations, and beliefs that come up
when you think about what happened. As emotions, physical sensations, and beliefs are acknowledged during the session, along with bilateral stimulation, it helps the brain process and store them, decreasing the intensity of the sensations associated with the memory.
What Might you Experience During an EMDR Session?
During EMDR, bringing awareness to physical and emotional sensations can mean that some
moments feel very intense in your body. This is why the therapist is there to help you stay within
your window of tolerance (regulation) and have a safe space to lean on.
If the session feels too overwhelming at any time, you may stop. We encourage you to listen to
your body, and we will be there to support you!
What Happens After an EMDR Session?
After an EMDR session, clients are asked to track how they feel between sessions, as it is
different for everyone, and share with their therapist at the next session how they are feeling. The therapist will provide grounding and nervous system regulation tools to take home between
sessions.
Will I Feel Different After an EMDR Session?
Everyone’s experience after an EMDR session will vary. Some people may feel relief or a sense
of calm, while others may notice emotions or memories continuing to come up between sessions. That is why we encourage open communication with your therapist so you can feel supported throughout the entire process.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Starting EMDR therapy can feel intimidating, but you don't have to navigate it alone. The first step is simply reaching out to start a conversation. Click the link below to book a free consultation and explore how EMDR can safely support your healing journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I have to relive the traumatic memory in detail during EMDR?
No. EMDR does not require you to describe or retell every detail of what happened. Instead, you bring the memory into awareness while your therapist guides bilateral stimulation. The focus is on what you notice in your body and emotions, not on narrating the full experience.
2. Why does EMDR use eye movements or tapping instead of just talking?
Bilateral stimulation, alternating left-to-right through eye movements, tapping, or tones, engages the brain in a way that has been compared to REM sleep, the state in which we naturally process and integrate experiences. For trauma, where that processing was interrupted, bilateral stimulation helps the brain complete what it couldn’t at the time of the event.
3. What if a session feels too overwhelming?
You are always in control. If the session feels too intense at any point, you can stop. Your therapist will be closely monitoring your verbal and non-verbal cues throughout and will have grounding tools ready to help you return to a regulated state if needed.
4. How will I feel after an EMDR session?
It varies from person to person. Some clients leave feeling a sense of calm or relief, while others notice emotions or memories continuing to surface between sessions as the brain continues to process. Your therapist will send you home with grounding and nervous system regulation tools and will check in at your next session about how you felt in between.
5. How is EMDR different from other trauma therapies?
Most talk-based therapies work through insight, conversation, and building coping strategies. EMDR works differently, it targets the unprocessed memory directly, focusing on the physical sensations, emotions, and beliefs connected to it rather than the story itself. Many people find it effective when other approaches have not fully resolved the impact of a traumatic experience.
