What Is EMDR Therapy? A Christian Approach to Healing from Trauma

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a specific trauma therapy modality and it works by helping the brain, more effectively in many cases, do what it was always meant to do: heal. God designed you not to carry this pain alone but to grow and change in relationship with Him and others – He meets you in the center of your healing. 

How EMDR Therapy Was Developed

Francine Shapiro discovered EMDR in the late 1980s. In her book Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, she describes a “chance” discovery while walking in the park, noticing that different eye movements decreased the intensity of distressing thoughts. Through her clinical work and research, this approach developed into an evidence-based therapy used to help people process trauma and treat PTSD.

What Is EMDR Therapy and How Does It Work?

The origins of EMDR therapy are intended to aid the brain in processing and healing from distressing thoughts or “stuck” experiences. Often when an event or situation becomes overwhelming, the prefrontal cortex goes offline, leaving memories stored in a way that doesn’t make sense. EMDR takes those memories and helps to store it properly, allowing us to think about it in a controlled, predictable way that no longer causes unexpected triggers or dysregulation. In EMDR, a therapist uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds, to activate both hemispheres of the brain to help the brain reprocess a distressed or stuck thought in a safe way. As time passes, the distressing thought or “stuck” memory becomes less intense, allowing the individual to experience greater relief, clarity, and calm when recalling something that once felt overwhelming.

What Happens During an EMDR Therapy Session?

Naturally, having clarity about what is happening during EMDR therapy can help reduce uncertainty and anxieties that might be holding us back. It can feel scary to start something we don’t understand! So, what does it look like? 

Identifying a Memory or Experience to Target

First, we want to identify the memory; the clinician collaborates with the client to find a difficult or distressing memory to target. Bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds, can help engage both hemispheres of the brain to process the memory  effectively while also helping to regulate the nervous system. 

Using Bilateral Stimulation

The clinician can use different bilateral stimulation options such as a light bar, finger movement, or a dot moving side-to-side; if that causes motion sickness, tactile options such as buzzers or sounds through headphones can be used. Ensuring the most comfortable options for each person helps to create a safe environment while also providing the best care for your healing journey. 

Reprocessing the Memory

The goal of EMDR therapy is to help the brain reprocess a distressing memory so that it is no longer all-consuming. Reprocessing does not mean forgetting what happened or changing the facts of the experience. Instead, it helps the memory become connected to the past rather than continuing to feel as though it is happening in the present. Over time, the memory may still be painful, but it can feel less intense, less triggering, and less powerful in shaping how you see yourself or respond to the world around you.

What Does EMDR Therapy Feel Like?

Often people ask, “What should I expect emotionally?” 

Preparing for EMDR is a crucial part of the healing process. The clinician will guide and teach a client various coping skills, such as grounding and breathing techniques, to manage more intense emotions that arise during the session or when the window of tolerance (what we’re capable of handling emotionally at any given moment) shifts. During this preparation time, it is also normal to talk through goals and what needs to be worked on to achieve therapy goals and build trust. This is also an important time to establish self-care and proper support outside of sessions, allowing you to proceed with EMDR therapy feeling well-prepared. 

It is normal to experience a wide range of emotions as your mind begins to process past experiences. There can be sadness, anxiety, confusion, hesitation, or even unexpected emotions that start to surface when the bilateral stimulation begins. However although these emotions may come up, they become more manageable than before, and a shift occurs as the process continues. Throughout this process, the clinician will walk alongside you to establish safety and grounding. The clinician monitors the window of tolerance, maintaining emotional regulation in an area that allows effective processing, to ensure the client remains in the optimal zone of arousal during the session. The clinician assesses for signs of hyperarousal, such as increased anxiety, agitation, rapid speech, muscle tension, emotional flooding, or difficulty concentrating, as well as signs of hypoarousal, including emotional numbing, withdrawal, dissociation, slowed responses, or difficulty remaining present. The clinician also uses client self-report and subjective distress ratings to assess the client’s level of activation. This can ensure that progress is being made and that a client is not in different states of hyperarousal, known as fight-or-flight, or hypoarousal, often seen as being checked out or withdrawn.

What Can EMDR Therapy Help Treat?

EMDR therapy is most widely known for treating trauma and PTSD, but it may also be helpful for people experiencing anxiety, phobias, distressing memories, and other concerns connected to difficult or overwhelming experiences. Sometimes what we are struggling with in the present is connected to something our brain and body learned in the past—even when we don’t immediately recognize the connection.

The goal is not to erase difficult memories or eliminate every uncomfortable emotion. Instead, EMDR can help reduce the intensity attached to past experiences so they have less power over the present—allowing you to respond with greater freedom, flexibility, and a sense of safety.

Christian EMDR Therapy: Integrating Faith and Trauma Treatment

When we add a Christian lens to EMDR therapy, we can see a renewal of the mind, as reflected in Romans 12:2. With the client’s consent, clinicians can blend prayer and scripture into EMDR sessions. This ensures that a client’s faith journey is acknowledged while being consistent within their therapy process. In building safety and resources, God can be placed at the center, as His presence brings peace and anchors hope. EMDR therapy can even help facilitate forgiveness, creating a safe environment for processing and healing past wounds. God meets us where we are and guides us in the midst of difficult seasons. When EMDR is processed through a Christian lens, through faith, prayer, and Scripture, it can build richness and depth within our relationship with God and others. The connection between faith and EMDR therapy can be a light on the path to emotional healing. Even when scripture or prayer isn’t actively integrated into the EMDR process, it can still be a God-honoring way to facilitate healing in the brain and nervous system.  

Benefits of EMDR Therapy for Trauma and Painful Memories

EMDR therapy offers an effective way to help the brain process distressing or “stuck” experiences. One benefit of EMDR is that the emotional intensity of the distressing memory becomes more distant and manageable over time. There is a shift of these negative beliefs toward a more balanced thought process. With a decrease in anxiety and an increase in emotional stability, there can be a sense of calmness in the body, mind, and soul. 

Find Christian EMDR and Trauma Therapy in North Carolina

At Dwell, we will walk with you on your healing journey. Beginning EMDR therapy doesn’t have to be overwhelming – it can be a gentle step towards guidance, healing, and clarity at your own pace. When you feel ready, we invite you to explore our Trauma Therapy page or to reach out to schedule a free consultation call. 

Author: Jordan Horton, LCMHCA