As a trauma therapist who works with EMDR every day, I get asked this question a lot: “Who is EMDR for?” It’s a great question because EMDR therapy can help more people than you might think. Let me walk you through who might benefit from this type of therapy and help you figure out if it could be right for you or someone you care about.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. I know that sounds complicated, but it’s actually pretty straightforward. EMDR is a type of therapy that helps your brain process difficult memories and experiences that are still bothering you.
Here’s how it works: While you think about a troubling memory, you’ll also do something that stimulates both sides of your brain – usually following my finger back and forth with your eyes. This dual attention helps your brain reprocess the memory so it doesn’t feel as overwhelming or painful.
The therapy follows eight specific steps, starting with talking about your history and ending with checking how you’re doing. This structure makes sure you’re ready for each part of the process and feel supported throughout.
Who is EMDR for? Who is it NOT for?
I may be biased, but really I think EMDR can be helpful for almost everyone. You see, we all have things in life that made us feel small or unsafe or unworthy. You don’t have to have experienced huge traumas to benefit. However, there are certain types of issues that EMDR really helps with. So, let’s explore the basics first….
Who Benefits Most from EMDR?
People with PTSD
EMDR was first created to help people with PTSD, and it’s still one of the best treatments we have for this condition. Major health organizations around the world recommend EMDR for PTSD because research shows it really works.
If you’ve been through something traumatic – like a car accident, natural disaster, assault, or military combat – and you’re still struggling with flashbacks, nightmares, or feeling on edge, EMDR might help you.
Adults Who Experienced Childhood Trauma or Neglect
Many of my clients experienced trauma as children – things like abuse, neglect, or growing up in homes where they never felt safe. This kind of ongoing trauma affects people differently than single events, and it often takes longer to work through.
EMDR can be incredibly helpful for these experiences, though treatment usually takes more time because there are often multiple memories and experiences to process.
There are several celebrities who have talked about the benefits that EMDR therapy has given them in this area. One great example is Prince Harry who famously lost his mother Princess Diana at an early age in a traumatic car accident. Prince Harry has attributed significant relief and healing from this powerful treatment approach.
“One of the biggest lessons that I’ve ever learned in life is you’ve sometimes got to go back and to deal with really uncomfortable situations and be able to process it in order to be able to heal.” ~Prince Harry
People Struggling with Anxiety
You might be surprised to learn that many anxiety problems actually stem from past experiences that your brain hasn’t fully processed yet. Maybe you had a panic attack in a specific situation, or someone embarrassed you in front of others, and now your brain treats similar situations as dangerous.
EMDR can help with different types of anxiety – general worry, panic attacks, specific fears, and social anxiety. By processing the memories that fuel your anxiety, you can feel calmer and more in control.
Those Dealing with Depression
Depression and trauma often go hand in hand. Sometimes a specific event triggers depression, or maybe you’ve internalized negative messages about yourself over time. Either way, EMDR can help by addressing the root experiences that contribute to your depression.
This works especially well when your depression involves a lot of negative thoughts about yourself or feelings of shame.
Anyone Struggling with Addiction
There’s a strong connection between trauma and addiction. Many people use drugs or alcohol to cope with painful memories or feelings they don’t know how to handle. EMDR can address these underlying issues, making it easier to stay sober and build a healthier life.
EMDR works best when combined with other addiction treatments, not as a replacement for them.
People Dealing with Grief and Loss
Sometimes people get stuck in their grief after losing someone important to them, ending a relationship, or experiencing other major losses. EMDR can help you process the painful emotions around your loss while keeping the good memories intact.
Anyone with Performance Issues
EMDR isn’t just for treating mental health conditions. I’ve worked with athletes, musicians, public speakers, and other professionals who use EMDR to overcome performance anxiety or blocks.
If past failures, criticism, or embarrassing moments are holding you back from doing your best, EMDR might help you move past those experiences.
People with Medical Trauma
Medical procedures, serious diagnoses, or scary hospital experiences can be traumatic too. EMDR can help you process the emotional impact of these experiences. Some people even find that their chronic pain improves when they address the trauma connected to their medical experiences.
Common examples of this might be those dealing with chronic illnesses, migraines, or IBS. Additionally fertility struggles and traumatic birth experiences can be greatly healed through EMDR Therapy. Even early childhood asthma and other medical issues or surgeries that occurred before the age of 2 can have a huge impact on anxiety and mood. EMDR can effectively and safely treat these issues leading you towards greater health and wellness.
Who Might Need to Wait Before Starting EMDR?
EMDR isn’t right for everyone right away. Some people need other help first:
People with Severe Mental Health Symptoms
If you’re experiencing hallucinations, having thoughts of hurting yourself, or dealing with severe symptoms that make daily life very difficult, you might need to work on stabilizing these issues before starting EMDR.
This doesn’t mean you can never do EMDR – just that you might need other support first or understand that your therapy might spend a good amount of time helping you to build the skills and stability needed to start working on memories. Alternately, your therapist might talk with you about finding a place to start that is easier. A good trauma therapist will help you to find a way to break down your trauma work into smaller bites so that you can tolerate the work and build strength over time.
Anyone Currently Using Drugs or Alcohol Heavily
EMDR brings up intense emotions and memories. If you’re actively using substances to cope, this can interfere with the therapy and might even make things harder for you. Most therapists will want you to have some time sober before starting EMDR or will work with you to develop a plan for going back and re-checking certain memories to make sure they don’t need additional work if you were using the first time you processed them. It is common for clients to feel less urge to use the more trauma they heal.
People Without Support Systems
EMDR can be emotionally draining. If you don’t have people in your life who can support you, or if your living situation is chaotic or unsafe, you might need to build more stability before beginning this type of therapy. Alternately, your therapist might work to build internal resources before jumping into memory network.
What Makes Someone Ready for EMDR?
When I’m deciding if someone is ready for EMDR, I look for certain things:
-
- You want to heal and are willing to do the work
-
- You can handle some emotional discomfort without falling apart
-
- You have basic ways to calm yourself when upset, or you’re willing to learn
-
- Your living situation is relatively stable
-
- You can commit to regular therapy sessions
-
- You have at least some people in your life who support you or we’ve built enough resources to stabilize you
-
- You have awareness of your body and the ability to notice what’s coming up for you
-
- You and I have built enough trust to say what’s actually happening for you
EMDR for Different Ages
EMDR can help people of all ages, but the approach changes depending on how old you are:
Children and Teens: We modify EMDR for younger people, sometimes using play, sandtray or art activities along with the eye movements. We also make sure everything is appropriate for their age and development level.
Adults: Standard EMDR usually works well for adults who can participate in all parts of the therapy.
Older Adults: EMDR can help older people process lifetime experiences and adjust to major life changes. Sessions might be shorter or modified if there are physical limitations.
How to Decide if EMDR is Right for You
If you’re wondering whether EMDR might help you, ask yourself these questions:
-
- Do you have painful memories that still bother you regularly?
-
- Do you have things about yourself that you’d like to change, but feel stuck?
-
- Are you experiencing symptoms like nightmares, flashbacks, or panic attacks?
-
- Do you avoid certain places or situations because they remind you of something bad that happened?
-
- Do you have harsh, critical thoughts about yourself that you can’t seem to shake?
-
- Have you tried regular talk therapy but felt like something was still missing?
If you answered yes to several of these questions, EMDR might be worth exploring.
Finding the Right Therapist
Not every therapist is trained in EMDR. If you’re interested in this type of therapy, look for someone who is specifically certified in EMDR or works in a group like Hope For The Journey where everyone is trained in EMDR and there is plenty of support. They should be able to explain the process to you, answer your questions, and help you decide if you’re ready to begin.
The Bottom Line
So, who is EMDR for? The answer is broader than many people realize. While EMDR was originally created for trauma, it can help with anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, performance issues, and more.
The most important thing is finding a qualified therapist who can assess whether you’re ready for EMDR and help you prepare if you’re not quite there yet. Healing is possible, and EMDR has helped millions of people move past experiences that were holding them back.
If you think EMDR might help you, the next step is reaching out to a certified EMDR therapist in your area. They can talk with you about your specific situation and help you decide if this approach fits your needs and goals.
Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Everyone deserves to feel better and live a life that isn’t controlled by past experiences. EMDR might be one tool that can help you get there