Healing Trauma with EMDR Therapy
When overwhelming or painful experiences happen—whether it’s a car accident, bullying at school, the loss of a loved one, or a scary labour and delivery—the effects can stay with us. Trauma doesn’t always show up the way we expect. For some people, it looks like anxiety, sleeplessness, or irritability. For others, it may appear as trouble concentrating, avoiding certain places or situations, or big emotional outbursts. For both children and adults, these reactions are the brain’s way of holding onto unprocessed experiences. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can help.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR was developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s and is now widely recognized by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychiatric Association as an effective treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require someone to describe every detail of what happened. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or gentle sounds) while the person recalls aspects of a troubling memory. This process helps the brain “digest” the memory in a healthier way so these memories feel less intense and less bothersome.
Benefits of EMDR for Adults
Adults often come to EMDR therapy when they feel stuck in the past or find themselves reacting strongly to situations that don’t seem to warrant it. Research shows EMDR can:
Lessen symptoms of trauma such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance.
Reduce anxiety, panic, or depression connected to painful experiences.
Help people let go of the “charge” around distressing memories so they can move forward with greater peace.
Benefits of EMDR for Children
Children don’t always have the words to talk about what happened, but their bodies and behaviours often tell the story. Trauma can show up as tantrums, withdrawal, regression, sleep troubles, or difficulty in school. I adapt EMDR for children by integrating it with play, drawing, or storytelling to meet them at their developmental level. Parents can be involved in the process too.
When children go through EMDR, they often:
Feel safer and calmer in their daily lives.
Develop better coping skills and emotional balance.
Show fewer trauma-related behaviours, like nightmares or excessive worry.
Gain confidence and resilience as difficult memories lose their intensity.
What to Expect in EMDR Therapy
Whether for a child, teen, or adult, EMDR therapy typically follows eight phases that include
History & Preparation – Understanding your story and building a sense of safety.
Resource Building – Learning calming strategies, such as grounding or calming imagery.
Identifying Targets – Choosing the memories or themes to work on.
Reprocessing – Using bilateral stimulation while focusing on the memory.
Installation & Integration – Replacing distressing, unhelpful beliefs with healthier, more empowering beliefs.
The process is always paced with care, ensuring you are supported along the way.
Is EMDR Right for You or Your Child?
EMDR has been shown to help with:
Single-incident trauma (accidents, natural disasters, medical events)
Ongoing or complex trauma (abuse, neglect, repeated stress)
Anxiety, panic, or phobias
Grief and loss
Healing from trauma takes courage, and it’s never too late for that process to begin. EMDR therapy offers a safe, evidence-based way for children, teens, and adults to move beyond painful experiences and reconnect with a greater sense of safety, calm, and hope.
