If you’ve been researching ways to heal from trauma or move past “stuck” emotions, you’ve likely come across the term EMDR. You’ve heard it’s “magic,” “life-changing,” or “weird.” But if the idea of moving your eyes back and forth while thinking about your darkest moments feels intimidating, you aren’t alone.
At My Denver Therapy, we believe the more you know about the process, the more empowered you’ll feel to start. Here is exactly what happens during an EMDR session and what you can expect the experience to feel like.
1. It’s Not Just “Eye Wiggling”
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured eight-phase treatment. You don’t dive into the hard stuff on day one.
We spend significant time on Phase 2: Stabilization, where we help you build a “mental toolkit” of coping skills (like the “Safe State” or “Container” exercises) to ensure you feel grounded before we ever touch a traumatic memory to help you feel safe and in control during sessions.
2. The Bilateral Stimulation (BLS)
When it is time to process a memory, we use Bilateral Stimulation. This sounds clinical, but it’s simple: it involves taxing your working memory through:
Following a light bar or the therapist’s hand with your eyes. This can be done in-person and online.
Holding “tappers” that gently vibrate in each hand.
Listening to alternating tones in headphones.
3. The “Dual Awareness” Experience
Unlike traditional talk therapy, you aren’t “re-living” the trauma. You have one foot in the present (the safe office in Denver) and one foot in the past (the memory), and you remain in control.
You are an observer of the memory, watching it like a movie through a train window. You’ll notice sensations in your body, new thoughts, or even forgotten details as your brain begins to “digest” the experience like never before.
4. The “EMDR Hangover”
One thing we always tell our clients: you might feel tired afterward. Because your brain is doing the heavy lifting of rewiring neural pathways, it’s very common to feel a bit “spacey” or physically exhausted after a deep EMDR session.
We recommend scheduling your EMDR therapy in Denver on a day when you can head home and relax afterward rather than rushing back into a high-stress meeting or to pick up your kids from school.
5. The Shift in Perspective
The goal isn’t to erase the memory; it’s to remove the sting. By the end of a successful EMDR session, you’ll still remember the event, but the physical “pounding in your chest” or the voice saying “I’m not safe” will have faded, replaced by a neutral or even positive belief.
Ready to see how EMDR can change your perspective? Our team of specialists is here to guide you through every phase. Learn more about our approach to EMDR therapy in Denver or book a consultation today to see if it’s the right fit for you.
