What Is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. It involves recalling distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues, to help the brain reprocess the trauma in a less distressing way. EMDR therapy helps reduce the emotional intensity of painful memories, allowing individuals to develop more adaptive thoughts and beliefs. Originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it has since been used to treat anxiety disorders, depression, childhood trauma, chronic pain, and medical trauma by altering the way traumatic experiences are stored in the brain.
While EMDR therapy is generally well-tolerated, some individuals may experience temporary side effects as they process difficult emotions. Common EMDR therapy side effects include increased emotional sensitivity, vivid dreams, temporary distress or anxiety, and fatigue after sessions. In some cases, individuals may uncover previously suppressed traumatic memories, which can be overwhelming but are addressed within the therapy process. These effects are typically short-term, and therapists provide support to help clients manage any discomfort or emotional distress. Over time, as reprocessing continues, most people experience a reduction in trauma-related symptoms and an overall improvement in emotional well-being.
To begin the healing process, it is important to seek out a compassionate and skilled therapist, such as those at Balanced Mind of New York. To learn more about how EMDR therapy works, contact us to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of EMDR Therapy?
Although Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can have potential side effects, they are generally temporary and manageable, particularly with the support of a skilled mental health professional. Some individuals may experience retraumatization, heightened emotions, distress, or anxiety as they process traumatic memories, especially in the early stages of therapy. Intense dreams, physical discomfort, depression, and temporary exhaustion or fatigue after therapy sessions are also common. This is sometimes called an “EMDR Hangover.”
In some cases, EMDR therapy may bring up forgotten traumatic memories, which can be emotionally taxing but are addressed within the therapeutic process. While these EMDR therapy side effects typically subside as therapy progresses, it is important for individuals undergoing EMDR therapy to have a supportive environment and work with a trained therapist to manage any emotional responses effectively.
Retraumatization
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can be very helpful for recovering from trauma, but it also has some risks for mental health. One notable concern is the possibility of retraumatization.
Retraumatization happens when you encounter reminders that make you feel like you are reliving your past traumas. In EMDR therapy sessions, when you reprocess traumatic memories, you might feel as if you’re going through that traumatic experience all over again. This can lead to emotional distress, flashbacks, feelings of anxiety or panic, and physical sensations, such as a racing heartbeat or sweating.
Intense Emotions and Emotional Sensitivity
Intense emotions and emotional sensitivity can manifest as unexpected waves of feelings during or after EMDR sessions. As the therapy accesses distressing memories stored in the brain, it can temporarily intensify emotions like sadness, anger, or fear that were previously suppressed. Some clients report feeling emotionally raw or having a lowered threshold for emotional reactions to everyday situations in the days following treatment. This heightened sensitivity is typically a sign that the brain is actively processing emotional memories and reorganizing traumatic material, much like how physical therapy initially causes discomfort before leading to improved functioning.
Headaches and other Physical Discomfort
Physical discomfort sometimes accompanies EMDR sessions as the body responds to the reprocessing of traumatic memories. Clients may experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, or muscle tension during or after therapy. Some report sensations of tingling, warmth, or heaviness in different parts of the body as somatic components of memories are accessed. These physical manifestations often reflect how trauma has been stored in the body and represent the physiological aspect of the brain’s reprocessing work, typically subsiding as the traumatic material is integrated.
Vivid Dreams
Vivid dreams often occur during courses of EMDR therapy as the brain continues processing distressing memories during sleep. Clients frequently report unusually detailed, emotionally charged, or symbolic dreams that may directly or indirectly relate to the traumatic experiences being addressed in therapy. These dreams, while sometimes disturbing, are generally considered a positive sign that the brain is actively engaging with and reorganizing traumatic memories. The increase in dream activity typically diminishes as processing progresses, with many clients eventually reporting more peaceful sleep patterns.
Fatigue
Another common side effect of EMDR therapy is fatigue due to the intensive neurological and emotional work being performed. The brain expends significant energy while reprocessing traumatic memories, often leaving clients feeling mentally and physically exhausted, similar to how one might feel after an intense workout or extended concentration on a difficult task. This tiredness can last from a few hours to a few days after a session, with clients typically needing more rest during active EMDR treatment phases. Therapists may recommend scheduling sessions when clients can rest afterward rather than immediately returning to demanding activities.
Dissociation
Dissociation may occur during or after EMDR therapy as a protective mechanism when processing particularly difficult traumatic material. Clients might experience feelings of detachment from their surroundings, emotional numbness, or a sense of being disconnected from their body. Some describe feeling as though they’re observing themselves from a distance or that the world seems slightly unreal.
While mild and temporary dissociation can be part of normal processing, therapists carefully monitor these responses and may slow down treatment or implement grounding techniques if dissociation becomes too intense, ensuring the client remains within their window of tolerance.
Self-Care Measures to Alleviate Side Effects of EMDR Therapy
Practicing self-care after EMDR therapy sessions is useful for managing these effects and promoting emotional balance. Engaging in physical self-care, soothing activities, and grounding techniques (such as deep breathing) can help individuals regulate their emotions and reduce stress. Additionally, seeking social support and allowing time for relaxation can aid in the healing process. By incorporating self-care strategies, EMDR patients can enhance their recovery, build resilience, and navigate their therapeutic journey with greater ease. Some self-care practices include:
Physical Self-Care
Prioritize adequate rest, stay hydrated, eat nourishing foods, and engage in gentle movement or stretching to support the body and release muscle tension.
Emotional Support
You may find it helpful to engage your emotional support system. Talk to a trusted friend or family member about feelings and experiences after sessions. Joining a reputable support group may also reduce the emotional impact of any residual EMDR therapy side effects.
Soothing Activities
Engaging in calming activities such as listening to music, taking a warm bath, or practicing creative expression. These coping strategies can help you feel relaxed while recovering from the intense emotional processing that is part of EMDR therapy.
Grounding Techniques
Engage in mindfulness, deep breathing, or progressive muscle relaxation to stay present and regulate emotions. You will have the opportunity to strengthen these types of coping skills as part of the EMDR therapeutic process.
How Does EMDR Differ From Other Therapies?
EMDR differs from traditional talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in its approach to treating trauma by directly targeting the brain’s information processing systems rather than focusing primarily on verbal exploration and insight. While talk therapy involves discussing traumatic events and their meanings over many sessions to gradually develop new perspectives, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, to activate the brain’s natural healing mechanisms, allowing traumatic memories to be processed and integrated more rapidly.
EMDR therapy follows a structured eight-phase protocol that includes identifying target memories, desensitizing emotional distress, and installing positive beliefs, with less emphasis on extended verbal processing or interpretation of the trauma narrative. The therapy is based on the Adaptive Information Processing model, which suggests that trauma creates dysfunctionally stored memories that can be “unstuck” and properly integrated through bilateral stimulation, potentially leading to significant symptom reduction in fewer sessions than traditional approaches.
Clients undergoing EMDR therapy often report that they process traumatic material without needing to discuss all the distressing details, experiencing physiological and emotional shifts that occur spontaneously rather than through cognitive insights or therapeutic interpretations. The net result is that EMDR helps reduce PTSD symptoms or other mental health concerns in an efficient and structured manner.
What Does Research Say About Using EMDR to Treat Traumatic Memories?
Extensive research, such as randomized controlled trials and systematic literature reviews, has evaluated EMDR therapy for treating PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), dissociative disorders, anxiety, and other complex trauma histories. EMDR therapy is supported by neuroscience and has shown to be an effective treatment for reducing PTSD symptoms, the emotional impact of traumatic memories, and the emotional distress related to other trauma responses.
Research studies have revealed that EMDR therapy is efficient and effective for trauma processing. It has also demonstrated that bilateral stimulation, often in the form of eye movements, is an effective component of a comprehensive treatment plan. Working with a knowledgeable and skilled therapist, such as the EMDR psychotherapists at Balanced Mind of New York, ensures that evidence-based practices are used to support your mental health care journey and recovery.
How Do I Pay for My EMDR Therapy?
At Balanced Mind of New York, we offer multiple payment options to fit your needs and budget.
In-Network Insurance Provider:
Balanced Mind is proud to be an in-network provider for clients covered by Aetna insurance plans.
Out-of-Network Insurance Provider:
For all other insurances, we provide superbills for reimbursement. We will contact your insurance company to confirm your eligibility and benefits, including the reimbursement rate for each session. We will also guide you through the process of sending superbills to your insurance.
If you have an out-of-network plan, any reimbursements will be sent directly to you from your insurance provider. Insurance typically reimburses 50-80% of the fee, but note that each policy is different.
Self-Payment Options:
If no insurance coverage is available, clients may choose to pay for services out of their own pocket. If you need to pay out of pocket, we offer a sliding scale as part of our commitment to providing affordable care.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and HSA/FSA cards.
Contact Us to Learn More About EMDR Therapy
To learn more about how EMDR can be used to treat your unique trauma history, please contact Balanced Mind of New York to schedule an appointment.
