EMDR Therapy

The Grove Resource Hub
Mar 14
3 min read

Updated: Apr 13

Understanding how it works—and how it helps

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the most well-researched therapies for trauma. It’s recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Australian Guidelines for PTSD Treatment, and other international mental health bodies.

But what exactly is EMDR? How does it work in the brain—and why is it so effective in helping people heal from trauma, anxiety, and distressing experiences?

What Happens to the Brain During Trauma?

When something overwhelming happens, the brain's threat response system—especially the amygdala—can go into overdrive. Rather than storing the event as a past memory, the brain can hold onto it in a raw, unprocessed form.

That’s why trauma can feel like it’s still happening, even years later. You might experience:

Flashbacks or vivid memories
Emotional overwhelm or panic
Physical symptoms like tension, nausea, or a racing heart

Three key parts of the brain are involved:

Amygdala – the brain’s alarm system. It becomes hyper-alert to threat.
Hippocampus – stores and organises memory. Trauma can disrupt this, leaving memories disorganised.
Prefrontal cortex – helps with emotional regulation and decision-making. Trauma can reduce access to this part, making it harder to stay calm or think clearly.

How EMDR Supports Recovery

EMDR helps the brain reprocess distressing experiences, so they can be stored as past events—not ongoing threats. The process activates your brain’s natural healing system, using bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds) to support integration.

It may sound unusual, but it’s been shown to change how the brain responds to trauma.

What EMDR does in the brain:

Reduces amygdala hyperactivity – calming the sense of ongoing danger
Supports memory integration – helping the hippocampus file the experience as “done”
Strengthens the prefrontal cortex – making it easier to regulate emotions and shift perspective

What Does the Research Say?

EMDR is one of the most researched trauma therapies. Studies consistently show:

Significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, often comparable to or faster than CBT (Chen et al., 2014)
Lasting results—improvements are often maintained long after therapy ends (Carlson et al., 1998)
Brain changes confirmed through imaging, including reduced amygdala activation and increased regulation from the prefrontal cortex (Pagani et al., 2012)
Effectiveness beyond PTSD, including anxiety, grief, chronic pain, and phobias (Hoge et al., 2021)

Why EMDR Feels Different

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require you to retell your story in detail. It works with your nervous system, rather than just your thoughts. That makes it especially helpful if:

Talking about the trauma feels overwhelming
You struggle to find words for what happened
You’ve tried other therapies but still feel stuck

Each person’s journey is unique—some memories process quickly, while others take more time. EMDR meets you where you are.

Who Can EMDR Help?

EMDR can support people with:

Single-incident trauma (accidents, assaults, medical events)
Complex trauma and childhood experiences
Attachment wounds or relational trauma
Anxiety, panic, and phobias
Grief, loss, and adjustment challenges
Burnout or compassion fatigue
Chronic pain or body-based distress
Low self-worth, shame, or stuckness

It’s also increasingly used to support neurodivergent clients, including those with ADHD or Autism, where trauma, stress, or emotional overload are present.

A Gentle, Adaptive Approach

EMDR doesn’t erase memories. Instead, it helps change the emotional charge they carry—so they feel more distant, less triggering, and more manageable.

Therapy is structured, paced with care, and always tailored to your needs. Whether you're navigating recent trauma or something long-held, EMDR can help restore a sense of calm, clarity, and self-trust.

Learn More or Get Started

If you're curious about EMDR or wondering if it might be right for you, you're welcome to reach out. Therapy always begins with understanding your goals, exploring what feels safe, and moving at a pace that works for you.