What Is EMDR Therapy and How Can It Help You Heal from Trauma?

At Stenzel Clinical, we see trauma in many forms car accidents, loss, abuse, medical emergencies, or long periods of stress. Trauma can stay with you long after the event is over. That's where EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) comes in. EMDR is a structured, research-backed therapy that helps your brain process painful memories, so they stop controlling your life.

What exactly is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s and has grown into a trusted therapy for trauma and PTSD. Instead of only talking through the memory, EMDR helps your brain reprocess the memory so it becomes less vivid and less emotionally charged. Over time, that memory shifts from something that triggers intense fear or pain to something you can think about without being overwhelmed.

How does EMDR work?

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation most often side-to-side eye movements, but sometimes tapping or alternating sounds while you focus briefly on a distressing memory. This dual attention (thinking about the memory while receiving bilateral stimulation) appears to help your brain reorganize how the memory is stored. Many clinicians explain it as helping your brain finish the job of processing the event, the same way your body heals after a physical wound. The therapy follows a clear, eight-phase approach to keep you safe and supported throughout the process.

What are the eight phases (in plain language)?

1. History & Planning: We learn your story and decide what to target first.
2. Preparation: We build skills you can use if you feel upset during or after sessions.
3. Assessment: We identify the specific memory, negative belief, and a positive belief you'd like instead.
4. Desensitization: We use bilateral stimulation while you hold the memory in mind and notice what changes.
5. Installation: We strengthen the positive belief (for example, "I am safe now") so it feels true.
6. Body Scan: We check for tension in your body and process it if needed.
7. Closure: We help you return to calm and teach coping strategies if the processing is incomplete.
8. Reevaluation: At the start of the next session, we see what changed and plan the next steps.

This step-by-step map helps make EMDR predictable and safe.

Who can EMDR help?

EMDR is best known for treating PTSD, but it's also helpful for anxiety, depression, panic, complicated grief, certain phobias, and struggles that come from painful life experiences. People who find it hard to talk about their trauma sometimes do especially well with EMDR because it doesn't rely only on detailed verbal retelling. Still, EMDR is not a one-size-fits-all cure and works best when you and your therapist agree it's the right fit.

What does the research say?

Research shows EMDR is an effective, evidence-based therapy for trauma and PTSD. Large organizations including government and professional bodies recognize EMDR as a recommended treatment for trauma-related disorders. Clinical studies and reviews have found that many people experience significant symptom relief after EMDR, sometimes in far fewer sessions than long-term talk therapy. That said, individual results vary, and EMDR is most effective when delivered by trained clinicians using standard protocols.

What should you expect in a session with us?

At Stenzel Clinical, safety and pacing are our top priorities. Your first visits will focus on history and preparation. We teach grounding and emotional-regulation skills, so you feel secure while processing. When we begin bilateral stimulation, you will be asked to hold a memory in mind and notice what comes up images, thoughts, body sensations. We'll run short sets of stimulation, check in, and let your system rest as needed. Sessions usually last about 50–90 minutes depending on the focus for the day. We tailor pace and technique to your needs and comfort level.

Is EMDR intense or risky?

EMDR can bring up strong feelings that's part of working with real trauma. A skilled therapist helps you manage those feelings and never pushes you beyond what you can handle. For people with unstable mental health or serious dissociation, extra care and preparation are needed. Side effects can include temporary increases in emotion or vivid dreams, but these generally settle with proper support. We always prioritize stabilization before moving into deep processing.

How many sessions will I need?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Some single-event traumas respond in a handful of sessions. Complex, long-standing trauma or multiple traumatic events may take more time. EMDR often speeds up recovery compared with longer-term talk therapy, but the right number of sessions depends on your history, goals, and how you respond in treatment. We'll review progress regularly and adjust the plan together.

Why choose Stenzel Clinical for EMDR?

We bring experience, compassion, and a clear structure to trauma treatment. Our clinicians are trained in trauma-focused therapies, and we offer both in-person and online sessions in several Chicagoland locations. We focus on meeting you where you are, building safety skills, and using EMDR with the care and pacing trauma healing requires. If you're nervous about EMDR, we'll start with preparation and move forward only when you feel ready.

Common questions we hear

Will EMDR make me forget? No. EMDR doesn't erase memories. It helps your brain store the memory differently, so it no longer triggers overwhelming emotions.

Is EMDR the same as hypnosis? No. You stay fully aware and in control during EMDR.

Can I do EMDR online? Yes, many of our clients have effective EMDR sessions via telehealth when done by experienced clinicians who adapt bilateral stimulation appropriately.

Next steps: How to get started

If you're reading this and thinking EMDR might help, the best step is a brief consultation. We'll listen to your story, review your goals, and discuss whether EMDR is an appropriate and safe option for you. If it is, we'll map a plan that begins with safety and skills, then moves into processing when you're ready. Healing from trauma is possible and you don't have to do it alone.

If you want to talk with a clinician trained in EMDR or learn more about how EMDR could fit into your recovery, contact Stenzel Clinical. We're here to help you find steadiness, safety, and a path forward.