Trauma can linger in the body and mind long after the original event has passed. For many people, traditional talk therapy isn’t enough to fully process these experiences.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy offers a different path—a structured, research-backed approach that helps rewire how traumatic memories are stored in the brain.
At The Psyched Group, we provide trauma-focused care to help clients move beyond survival and begin truly healing.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy developed to help people recover from trauma, PTSD, and other distressing life experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require clients to describe traumatic events in detail. Instead, it focuses on identifying key memories and beliefs, then using bilateral stimulation (often in the form of eye movements, tapping, or sounds) to help the brain reprocess those experiences.
The goal is to shift how traumatic memories are stored—reducing their emotional charge and allowing the person to feel safer and more empowered in the present.
How Trauma Affects the Brain and Body
Trauma isn’t just a memory—it’s an experience that can disrupt how the brain processes information. For many people, trauma is stored in the nervous system and can be re-triggered by seemingly unrelated situations. This can lead to symptoms like:
- Hypervigilance or chronic anxiety
- Emotional numbness
- Nightmares or flashbacks
- Trouble concentrating
- Feelings of shame, fear, or hopelessness
EMDR therapy works by helping the brain and body “unstick” from these patterns. It encourages the integration of past events in a way that reduces emotional reactivity and supports a greater sense of safety and control.
What to Expect in an EMDR Session
EMDR therapy typically follows an eight-phase model. In the beginning, your therapist will work with you to understand your history, build emotional resources, and identify target memories to address. When you’re ready, you’ll begin reprocessing specific memories using bilateral stimulation.
Sessions may include:
- Identifying core negative beliefs (like “I’m not safe” or “It’s my fault”)
- Processing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation
- Noticing body sensations, emotions, and thoughts as they shift
- Replacing old beliefs with new, more adaptive ones
While EMDR can be emotionally intense at times, your therapist will guide you through the process at a pace that feels safe and manageable.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is widely recognized as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD, but it can also be helpful for people dealing with:
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- Sexual assault
- Medical trauma
- Grief and complicated loss
- Anxiety, panic, or phobias
- Low self-worth or chronic shame
It’s also a powerful option for people who feel stuck in therapy or who struggle to verbalize what happened to them. EMDR doesn’t require you to explain everything—it allows your body and brain to do much of the healing work.
EMDR as Part of Holistic Trauma Recovery
EMDR therapy is often used alongside other trauma-informed approaches like somatic therapy, mindfulness, or talk-based counseling. We recognize that trauma impacts every layer of a person’s life—body, mind, relationships—and healing requires more than one tool.
EMDR can be especially supportive when combined with other therapies focused on nervous system regulation, identity reconstruction, and rebuilding trust and safety. Whether you’re working through a recent event or trauma from years ago, EMDR provides a bridge between your past pain and your present healing.
Reclaiming Peace After Trauma
Healing from trauma is not about forgetting the past—it’s about reclaiming your ability to feel grounded, whole, and safe in the present. EMDR therapy can help untangle the emotional knots that trauma creates and give you the space to move forward with greater ease and self-trust.
The Psyched Group offers trauma-focused therapy both in-person at our East Bridgewater and Middleborough offices and through secure telehealth across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Learn more about our trauma-focused approach and how we support trauma recovery in a way that’s compassionate and empowering.
Ready to begin? Search our therapist directory to find a provider who’s a fit for you.
