Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy
- April Griffin
- Nov 5
- 5 min read
Many people come to Emotion Wise Counselling in Vancouver, BC having been recommended to try EMDR therapy by a friend who has said that EMDR has been a game changer in their healing journey from trauma.
However most people seeking EMDR have little idea what EMDR is or what it stands for ( it stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy).
I admit, before I trained in EMDR I knew next to nothing about EMDR- I knew it was an evidenced based therapy for PTSD but I had no idea how it worked- it was a complete mystery!
In this article I would like take time to answer common questions that people ask to demystify what EMDR is and how it is experienced by clients.
What is EMDR and how is it different from talk therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing(EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy developed to treat traumatic life events. This is done by bringing up a memory of the past while noticing what is coming up in your mind and body while at the same time engaging in a dual attention stimulus (eg. eye movements or tapping on your body). While doing this the memory is desensitized and a more adaptive understanding of yourself and the memory is developed and strengthened.
In regular talk therapy most time is spent discussing an issue or problem, whereas EMDR works by noticing somatic sensations and thoughts, with less focus on figuring things out by discussion or analysis.
In EMDR the therapist tries as much as possible to stay out of the way while you do your own processing, whereas in talk therapy the therapist often directs the discussion and asks thought-provoking questions to facilitate change.
What happens in an EMDR session?
EMDR therapy is a multi-session therapy- meaning each session may be different than another depending on which phase of the therapy you are in.
EMDR starts similar to other types of therapy in that the therapist is getting to know you and engages in assessment and history-taking. The Preparation phase involves teaching grounding techniques and visualizations which can be used at the beginning and end of sessions.
The processing phase involves identifying negative and positive beliefs and working on a specific memory. When processing you may have more intense feelings and body sensations come up, however each person’s experience is different.
Each session usually ends with debriefing and grounding strategies so that you have time to transition out of the session safely. In EMDR therapy it can be helpful to book longer sessions of time (eg. 90 minutes) to effectively process traumatic materials, without having to break it up into multiple sessions.
How long does EMDR therapy take to work?
Generally it is recommended a minimum of 6 sessions to do processing work. However it is normal that for healing to take place you may process multiple memories on a theme, which could take 20 weeks to a year or more depending on what preparation work is needed prior to doing processing and the extent of the trauma that someone has experienced.
How do I know if EMDR is right for me?
If you are struggling with distressing memories, flashbacks, anxiety, or unresolved trauma, EMDR can be very helpful to help you move forward in your life and get unstuck. Often people come to our EMDR therapist at Emotion Wise Counselling after trying years of talk therapy with little reduction in their anxiety or distress.
EMDR therapy may be a fit if you know you know in your head that the past trauma is over, but in your heart and gut you still feel the effects of the painful events you have experienced in your life. EMDR helps develop positive beliefs about yourself at a body level, not just a head level.
Can I do EMDR virtually?
Yes! There have been multiple studies to show that EMDR therapy can be just as effective done online as in person. Virtually you may follow a moving ball on a computer screen, or do self-tapping, whereas in-person you may follow a therapist’s hand to do eye movement, do self-tapping, or use therapeutic buzzers that you hold.
Whether you’re located in Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, or elsewhere in British Columbia, EMDR therapy can be done effectively online.
Choosing to do virtual or in-person therapy is based on client preference- you are welcome to choose to do either at Emotion Wise Counselling.
Can EMDR be used to treat other issues, such as anxiety?
Yes! EMDR can help with the pain and suffering of many types of adverse events and mental health issues that are causing you distress in your life. EMDR has research on its application on a broad range of issues, in addition to PTSD.
EMDR is versatile and may support healing for:
Anxiety and panic
Depression
Addictions
Somatoform and eating disorders
Mood disorders and stress reactions
Performance anxiety, pain, and sleep difficulties
Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?
No. EMDR can be effective without sharing details of the memory you would like to process- this is called the “Silent Protocol” or “Blind to Therapist Protocol”. Instead of telling the details and the story you may share one word or an image.
Sharing detail of a traumatic event is certainly common and may also be therapeutic however it is the choice of the client doing EMDR therapy in deciding how much detail they would like to share.
What if I don’t remember everything about my trauma?
Many people do not remember all the details of what happened to them in their childhood or from traumatic events or find it is difficult to find specific memories of distressing events, especially when something happened every day for many years.
EMDR works with what you do remember and feel, including body sensations or emotions. The brain can process as long as there’s emotional and body sensations to work with.
After I do EMDR will I forget what has happened to me?
No, you do not forget the memories you have processed, but after EMDR you may no longer have re-experiencing symptoms such as flashbacks and nightmares. The memory will feel as if it is in the past and not like it is being constantly re-experienced like it just happened yesterday.
Most people share that after doing EMDR the memory feels like it has been filed away, and is no longer popping up uninvited into your day to day life.
Are there any risks in doing EMDR?
Yes, you may feel emotions and body sensations about the event more strongly. You may also feel tired, or drained after an EMDR therapy session and may experience thoughts and dreams about the content- this typically lasts a few days.
Those who have high levels of dissociation, experience psychosis or other significant mental health issues may need to be assessed for their readiness to do EMDR, and may require working with an EMDR therapist with specialized training in these issues. EMDR should always be provided by a EMDR trained clinician who can assess readiness and pacing.
How can I book an appointment with an EMDR therapist in Vancouver?
If you’re ready to explore EMDR therapy, our team at Emotion Wise Counselling in Vancouver, BC is here to support you.
We offer both in-person and virtual EMDR sessions, tailored to your needs and schedule.
Or complete our contact form to connect with a therapist who is the right fit for you.
Emotion Wise Counselling is a counselling practice based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada that specializes in treating trauma and emotion regulation issues. Their team of therapists have specialized training in EMDR and DBT and enjoy working with people from all walks of life.
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