About EMDR
If you’ve spent years talking about something painful and it still hits the same way, still feels present, still hijacks you at unexpected moments, EMDR may be worth understanding.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapy designed to change how the brain holds distressing memories. When trauma or overwhelming experiences occur, the brain sometimes stores them in a fragmented, unprocessed state. That’s why a smell, a sound, or a particular look on someone’s face can send the nervous system into high alert, even in objectively safe situations. It isn’t an overreaction. It’s a nervous system following old instructions.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, typically guided eye movements, taps, or tones, while a client briefly brings a target memory into focus. The process activates the brain’s natural memory processing, allowing distressing material to lose its charge. The memory doesn’t disappear. It just stops running the show.
EMDR is one of Morningside’s flagship specialties. Our therapists in Salt Lake City, Holladay, and Millcreek are trained in EMDR and use it with clients working through trauma, PTSD, anxiety, grief, and more. We also offer virtual EMDR across Utah for clients who can’t access in-person sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EMDR just moving your eyes back and forth? How does that actually do anything?
The eye movements are a tool, not the whole therapy. The working theory is that bilateral stimulation mimics what the brain does during REM sleep, when it naturally consolidates and processes the day’s experiences. When that’s activated while a person briefly focuses on a distressing memory, it seems to allow the brain to reprocess the material — reducing its emotional charge. It’s not a new or fringe idea: EMDR is recognized by the WHO, the VA, and the American Psychological Association as an effective trauma treatment.
Do I have to describe what happened in detail?
No — and for a lot of people, that’s the most significant aspect of EMDR. Unlike traditional talk therapy, you don’t have to narrate or explain a traumatic experience for processing to happen. Much of the work is internal, guided by your therapist. You share what feels right when it feels right. Some people come to EMDR specifically because they haven’t been able to talk about what happened.
What does a session actually feel like?
Different from most therapies people have tried. You’ll work with your therapist to identify a target, a specific memory, image, or belief connected to what you’re processing. During the bilateral stimulation, you briefly bring that to mind and notice what comes up: images, emotions, body sensations, thoughts. Your therapist follows where the processing goes. You can pause or stop at any time. Many clients describe leaving sessions feeling a noticeable distance from material that had previously felt all-consuming, though some sessions also surface unexpected insights.
Can EMDR help with anxiety, or is it specifically for PTSD?
EMDR started with PTSD, but the application has expanded considerably. Therapists now use EMDR for anxiety, phobias, panic, grief, depression, chronic pain, and more, particularly when those experiences trace back to earlier distressing events. If you’re carrying anxiety that feels out of proportion to your current circumstances, there’s often older material underneath it. That’s what EMDR addresses.
Do you offer virtual EMDR?
Yes. Our therapists provide virtual EMDR sessions via secure telehealth for clients throughout Utah. The bilateral stimulation component is adapted for video sessions, and the research supports its effectiveness in this format. We’ll walk you through exactly how it works before your first session.
