Some difficult experiences stay with you. EMDR helps your brain finally process and release them.
If painful memories keep resurfacing, if certain situations trigger reactions far bigger than they should, or if you feel like part of you is still bracing for something that already happened, you are not imagining it. Sometimes painful experiences continue to activate the mind and body in ways that talking alone does not fully resolve. EMDR was built for exactly this.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-researched, evidence-based therapy recognized by major health organizations for treating trauma and a range of related concerns. It helps your brain reprocess difficult memories so they lose their intensity, often without needing to talk through the details of what happened.
How EMDR works
When something overwhelming happens, the brain may struggle to fully process the experience at the time. Instead, aspects of the memory, including images, emotions, body sensations, and beliefs about oneself, can continue to feel emotionally present long after the event is over. That is why a sound, smell, or passing reminder can sometimes trigger an intense emotional or physical response.
EMDR uses structured bilateral stimulation, often guided eye movements, to help the brain reprocess difficult experiences so they feel less emotionally overwhelming and more integrated into the larger story of your life.
Clients often describe the result as the memory still being there, but no longer carrying the same emotional charge. You can find a more complete explanation in our blog on the benefits of EMDR. The work is always paced carefully, with safety and stability first, so you stay grounded throughout.
What EMDR can help with
- Post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and complex trauma
- Single-incident trauma such as an accident, assault, or loss
- Childhood experiences and attachment wounds
- Anxiety and panic
- Painful or intrusive memories that will not settle
- Negative beliefs about yourself rooted in past experiences
EMDR is frequently part of broader trauma and PTSD therapy, and it pairs well with other approaches like somatic work and CBT.
What to expect
Your path through EMDR is collaborative and never rushed:
- Preparation. You and your therapist build trust, map out your history, and develop grounding skills before any reprocessing begins.
- Reprocessing. Using bilateral stimulation, you revisit target memories in a contained, supported way as their intensity decreases.
- Integration. You strengthen new, healthier beliefs and notice the shifts showing up in everyday life.
Our EMDR-trained clinicians
Nashville Psych has real depth here. Several of our therapists are trained in EMDR, including Lyndsay Wilson, Natalie Cox, Helen Tarleton, and Olivia Blakey, whose training is in Somatic Attachment-Based EMDR. Our clinicians work from different but complementary styles, allowing us to match you with someone whose approach fits your needs and comfort level.
You can heal from what happened
Trauma may be part of your story, but it does not have to determine your future. EMDR offers a way through, so the past stops dictating the present.
Call us at (615) 582-2882, email clientcare@nashvillepsych.com or contact us here to get started. We’ll match you with an EMDR-trained therapist who fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to talk about the details of my trauma in EMDR?
No. This is one reason many people choose EMDR. While some discussion of your history is part of preparation, the reprocessing itself does not require you to narrate every detail outloud. This can make EMDR feel more tolerable than approaches that rely heavily on retelling.
Is EMDR evidence-based?
Yes. EMDR is supported by a substantial body of research and is recognized by major health organizations as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD. It has also shown benefit for anxiety and other concerns connected to distressing experiences.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the nature of your concerns. A single recent incident may resolve relatively quickly, while complex or long-standing trauma takes more time. Your therapist will discuss a realistic plan with you and adjust as you go.
Is EMDR safe? Will it be overwhelming?
EMDR is designed with safety at its core. Your therapist spends meaningful time on preparation and grounding skills before any reprocessing, and the work is paced so you stay within a manageable window. You remain in control throughout.
Can EMDR be done online?
In many cases, yes. EMDR can be adapted effectively for telehealth. Your therapist can tell you whether online EMDR is a good fit for your situation.
How do I get started?
Call us at (615) 582-2882, email clientcare@nashvillepsych.com or contact us here to get started. We’ll match you with an EMDR-trained therapist who fits your needs.
