what is emdr and how does it help with anxiety?
If you're struggling with anxiety, past trauma, or feeling stuck in patterns that just won't seem to shift, you might have come across the term EMDR therapy in your search for support. But what is EMDR, and how can it help you feel better?
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. That might sound like a mouthful, but at its core, EMDR is a powerful and effective therapy that helps people heal from distressing life experiences. It was originally developed to treat PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), but over time, therapists like me have discovered that it can also help with anxiety, low self-esteem, and other emotional struggles.
I like to think of your brain like a filing cabinet. When something overwhelming or traumatic happens, your brain might not be able to file that memory away properly. Instead, it gets stuck—like an open folder that's always in your line of sight. EMDR helps your brain reprocess those memories, so they can finally be filed away safely. This means you won't have to keep reliving the emotions, sensations, or negative beliefs connected to those memories.
How Does EMDR Work?
In our EMDR sessions, we'll work together in a safe, supportive space. We'll start by identifying a memory, thought, or feeling that feels stuck or distressing. Then, using something called bilateral stimulation (like following my finger back and forth with your eyes or listening to alternating tones in each ear), your brain gets a chance to process the memory in a new way. If you’re not able to access distressing memories, we can work with sensations in your body instead.
This might sound simple, but it can be incredibly powerful. Over time, many of my clients notice that the memory becomes less intense, and the thoughts or beliefs tied to it start to shift. Feelings of inadequacy or shame become, “That shame is not mine to carry.”
How EMDR Can Help with Anxiety
Anxiety often feels like a storm of racing thoughts, physical tension, and a sense of being on edge. It can show up in your relationships, your work, or even when you're trying to relax. For many women, anxiety isn’t just about the present—it’s tied to past experiences, fears of failure, or a deep sense of not being enough. This might sound like a whisper always in the back of your mind, or a feeling that says, “I am broken,” “I am inadequate,” or, “I am not lovable as I am.”
EMDR works with your brain to address the root causes of anxiety, not just the symptoms. Instead of just managing the anxious thoughts or sensations, EMDR helps uncover and reprocess the experiences or beliefs that might be fueling your anxiety.
Many of my clients find that after EMDR, their anxiety feels quieter and more manageable. They report feeling calmer, more present, and better able to trust themselves in moments of stress. EMDR can be a helpful tool when you feel stuck in your growth or caught in a repetitive loop, even when you have all the information.
Why EMDR is Especially Helpful for Women's Mental Health
As women, we often carry not only our own personal traumas but also societal pressures, cultural expectations, and generational patterns of anxiety and self-doubt. These layers can make it hard to pinpoint where certain feelings are coming from or why anxiety seems to show up in unexpected ways.
One thing I love about EMDR is that it doesn't require you to retell every detail of your story. Instead, it focuses on helping your brain process what's been stuck so you can move forward with more freedom and ease. Many of my clients find EMDR empowering because it allows them to trust their own healing process without having to explain or justify every step.
When Talk Therapy Hasn't Been Enough
Sometimes, traditional talk therapy can only take us so far. You might have spent hours in therapy discussing your struggles, gaining insight, and developing coping skills, but still feel like something isn’t fully resolved. That’s because trauma and deeply held patterns often live in parts of the brain that aren’t easily accessed through words alone.
This is where EMDR shines. It goes beyond talking and taps into your brain’s natural ability to heal on a deeper, more integrated level. Many of my clients who felt stuck in their progress with talk therapy have found EMDR to be the missing piece they needed to finally experience relief and lasting change.
Is EMDR Right for You?
If you're tired of feeling weighed down by anxiety, stuck in old patterns, or haunted by memories that won't fade, EMDR might be a good fit for you. It's a gentle yet effective approach that meets you where you are—without forcing or rushing the process.
As a trauma-informed, attachment-focused therapist, my goal is to create a space where you feel safe, seen, and supported as we explore EMDR therapy together. My hope is that you leave each session feeling more grounded, confident, and connected to yourself.
Next Steps
If you're curious about EMDR therapy and how it might help you, I'd love to connect. I offer online counseling for women struggling with anxiety and trauma in Bend, Oregon and Portland, Oregon.
Healing is possible, and you don't have to do it alone.