With various types of therapies used for treating complex trauma, EMDR has recently risen in popularity and for good reason! EMDR’s simple way of assessing and healing trauma has made many individuals interested in learning more about the process. Some wonder about the length period, while others want to know, what does EMDR feel like? Is it painful, or is it emotionally overwhelming? Let’s find out together!

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What Does EMDR Feel Like?

Generally, it is common to feel a bit dizzy and lightheaded. Some even feel the passing of an electrical crawling sensation and goosebumps, and very few have reported a vibrating sensation in their chest.

Going session by session, what to expect after the first EMDR session? At the beginning of the therapy, it’s normal to notice new memories and details resurface, feel more emotional or notice physical sensations in your body after a few sessions. This is part of the process as your brain begins to reprocess the traumatic experience in a new way.

As you advance with the therapy session, some feel a lump in their chest from the vividness of the imagery and the details of their repressed emotions. The healing process happens gradually, with emotional shifts becoming more apparent over time.

What does EMDR therapy feel like by the very end? You should notice positive changes in how you perceive and feel about the situation. The therapy creates a space where the mind reorganizes how it processes trauma, leading to reduced negative emotions and physical tension related to those memories.

The process involves focusing on a traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, and auditory tones. Our EMDR therapy tappers for instance, utilized by mental health professionals, provide gentle, rhythmic vibrations to help patients. This dual attention framework helps reduce the distress intensity linked to memory.

How do you feel during EMDR?

Throughout the process, you are awake, alert and in control of everything that surrounds you. You don’t enter into a trance state, and the changes that occur are the result of your own natural brain functions. During each session, you may experience waves of emotions that you’ve spent years pushing down, trying to forget. From anxiousness and sadness to intense anger and, lastly, relief, once you start with EMDR, expect to enter into a rollercoaster of emotions.

How Long Does an EMDR Therapy Session Last?

A typical EMDR therapy session lasts 60 to 90 minutes, and consists of 6 to 12 sessions, depending on the individual's necessary time to process a traumatic experience.

Each session is structured into specific phases, including preparation, memory targeting, and desensitization.

The therapist may adjust the session’s length based on your tolerance and the complexity of the trauma. For example, those dealing with complex trauma may need more time during each session to process deeply rooted emotional pain.

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Conclusion

If you plan on doing EMDR, it’s best to consult with a professional and mental health therapist to discuss expectations and potential experiences with your therapist. They’ll be sure to make the therapy as comfortable and effective as possible.

Being fully aware of what does EMDR feel like with all the emotions you may experience, we can say that despite the wide range of emotions, EMDR is indeed an effective method for finding relief from painful memories. By reprocessing these experiences, individuals often gain a renewed perspective, reducing the emotional charge associated with trauma.