🌊 “Is This Going to Be Weird?” — Demystifying EMDR Therapy

By Laura Castro, LCSW

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard this question:“So… EMDR? That eye movement thing? Is this going to be weird?”

I get it. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) can sound like a therapy trend or a gimmick if you’ve never experienced it. But here’s the truth: EMDR is one of the most deeply effective tools I’ve ever used to help people heal from experiences that keep echoing in the background of their lives.

So let’s break it down—no jargon, no mysticism. Just the real deal: what EMDR actually is, how it works, and why it might be the thing that helps you breathe easier again.

🧠 Your Brain’s Emergency Drawer

Let me offer a metaphor.

Imagine your brain as a giant filing cabinet. Every time something happens to you, your brain sorts it and files it away. Most experiences go into neat little folders: Tuesday meeting, coffee with a friend, embarrassed but moved on.

But then there are the ones that don’t get filed—because they were too overwhelming, too fast, too much. Instead, they get shoved into a messy drawer labeled DO NOT OPEN.

Here’s the problem: that drawer doesn’t stay closed. The feelings leak. They show up as anxiety, shutdowns, emotional overreactions, trouble sleeping, or that quiet voice that says “you’re not safe” or “you’re not good enough.”

EMDR is how we gently open that drawer, take out one folder at a time, and help your brain finally file it properly—so it doesn’t have to keep interrupting your present life.

👀 But Why Eye Movements?

Yes, there are eye movements. Or tapping. Or gentle tones in headphones. That part is called bilateral stimulation—and while it’s not magic, it is based on real neuroscience.

Think of it like this: while your mind recalls the old memory, the bilateral movements help your brain stay connected to the present. You’re reprocessing the past, but you’re grounded in the now. This lets your nervous system do what it couldn’t do at the time of the event: fully process it and let it go.

The result? The memory loses its grip. You remember it, but it no longer feels like it’s still happening. You’re no longer emotionally hijacked by something old.

🛠️ What EMDR Is Not

Let’s clear up a few myths I often hear:

• ❌ You don’t have to relive every detail. You choose how much you share. Sometimes, you don’t even have to speak the memory aloud.

• ❌ It’s not hypnosis. You stay aware, grounded, and in control the whole time.

• ❌ It’s not just for “big T” trauma. EMDR works for perfectionism, self-doubt, toxic relationships, grief, and burnout too.

I’ve seen clients go from emotional paralysis to clarity. From constant tension to relief. Not because they forgot the past—but because it no longer owns them.

🧭 What to Expect in a Session

Here’s what working together might look like:

1. Building safety — We start with trust, not trauma. I’ll teach you grounding tools before we ever touch hard stuff.

2. Identifying the target — Together, we choose a memory, belief, or emotional pattern that feels “stuck.”

3. The EMDR processing — I’ll guide you with gentle cues (eye movements, taps, or sounds) while you observe your thoughts and body sensations.

4. Letting the brain do its thing — You may feel emotions move, body tension release, or gain new insight. I’ll support you every step of the way.

5. Integration — We reflect, ground, and notice what feels different. Often, something shifts internally—and stays shifted.

   
   

👂 You’re Still the One in Charge

EMDR isn’t something I do to you. It’s something we do together, with you leading the pace. My role is to hold space, keep you grounded, and help your brain process what it’s been carrying for too long.

And if you're not ready? That's okay too. I always start with your readiness—not the protocol.

💬 “Could EMDR Help Me?”

Maybe. If you’re someone who:

• Feels like talk therapy helped... but only up to a point

• Struggles with triggers, anxiety, or old beliefs that won’t budge

• Has experienced burnout, medical or work stress, or relational trauma

• Wants healing to feel embodied—not just understood. Then yes, EMDR might be the tool that helps.

  
  

🌱 In Closing

EMDR is not a silver bullet. But it is powerful. It’s helped my clients grieve, recover, and reconnect with who they were before the wound—and sometimes, with someone even stronger.

If you’re curious, let’s talk. I offer free consultations to answer your questions and see if EMDR fits your needs. No pressure, no push.

[→ Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation]

You don’t have to stay stuck in the past. Let’s help your brain catch up to the safety of your present.