Healing Trauma with EMDR Therapy: How It Works & What to Expect

Unresolved trauma can keep your nervous system stuck in survival mode, making it hard to feel secure, connected, or at ease. EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a research-backed approach that helps process distressing experiences so they no longer overwhelm you. As a trauma therapist specializing in EMDR therapy for trauma and anxiety, I work with clients across North Carolina through online therapy to create real, lasting change.

Understanding Trauma

Trauma isn’t just about major life-threatening events like accidents or violence. It’s any experience that overwhelms your ability to cope, leaving you feeling unsafe or unsupported. Some forms of trauma are more obvious, while others are deeply woven into personal history. You may have experienced:

• Growing up with emotionally unavailable or unpredictable parents

• Betrayal trauma from broken trust in relationships

• Loss and grief that still feels unresolved

• Toxic family dynamics or narcissistic abuse

• Chronic illness or medical trauma

• Emotional or psychological abuse in romantic relationships

• Suppressing your true self out of fear of rejection

• Religious or spiritual trauma

• Bullying or discrimination

• Feeling unseen or unsupported in your community

When trauma is ongoing—especially in childhood—it can be difficult to recognize its effects. Yet, unprocessed trauma can shape your emotions, relationships, and self-perception in ways that may look like:

• Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from your own feelings

• Persistent anxiety or hypervigilance

• Perfectionism and fear of failure

• Self-doubt and difficulty trusting yourself

• Avoidance of vulnerability, even with loved ones

• A deep fear of being unworthy or unlovable

How EMDR Supports Trauma Healing

When you experience trauma, your brain learns to rely on survival responses—fight, flight, freeze, or fawn—whenever fear or insecurity arises. Instead of fully processing past experiences, your nervous system remains on high alert, reacting to stress in ways that once helped you cope. EMDR therapy supports your brain in reprocessing painful memories, so they lose their emotional intensity and no longer have the same hold over you.

What to Expect in an EMDR Session

During EMDR, we’ll focus on a distressing memory or belief while using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds) to engage both sides of the brain. As this happens, painful emotions and negative beliefs begin to shift, allowing new, more compassionate perspectives to emerge. For example:

• A belief like “I always mess up” may soften into “I did the best I could with what I knew.”

• The feeling of “I’m unlovable” may shift to “I am worthy of connection and care.”

Many clients find these insights come naturally during EMDR. Instead of forcing positive thoughts, your brain organically integrates new, healthier perspectives that feel true and deeply meaningful.

Preparing for EMDR Therapy

Because EMDR can bring up deep emotional material, preparation is key. We’ll work together on grounding techniques to stabilize your nervous system so reprocessing is manageable and empowering. Simple body-based tools—like grounding, deep breathing, sensory awareness, or visualization—can help regulate emotions before and after sessions.

What Happens After an EMDR Session?

It’s normal to experience shifts in thoughts, emotions, and even dreams after EMDR. Some common reactions include:

• Feeling tired as your brain integrates new emotional processing

• Unusual or vivid dreams 

• Emotional sensitivity that lasts a few hours to a few days

• A sense of clarity, relief, or newfound self-compassion

These shifts mean your brain is actively working through past pain. I ensure every session ends with grounding and stability so you can leave feeling supported.

Online EMDR Therapy in North Carolina

EMDR is most effective when combined with a comprehensive trauma therapy approach. Along with EMDR, I incorporate somatic techniques, nervous system regulation, and self-exploration to help you build deep, sustainable change. My goal is to help you trust yourself, build emotional resilience, and reclaim your sense of agency in life.

Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy

• What conditions can EMDR help with? EMDR is effective for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, childhood trauma, and emotional dysregulation. It can also support recovery from narcissistic abuse, attachment wounds, and chronic stress.

• How many EMDR sessions do I need? The number of sessions varies based on individual needs. Some people notice changes within a few sessions, while deeper trauma work may take longer. We’ll assess progress along the way.

• Can EMDR be done online? Yes! Online EMDR therapy is highly effective and allows you to process trauma from the comfort of your own space. I use live video sessions to guide you through the process.

• Will I have to relive my trauma? No.  EMDR does not require you to relive every detail of a traumatic event. Instead, we focus on reprocessing distressing memories so they no longer feel overwhelming.

• How do I know if EMDR is right for me? If past experiences are affecting your daily life, relationships, or sense of self-worth, EMDR may be a powerful tool for healing. A consultation can help determine if it’s a good fit.

Ready to Begin?

I work with individuals who identify as cycle breakers—those committed to ending patterns of trauma, dysfunction, and childhood emotional neglect. Breaking these cycles takes intentional support, especially when childhood trauma shaped your sense of self and relationships. Trauma therapy for cycle breakers provides a space to uncover and heal emotional wounds, develop self-trust, and create meaningful change. Click here to learn more about how therapy can support your growth.

If you’re ready to shift how past experiences shape your present, EMDR therapy can be a powerful step forward. I provide online trauma therapy across North Carolina, including Asheville, Raleigh, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Greensboro. Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to ask questions, explore whether we’re a good fit, and take the next step toward creating the life you want.