What To Expect After EMDR

If you’re considering Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), it makes sense to wonder what to expect. You've probably heard great things. And the research backs this up: EMDR is effective for treating PTSD and is a potent trauma therapy. But it's also a weird modality. Side-to-side stimulation helps process trauma? What the heck should you expect? Let's explore what to expect after an EMDR therapy session and provide guidance on what to do with these experiences.

What To Expect After EMDR Therapy Trauma Processing

EMDR therapy is an eight stage process. The phases that get all the attention are the phases with bilateral stimulation. We want to be clear not all EMDR therapy sessions involve bilateral stimulation. Some might look similar to regular talk therapy. In fact, if you don't have at least a few sessions of talking and preparation, we'd be concerned you're not getting thorough care.

In this article, we're going to focus on what to expect after a processing session using bilateral stimulation.

Feeling Tired After EMDR Therapy

It's normal to feel drained after EMDR therapy sessions. The process of revisiting and processing traumatic memories can be exhausting. Your brain is also building new, positive neural connections. That takes a lot of energy. If you feel totally wiped, that's normal.

Rest is Part of the Healing

Allow yourself the gift of rest. Your body and mind need time to recuperate. Prioritize self-care, get plenty of sleep, and engage in activities that help you relax. It might be a good idea to schedule your EMDR therapy sessions at the end of your day or on a day you don't need to be fully "on" afterwards if you can.

Feeling Confused Or Unsure If EMDR Worked

Post-EMDR therapy, you may experience moments of confusion or uncertainty. You might wonder if EMDR therapy actually worked. In many cases, it might take time to see EMDR's effectiveness. This is particularly true if successful EMDR therapy means the absence of something. For example, if you do EMDR to process a sexual trauma, you might not know if your triggers are still in place until a later date. Changes often unfold gradually, and you may notice improvements as time goes on.

If You’re Unsure After Months of EMDR Therapy

If you've been doing EMDR therapy for a while and are experiencing a lot of doubt, check out this article on 10 Reasons EMDR Doesn't Work. There are some things you and your EMDR therapist can do to make EMDR therapy more effective.

Feeling Nothing Or Feeling Numb After EMDR Therapy

Some people report feeling emotionally numb or disconnected after EMDR therapy. This can be a temporary response as your mind copes with the intense emotions stirred up during EMDR therapy. Emotions don't always follow a linear path; they ebb and flow. Be patient with yourself and allow your emotions to return naturally.

The Impact of Dissociation on EMDR Therapy

It's also possible that you're experiencing dissociation. Dissociation is our brain's natural defense against feeling things that are too intense. Dissociation, while adaptive, can get in the way of effective processing. If you're feeling dissociated or checked out during session, it's very important to tell your therapist. A skilled EMDR therapist will help you find ways to stay present so you can process effectively.

Feeling Worse After EMDR Therapy

Unfortunately, we do sometimes hear of people who feel worse after EMDR therapy. This can be for a number of reasons, but the most common one is that your EMDR therapist didn’t spend enough time properly resourcing you. Resourcing is phase two of the eight phase EMDR process. Unfortunately, too many EMDR therapists rush through it to get to the trauma processing phases.

Resourcing is a critical phase of EMDR therapy to help you connect to feelings of safety, support, and groundedness. This looks different for everyone. It’s one of many reasons EMDR therapy can’t be done on your own. Some people need a session or two of resourcing, while others need months of resourcing to help them tolerate the intense emotions and discomfort of trauma processing.

Another possible reason you feel worse after EMDR therapy is that there wasn’t time to complete processing a memory and your EMDR therapist didn’t help you “contain” the memory through a guided process before the end of the session.

If you always feel much worse after EMDR, check in with your EMDR therapist about needing more resourcing before continuing to process trauma. If they don’t know how to do that or rush through it again, find another EMDR therapist.

If you feel much worse after an EMDR therapy session and are considering ending your life, please call 988 (US only) or go to the nearest hospital.

Feeling Upset You Didn't Try EMDR Therapy Earlier

For those who get great results with EMDR therapy, we often hear that people are sad and frustrated they didn't try it earlier. It makes sense to mourn the months or years you struggled when true healing was available to you. If you feel this way, please be gentle with yourself. What matters is that you found relief now and can live your life feeling lighter and freer than ever. You deserve it.

Feeling Relieved After EMDR Therapy: A Sense of Lightness

One of the beautiful outcomes of EMDR therapy is the potential for relief. Depending on what you are processing, you may notice that the burden of traumatic memories has lightened. This is what all EMDR therapists want for you: to feel the emotional weight you carried has lifted. This sense of relief can be a powerful indicator of the therapy's effectiveness.

If you don't feel this way, that's normal too. There's no correct response to EMDR therapy.

EMDR As A Powerful Trauma Therapy

EMDR therapy can bring about transformative healing. What you experience after EMDR is unique to your journey. Your reactions and emotions are valid. Be kind and patient with yourself as you navigate this post-therapy phase.

If you have concerns or questions about your post-EMDR experiences, talk to your therapist or a trusted mental health professional. They can provide guidance and support as you continue your healing journey. The path to recovery is filled with ups and downs, but each step forward brings you closer to a place of healing and wholeness.

Alexis Bibler, AMFT

Alexis is a fully trained EMDR therapist serving people in California

EMDR Therapy Online For Residents of California and Florida

Our practice offers highly customized, resource-heavy EMDR therapy to people in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, and throughout California and Florida. If you’re ready to heal your trauma and walk lighter into the future, schedule a free consultation with one of our EMDR therapists today.

Coriann Papazian, LMFT

Coriann is a licensed therapist offering EMDR therapy to people in California & Florida