Common Questions About EMDR Therapy

Author: Angela Holmes-Cruz, LMHC

If you’re considering EMDR therapy, it’s normal to have questions. Many people feel curious and hopeful but also unsure about what EMDR actually involves or whether it will feel too intense.

Below are some of the most common questions clients ask about EMDR therapy, along with my honest answers to them.

Is EMDR therapy safe?

Yes! EMDR is considered a safe, well-researched, trauma-informed therapy when provided by a trained clinician.

An important part of EMDR is preparation. Before any processing begins, ample time is spent building grounding skills, coping strategies, and a sense of emotional safety. EMDR is not about pushing through distress or forcing anything to happen. The work is guided carefully and adjusted based on how your nervous system responds. This is something we work on together it the early phases of EMDR.

Is EMDR emotionally intense?

It can be, but not always.

Some EMDR sessions involve strong emotions, while others feel calm, reflective, or even subtle. Many people share that they notice changes in thoughts, emotions, or body sensations rather than feeling overwhelmed.

EMDR is designed to help distress decrease over time. If something feels like too much, the pace can always be slowed or paused.

How many EMDR sessions do I need?

There is no single correct answer to this, because everyone’s experience is different.

Some people notice meaningful shifts after a few sessions. Others work with EMDR over a longer period, especially when addressing complex or long-standing experiences.

The number of sessions depends on factors such as what you want to work on, your current stress level, and how much support you have outside of therapy. This is something that will be discussed and revisited as therapy unfolds.

Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?

No (that’s something I love about EMDR). You do not have to share every detail of what happened.

Most of EMDR processing happens internally. You may be asked to notice thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations, but you stay in control of what you share out loud. You do not even have to share the specific event you are working on; we can go through the process with a “private event”.

This can feel especially relieving for people who worry about being retraumatized by retelling their story.

Can EMDR be done online?

Yes! EMDR can be effective both in person and online when it is done thoughtfully and with appropriate support.

Online EMDR allows people to engage in therapy from their own space, which can feel regulating and accessible. Others prefer the structure of in-person sessions. Neither option is better or worse. What matters most is feeling safe, supported, and able to stay present during session.

For online sessions, you will be sent a secure link that your therapist guides throughout the session. Depending on what you have available and what feels most supportive, different forms of bilateral stimulation may be used.

Does EMDR work for anxiety, or only trauma?

EMDR is commonly associated with trauma, but it can also be helpful for numerous other mental health concerns, such as anxiety, panic, depression, negative self-beliefs, and more.

Many people experience anxiety that is connected to past experiences, even if those experiences are not initially thought of as trauma. EMDR can help the brain reprocess these patterns so they feel less activating and less intrusive in daily life.

What if I don’t remember specific traumatic events?

You do not need clear or detailed memories for EMDR to be helpful.

EMDR can focus on emotions, body sensations, or beliefs such as “I’m not safe” or “I’m not good enough,” even when specific memories are unclear. Therapy can work with what feels present now rather than forcing recall.

How will I know if EMDR is right for me?

EMDR is not the right fit for everyone at every stage of healing.

A trauma-informed therapist will take time to understand your goals, stress level, and readiness before recommending EMDR. Sometimes EMDR is introduced gradually, and sometimes other approaches are more supportive initially.

Asking questions and moving at your own pace is part of the process.

Final Thoughts

Considering EMDR therapy often brings up both hope and uncertainty… and that makes sense. You do not need to have everything figured out before starting.

If you are exploring EMDR therapy in Sarasota, FL, or online EMDR therapy anywhere in Florida, a consultation can be a supportive way to ask questions and decide what feels right for you.

What is EMDR Therapy?

Author: Angela Holmes-Cruz, LMHC

If you’ve heard of EMDR therapy but aren’t quite sure what it is, you’re not alone. Many people in Sarasota and across Florida begin exploring EMDR while searching for help with anxiety, trauma, or feeling stuck and wonder if it’s something they should consider.

EMDR therapy stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a trauma-informed approach that helps the brain process difficult experiences so they no longer feel overwhelming in the present

While EMDR is often associated with trauma, it can be helpful for a wide range of concerns. It also tends to look very different from what most people expect therapy to be like.

How EMDR Therapy Works

When something overwhelming happens, whether it is a single event or a series of experiences over time, the brain does not always process it fully. Instead, the memory can become “stuck” and continue to show up as anxiety, emotional reactions, physical sensations, or negative beliefs about yourself.

EMDR helps the brain reprocess these experiences so they can be stored in a way that feels less charged and more manageable.

During EMDR sessions, you will focus on aspects of a memory (thoughts, feelings, emotions) while engaging in bilateral stimulation, which may include eye movements (visual), tapping (tactile), or alternating sounds (auditory). This left to right stimulation supports the brain’s natural healing process and is often compared to what happens during REM sleep.

Many clients describe EMDR as a treatment that helps memories feel farther away, less intense, or no longer emotionally gripping, even though they can still remember what happened.

Do You Have to Talk About Everything in Detail?

This is one of the most common questions I hear from clients and a big relief for many people.

With EMDR, you do not have to share every detail of your experience out loud. You remain in control of what you share the entire time as majority of the processing happens internally.

For people who worry about being retraumatized by retelling their story, this can make EMDR feel more approachable and safer than traditional talk therapy. This is something that drew me into EMDR as a clinician.

What Can EMDR Help With?

Although EMDR was originally developed to treat trauma, it is now used for a wide range of concerns, including:

• Anxiety and panic

• Childhood or relational trauma

• Negative self-beliefs such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’m unsafe”

• Grief and complicated loss

• Phobias

• Performance anxiety

• Distressing memories that still feel very present

You do not need to have one clearly defined traumatic event for EMDR to be helpful. Many people seek EMDR for experiences that do not always get labeled as traumatic but still have a lasting emotional impact.

What Does EMDR Therapy Feel Like?

EMDR can feel different from session to session.

Some sessions feel emotionally intense, while others feel calm or reflective. You may notice shifts in thoughts, emotions, body sensations, or memories as the brain makes new connections.

EMDR therapy also includes preparation and stabilization. A skilled EMDR therapist will focus on helping you feel grounded, resourced, and supported before moving into deeper processing work.

Healing is not about pushing through discomfort. It is about moving at a pace your nervous system can tolerate.

Is EMDR Done In Person or Online?

EMDR can be effective both in person and online, whether you are attending sessions in Sarasota or meeting virtually from elsewhere in Florida, when it is done thoughtfully and with proper support.

Some people prefer in-person sessions because of the sense of structure they provide. Others feel more at ease doing EMDR from home, especially if familiar surroundings help them feel safe.

What matters most is not the setting. The most important factors are safety, readiness, and the therapeutic relationship.

Is EMDR Right for Everyone?

EMDR is not a one-size-fits-all approach. While it is highly effective for many people, it is not always the right starting point.

As a trauma-informed EMDR therapist, I will take time to assess your current stress level, your ability to stay present during difficult emotions, the support systems you have in place, and what you hope to get out of therapy.

Sometimes EMDR is our main focus and is introduced gradually, and sometimes other forms of therapy come first. There is no wrong timeline, this will be decided between you and your therapist.

Final Thoughts

EMDR therapy is not about erasing your memory of the past or forcing yourself to relive painful experiences. It is about helping your brain and body recognize that what happened in the past is over and that you are safe now in the present.

If you are curious about EMDR or wondering whether it could be a good fit for you, it is okay to start with questions. You do not need to be certain to take the first step.

If you are looking for EMDR therapy in Sarasota, FL, or online EMDR therapy anywhere in Florida, you are welcome to reach out to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. We can talk through your goals and decide what kind of support would feel most helpful for you at the moment.