Break free from PTSD, anxiety, and emotional pain through clinically-proven psychotherapy designed for true recovery.
Unlock True Healing with EMDR Therapy
- EMDR helps the brain and body heal from trauma by reprocessing painful memories through guided eye movements or bilateral stimulation, reducing their emotional impact.
- The therapy is highly effective for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other trauma-related conditions, with decades of research and global recognition from organizations like the WHO and APA.
- Clients remain safe and in control throughout the process, learning grounding and relaxation techniques before reprocessing to ensure emotional stability.
- At Marietta Springs, EMDR is personalized and holistic, blending mindfulness, somatic therapy, and cognitive approaches for comprehensive emotional recovery.
- Most clients experience lasting relief in as few as 6–12 sessions, gaining self-awareness, emotional balance, and a renewed sense of peace and confidence.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Developed by American psychologist, Francine Shapiro, EMDR treatment is a structured psychotherapy approach that provides effective treatment for people who want to handle traumatic events and distressing life experiences.[1] The therapy works best for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as anxiety, depression, addiction, and unresolved emotional distress.
Your therapist leads you through bilateral stimulation during sessions by using eye movements or tapping while you remember particular experiences in a protected, supported space. Over time, these memories lose their emotional intensity, allowing your brain and body to process them fully.
Our EMDR therapists at Marietta Springs establish a secure environment based on trust before starting reprocessing sessions with clients. The treatment plans use EMDR therapy in combination with mindfulness, grounding techniques, and other evidence-based methods to create individualized approaches for achieving long-term healing results.
How EMDR Works—and Why It’s So Effective
The process of healing from trauma requires more than discussing distressing memories because it involves allowing your brain and body to release these painful experiences.
EMDR works by engaging both sides of the brain through guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation (rhythmic, alternating activation of both sides of the body and therefore both hemispheres of the brain — usually through eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones that move from left to right.).[2] The procedure enables memory storage to change which results in reduced emotional power and eliminates distressing responses in current situations.
The Core Process
EMDR theory establishes its base on the concept that unresolved traumatic memories cause ongoing distress long after the event. The therapy uses bilateral stimulation to help your brain reprocess these experiences and file them in a healthier way.
- EMDR enables your brain to handle traumatic memories by eliminating the intense emotional responses which normally accompany them.
- You stay present throughout event processing, which allows you to establish feelings of security and control.
- New, balanced beliefs replace old patterns of fear, shame, or self-blame.
Why It Works
- Reduces emotional reactivity and physical stress responses
- Builds self-awareness and emotional regulation
- Replaces negative self-beliefs with self-compassion and strength
The Research Behind EMDR Therapy
EMDR is one of the most researched trauma therapies in the world—and its results are consistently strong. It’s recognized by organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as an effective first-line treatment for trauma.
What Studies Show:
Evidence Based
Over thirty randomized controlled trials have evaluated EMDR, and numerous meta-analyses confirm its efficacy in reducing PTSD symptoms.[3]
Comparison to CBT
A 2013 meta-analysis found that EMDR was at least as effective—and potentially faster than trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing PTSD symptoms.[4]
Typical Treatment Duration
In standard clinical practice, EMDR is often delivered over 6 to 12 sessions, and in many trials, a significant portion of clients experience substantial symptom relief in that timeframe.[5]
Early Response
In many cases of single-event trauma treated early, clients begin to show noticeable symptom relief within the first few sessions.[6]
Beyond PTSD
EMDR has proven effective in treating anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and eating disorders because it directly addresses the core emotional distress that causes these conditions. Research shows that integrating EMDR into addiction and dual-diagnosis treatment improves emotional regulation and long-term recovery outcomes.
What to Expect from EMDR Therapy
Starting EMDR therapy can be uncertain but learning about it will help you develop trust in the process. Here is what you can expect:
Personalized Therapy
You will work with a licensed EMDR therapist who will dedicate time to learn about your background and goals.
Preparation & Safety
You will learn grounding and relaxation techniques as part of your training before starting the reprocessing process to maintain emotional safety.
Structured Reprocessing
Your therapist guides you through structured procedures which unite bilateral stimulation with memory focus.
Healing & Positive Change
As distress fades, positive beliefs and emotional calm can take place.
Many clients describe EMDR as both powerful and gentle—intense emotions may surface, but they are met with compassion, safety, and control. Healing happens at your pace.
EMDR Therapy at Marietta Springs
The EMDR therapy approach at Marietta Springs delivers individualized healing programs to each patient. Our trauma care therapists provide each session with both precise treatment and compassionate understanding.
You’ll benefit from:
EMDR functions as a method to assist you in recovering confidence and peace while you work to rebuild your self-connection.
Take the First Step Today
You don’t have to live in the shadows of your past. EMDR therapy offers an effective treatment approach that enables people to manage traumatic events and find balance again. The certified therapists at Marietta Springs provide compassionate guidance through their expertise to support your entire treatment journey.
Schedule a free consultation to discover how EMDR therapy can help your recovery process. We accept most major insurance plans and offer flexible options to make care accessible. Healing begins the moment you decide you deserve it—let’s take that step together toward clarity, strength, and peace.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Rehab in Columbus
What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy method that helps your brain reprocess traumatic or upsetting memories using bilateral stimulation (often eye movements, taps, or tones). It can reduce the emotional intensity of those memories so they no longer trigger distress in everyday life.
Can EMDR therapy help with anxiety, depression, or PTSD?
Yes — EMDR therapy for anxiety and EMDR for depression are well-supported uses. Many clients experience relief from PTSD, panic attacks, and depressive symptoms by reprocessing the underlying emotional triggers through EMDR.
Are there side effects or negative effects of EMDR therapy?
Some common, temporary side effects include emotional sensitivity, vivid dreams, fatigue, or temporary distress as the brain processes memories. Severe negative reactions are rare when a properly trained EMDR therapist guides the process.
How does EMDR compare to CBT or exposure therapy?
EMDR vs CBT: EMDR often works faster for trauma because it doesn’t require you to repeatedly retell your trauma, as CBT might. EMDR vs Exposure Therapy: EMDR doesn’t rely solely on prolonged exposure — it allows processing while maintaining regulation and safety.
Can I do self EMDR or EMDR exercises at home?
Self EMDR or DIY versions are not recommended for resolving deep trauma. EMDR protocols are structured and require therapist oversight. However, some therapists teach “resource tapping” or grounding tools clients can safely practice between sessions under guidance.
What about EMDR for schizophrenia or complex mental health conditions?
EMDR and schizophrenia: While EMDR is primarily used for trauma, some therapists incorporate it cautiously in clients with schizophrenia or psychosis—only when stable and under close supervision. Not all clinicians recommend it for every condition, so evaluation is essential.
Sources & References
Wilson, G., Farrell, D., Barron, I., Hutchins, J., Whybrow, D., & Kiernan, M. D. (2018). The use of eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in treating post-traumatic stress disorder: A systematic narrative review. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 923. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00923
Pagani, M., Di Lorenzo, G., Verardo, A. R., Nicolais, G., Monaco, L., Lauretti, G., Russo, R., Niolu, C., & Siracusano, A. (2012). Neurobiological correlates of EMDR monitoring—An EEG study. PLOS ONE, 7(9), e45753. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0045753
Chen, Y.-R., Hung, K.-W., Chan, C.-C., Wu, Y.-C., Chien, L.-W., & Huang, T.-L. (2015). Efficacy of eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing for post-traumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLOS ONE, 10(8), e0137131. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0137131
Ho, M. S. K., & Lee, C. W. (2013). Cognitive behaviour therapy versus eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for post-traumatic stress disorder: Is it all in the homework then? Revue Européenne de Psychologie Appliquée / European Review of Applied Psychology, 63(5), 253–260.* https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erap.2012.08.001
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) — Practice guideline for PTSD. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing
Torres-Giménez, A., Garcia-Gibert, C., Gelabert, E., Mallorquí, A., Segú, X., Roca-Lecumberri, A., Martínez, A., Giménez, Y., & Sureda, B. (2024). Efficacy of EMDR for early intervention after a traumatic event: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 174, 73–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.04.019
