How EMDR Therapy Works: What to Expect and Who It Helps
Have you heard about EMDR therapy and wondered if it’s as effective as people say? Are you unsure what it actually looks like in practice or whether it could help with what you’re going through? If so, you’re not alone.
In this blog, I’m discussing what EMDR looks like, who it benefits, and why it’s worth considering in your healing journey.
Hi, I’m Amanda Parmley, MA, LCMHC
I am a counselor in Carolina Beach, NC, and I specialize in helping adults improve self-esteem, decrease anxiety, and move past trauma. I provide EMDR therapy to help clients process the deep-rooted beliefs and experiences that keep them stuck in cycles of stress, self-doubt, and anxiety.
Ready to get unstuck? Click the button below to schedule your free consultation.
First, What Is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a powerful therapy developed to help people heal from trauma and other deeply distressing experiences that traditional talk therapy alone may not fully resolve.
But EMDR isn’t just for “big T” trauma like car accidents or assault. It’s also incredibly effective for the subtle, cumulative wounds that so many of us carry. Wounds like emotionally neglectful parents, toxic relationships, bullying, or being constantly made to feel “not enough.”
How EMDR Therapy Actually Works
At the core of EMDR is the belief that your brain knows how to heal…it just sometimes gets stuck.
When something overwhelming happens and you don’t have the tools or support to process it, that negative memory and the beliefs and emotions tied to it can get frozen in time. Your brain keeps reacting like the danger is still happening, even if it’s long over.
EMDR helps “unstick” that memory so your brain can finally finish processing it. That means the emotions and negative self-beliefs tied to the event start to shift. You stop reliving it. You feel safer, stronger, and more grounded.
What Happens in a Session?
Here’s what EMDR typically looks like:
Preparation: We build trust, learn calming tools, and identify the issues we’ll target together.
Assessment: You’ll choose a memory or belief to focus on. This can be anything from “I’m not safe” to “I’m unlovable.”
Desensitization: Using bilateral stimulation (like guided eye movements, tapping, or tones), your brain starts to process the memory in a new way. You’re fully awake, aware, and in control—but the processing happens more deeply than through words alone.
Installation: We help strengthen positive, adaptive beliefs (like “I am enough” or “I’m in control now”).
Body scan & closure: We make sure your body and nervous system feel calm before ending the session.
Many clients are surprised by how different EMDR feels from talk therapy—and how fast real change can happen when your body and brain work together to heal.
Who Does EMDR Help?
EMDR has been extensively researched and is recommended by the World Health Organization and the Department of Veterans Affairs for trauma treatment. But it’s not just for veterans or extreme cases.
EMDR is especially effective for:
PTSD and C-PTSD
Anxiety and panic attacks
Childhood trauma and neglect
People-pleasing and perfectionism
Low self-worth
Grief and loss
Disturbing memories or intrusive thoughts
Toxic relationship aftermath (including narcissistic abuse)
You Deserve Relief—Not Just Insight
Sometimes, insight isn’t enough. You might understand why you feel anxious or why a past relationship still affects you—but you still can’t seem to move past it.
That’s where EMDR comes in.
This isn’t about just coping. It’s about finally releasing what’s been weighing you down—so you can live with more freedom, clarity, and self-trust.
If you’re ready to feel different—not just think differently—let’s talk.
Interested in learning more? Schedule your free consultation below:
How to Start Therapy with Amanda Parmley, MA, LCMHC:
1. Click the button below to request a free 15-minute consultation.
2.
Complete a short intake questionnaire.
3. Complete
the required screener
& take the phone call from Amanda Parmley at the prearranged & agreed-upon time.
4. Start your journey
to feeling better.
Additional Services Offered by Amanda Parmley, MA, LCMHC:
I specialize in working with clients experiencing anxiety, past trauma and low self-esteem, specifically through the use of EMDR. Experiencing chronic insomnia? I also provide CBT-I.
Located in NC & want to use your insurance? I accept many insurance plans. Reach out today to inquire whether I’m network.
Online Counseling
Are you interested in counseling but live too far to commute to the session? If you are located within NC, FL, or SC and are interested in online counseling, reach out today to discuss whether this is the right option for you.
*Now Offering Telehealth for Florida Residents – Private Pay Only
I am now available to see clients in Florida via secure telehealth sessions. If you're struggling with anxiety, trauma, or low self-esteem, virtual therapy can provide the support you need from the comfort of your home. Contact me to learn more or schedule a session today!