Do I have to talk about the trauma in detail?

No. One of the key differences between EMDR and talk therapy is that you don't need to describe the distressing event in detail. You briefly hold the memory in mind while the bilateral stimulation does its work — the brain processes it without needing a full verbal narrative.

How many sessions does it take?

It varies. Single-incident traumas can sometimes be processed in a few sessions, while complex or long-standing trauma may take longer. EMDR often requires fewer sessions than traditional talk therapy for the same issue, but your therapist will give you a clearer sense after the initial sessions.

Can EMDR be done virtually?

Yes. EMDR works well via telehealth — the bilateral stimulation can be done with eye movements on screen, or with tapping or audio. A trained clinician can guide you through it remotely with the same protocols used in person.

What if I don't have one specific traumatic memory?

You don't need a single identifiable event. EMDR can work with patterns of experiences, relational wounds, or negative beliefs about yourself that developed over time. Your therapist will help identify what to target, even if it's not one specific memory.

Does insurance cover EMDR?

Often, yes. EMDR is a recognized, evidence-based treatment, and many insurance plans cover it when provided by a licensed clinician. Coverage varies by plan, so it's worth checking your specific benefits — or ask the practice to help you verify.

What's the difference between EMDR and talk therapy?

Talk therapy works primarily through insight and narrative — understanding and discussing what happened. EMDR works through reprocessing — helping the brain actually complete what it couldn't at the time, so the memory loses its charge. Many people use both: talk therapy for understanding, EMDR for the stuck parts that insight alone hasn't moved.

Is EMDR safe if I have a chronic illness or chronic pain?

Generally yes — EMDR is non-invasive and doesn't involve medication. In fact, EMDRIA-published research supports its use for chronic pain. As with any therapy, it's important to tell your clinician about your medical history so the process can be paced appropriately for your body and energy levels.

All guides

A SOULFLO Therapy Guide

Understanding EMDR: What It Is, What to Expect, and Who It's For

Curated by SOULFLO Therapy — to ease the struggle of finding the right fit.

This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this does not establish a client-therapist relationship. If any of this resonates, we encourage you to reach out for a consultation to discuss your specific situation.

What EMDR Is

What EMDR actually does

Trauma and distressing memories can get "stuck" in the nervous system instead of processing normally — the brain's fight, flight, or freeze response holds onto them, keeping the memory as present as today.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — eye movements, tapping, or sounds — while you briefly focus on a distressing memory. This appears to help the brain reprocess it, so the memory moves from "stuck" to "resolved" — remembered, but no longer activating.

EMDR is recognized as an effective trauma treatment by major health and mental health organizations worldwide.

Stuck

The memory feels like it's still happening

Your body reacts as if the event is happening right now — the alarm stays on.

Resolved

The memory is just a memory

You remember what happened, but your body knows it's over — the alarm turns off.

Watch: EMDRIA's Official Introduction

Recognized as effective by

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How It's Different

How EMDR is different from talk therapy

EMDR does not require talking in detail about the distressing event or doing homework between sessions. The brain does the processing while you stay present and in control.

It can often be completed in fewer sessions than other approaches, and is available in-person or via telehealth with a trained clinician.

What to Expect

The 8 phases of EMDR

Tap each phase to see what happens and why.

The therapist gathers your history and identifies which memories or experiences to target.

You have full control to pause or stop at any point — the process only goes where you're ready for it to go.

Who It Can Help

Who EMDR can help

PTSD / C-PTSD

Single-incident trauma and complex, repeated trauma — helping the brain file what still feels like it's happening into the past.

Anxiety / Panic / Phobias

Targets the memories and beliefs driving the alarm, so the body stops reacting to a threat that isn't here anymore.

Depression

According to EMDRIA, EMDR can be effective for depression, especially when tied to unprocessed loss, grief, or negative core beliefs like "I'm not enough."

Chronic Pain & Illness

EMDRIA-published research documents EMDR's effectiveness in reducing both pain intensity and the emotional distress associated with chronic pain conditions.

Grief & Loss

Eases the charge of a loss that won't settle — without needing to find the "right" words for it.

Sleep Disturbance

When sleep is disrupted by an overactive system, processing the underlying material can help the nervous system stand down at night.

Substance Use

Addresses the painful experiences and cravings that often sit beneath the behavior, as part of a broader recovery plan.

Eating Disorders

Works on the body image beliefs and early experiences that fuel the pattern, alongside nutrition and medical care.

Violence / Abuse Recovery

Helps the body release what it couldn't process in the moment, at a pace that keeps you in control of the work.

The Simple Science

What the brain is doing

Prefrontal Cortex

Normally helps you reason through "is this actually dangerous right now?" Trauma can weaken its signal.

Hippocampus

Handles memory and safety learning. Under chronic stress it can shrink, weakening its ability to calm the amygdala.

Amygdala

The alarm system. It stays overactive after trauma, keeping the body on high alert even when the danger has passed.

EMDR helps restore communication between these three areas so the threat response resolves and the memory becomes just a memory.

Meet Your Therapist

A therapist who fits what you're exploring

Nan Wang, APCC/AMFT

Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor & Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

EMDR-trained therapist helping thoughtful adults and teens with anxiety, depression, and patterns they can't think their way out of.

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Mai Eguchi, AMFT

Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

EMDR-trained with a structural dissociation lens, attuned to complex trauma and deeply sensitive clients.

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Brittney Raymond, AMFT

Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

EMDR-trained, working with high-achieving millennials navigating anxiety, burnout, and past trauma.

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Nancy Phung-Smith, LMFT

Founder & Clinical Supervisor

EMDRIA Approved Consultant offering EMDR Intensives for focused, deeper reprocessing of complex trauma.

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Frequently Asked Questions

No. You stay fully awake and in control the entire time. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — like eye movements or tapping — while you focus on a memory, but it's not hypnosis. You're aware of everything happening and can stop at any point.

Educational Disclaimer

This page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a licensed clinician about your specific situation.

Curious whether EMDR is right for you?

Nancy Phung-Smith, LMFT, is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant. SOULFLO specializes in trauma-focused intensives using EMDR, IFS, and Brainspotting for high-functioning adults with complex trauma — therapy designed around how your brain actually works.

Book a consultation Explore Therapy Intensives