The answer is complex and depends on what EMDR is targeting - such as one single traumatic event or repetitive traumas like abuse. Your EMDR therapist can tell you what to expect during EMDR treatment and what symptom reduction will feel and look like. Below are some of ways that clients improve in my EMDR therapy practice in Phoenix AZ:

• Desensitization or having lower emotional distress should be happening when thinking of or remembering certain traumatic events

• Reduction in flashbacks, nightmares and disturbing intrusive thoughts

• Not avoiding certain situations or activities and able to socialize and shop, drive/fly more comfortably, tolerate difficult relationships easier

• Feeling lighter and less heavy emotionally

• Finding one’s voice and standing up for oneself

• Reduction in perfectionism and people pleasing

• Thinking of the future in a more positive light and contemplating healthy changes to make oneself more content

• Acknowledging trust issues and understanding how to create one’s own safety

• Listening to gut instinct more and not “second guessing” as much

• Being more comfortable having emotions with self-validation especially with anger

• Measurable score decrease on a PTSD symptom assessment compared to beginning of treatment

Everyone’s healing journey is different. Some common factors I have witnessed that can impede or slow down improvement from EMDR are: (a) if current stressors are all consuming and interrupt EMDR processing (b) the targeted perpetrator of past abuse is a constant fixture in present day and continues abuse (c) rigid control over emotions and not able to process emotionally and (d) subconscious blocking for various reasons such as not wanting to feel the pain, etc

I believe EMDR does work and takes less time than other modalities. Anyone starting EMDR should understand what to expect, what improvement will look like, and any side effects and complicating factors. I am very passionate about EMDR to help others; if you would like to learn more, please contact me.