Common Myths about EMDR Therapy - 02/01/25

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an approach designed to help individuals process and heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. Originally developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has become a widely recognised and evidence-based method for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other emotional difficulties. Despite its proven effectiveness, many misconceptions persist. In this blog, I address some of these myths and provide a clearer picture of what EMDR therapy truly entails so that you can make an informed choice about whether EMDR is for you.

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Myth: EMDR Only Works if you have PTSD

Fact: A diagnosis of PTSD isn’t necessary to benefit from EMDR therapy. This approach helps the brain reprocess all traumatic experiences (big and small). EMDR has also been successfully used with many issues such as depression, anxiety, phobias and low self-esteem. More recently, EMDR is being used to coach people who feel stuck in life.‍

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Myth: EMDR Will Make Me Forget My Trauma

Fact: EMDR’s goal is not to erase memories but to help you process them in a way that reduces their emotional charge. You won’t forget your experiences, but you’ll be less likely to “relive” them in a distressing way. Over time, the memories may surface less often, and when they do, they’ll no longer trigger overwhelming feelings or reactions.

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Myth: EMDR Won’t Work if I Can’t Remember the Details of My Trauma

Fact: EMDR doesn’t require you to recall every detail of a traumatic event to be effective. Many aspects of trauma are stored in ways that aren’t easily verbalized or consciously accessible. EMDR taps into how these memories are stored in the body and brain, allowing them to be processed and resolved—even when you can’t articulate the experience fully.

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Myth: EMDR Can Lead to False Memories

Fact: EMDR focuses on reprocessing memories that already exist in your mind. It does not create new memories or verify the accuracy of existing ones. Memories naturally evolve over time, and EMDR works with how you currently experience a memory. The goal is to help you reframe and adaptively process old information so you can feel a greater sense of safety and stability in relation to your past experiences.

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Myth: EMDR Involves Hypnosis

Fact: EMDR is often mistaken for hypnosis but this isn’t the case. During EMDR therapy, you are fully awake and in control throughout the session. This means you can stop or pause the session at any time. You can read about how EMDR works step-by-step here.

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Myth: EMDR is unsafe and will make me feel worse

Fact: When carried out by an appropriately qualified and trained therapist (as with any therapy), EMDR is a safe and therapeutic process. While desensitisation sessions can be challenging in the moment due to heightened emotions, the discomfort is temporary and does not persist. Common side effects immediately after a session may include fatigue, heightened emotions, or vivid dreams but these are all typical parts of the healing process. Taking time to rest after a session can help you recover.

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Myth: EMDR Offers Instant Results

Fact: There’s a belief that EMDR works like magic, quickly resolving emotional issues within a few sessions. While EMDR can sometimes lead to faster progress than other therapies, this is not always the case. Everyone’s journey to healing is unique and it happens at a different pace for each person. Some may need several sessions whereas others need less.

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Myth: EMDR Doesn’t Work online

Fact: The Covid-19 pandemic pushed therapists to explore online EMDR therapy, and the results have been encouraging (see here , here and here). Studies confirm that EMDR can be effective online as long as the client feels supported and the therapist is properly trained.

Myth: EMDR Isn’t Effective

Fact: Scepticism about EMDR’s efficacy persists, yet extensive research supports its success in treating trauma and related issues. Individual results can vary, but EMDR is recognised as an evidence-based therapy with significant benefits for many. You can read more about the latest research here and here.

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The Reality: EMDR Is Safe and Effective When Delivered Properly by an appropriately trained and qualified therapist

EMDR is a proven method for addressing trauma and fostering emotional healing. By addressing these myths, I hope I've been able to provide some clarity for anyone considering this therapy.

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EMDR Therapy in Hertford and online EMDR

If you have any further questions or want to book an appointment for EMDR Therapy in Hertford with Dr Maria Tucknott then please do not hesitate to contact me. I offer EMDR Therapy in-person from my consulting room in Hertford and online EMDR across the UK.

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