8 Myths About EMDR Debunked

EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is among the most misunderstood therapy methods. Rumor has it that EMDR is weird, and a lot of other things too. Although there is a growing awareness of the benefits of EMDR, there are still a lot of myths about EMDR out there. In this post, we address the most common misconceptions. Here’s what EMDR is and what it isn’t. Scroll down to learn a thing or two! 

Myth #1: It’s very new

Due to its increase in popularity in recent years, EMDR may seem like a new and trendy therapy. But EMDR has actually been around since 1987. Francine Shapiro, a psychologist, discovered the concept of EMDR when she noticed that the spontaneous movement of her eyes scanning a landscape from left to right made her anxiety decrease.

A couple of years later the research on EMDR therapy began. Since then, it has been tested for legitimacy and efficiency through a large number of studies and practiced by thousands of trained therapists. EMDR is not just a trend—it’s nearing its 30th anniversary and showing no signs of fading away. 

Myth #2: It’s only for severe trauma

Although EMDR has been most recognized as an effective and recommended treatment for severe trauma and PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, it can treat much more. EMDR is effective in treating a wide range of other issues including but not limited to:

• Anxiety

• Chronic pain

• Unresolved grief 

• Eating disorders

• Addiction

• Depression

• Phobias/Fears 

The EMDR method is very versatile. In other words, the techniques can be adapted and adjusted to treat different kinds of issues. If you are dealing with more than one issue, it is likely you can effectively address them all with EMDR. 

Myth #3: The EMDR starts in the first session

Some people feel anxious about being thrown into EMDR work right away. However, the actual EMDR technique (where the eye movements come in) does not happen in the first session. 

EMDR therapy actually consists of 8 stages, and the EMDR doesn’t usually happen until phases 4-7. This means that the client spends a handful of sessions getting acquainted with their therapist, providing history, and preparing for later sessions before jumping into EMDR. During these initial sessions, the client has plenty of time to ask questions and learn what to expect of EMDR. 

If you want to learn more about the timeline of the process, we talk about the 8 stages of EMDR therapy more in-depth here.

Myth #4: It’s a one-and-done

EMDR typically gives quicker results compared to other traditional methods such as talk therapy. This is due to the desensitization and reprocessing of memories through eye movements. However, EMDR is not a quick fix.

As mentioned above, EMDR is more than letting a therapist wave their fingers in front of your eyes. The 8 stages of the EMDR process require multiple sessions. While the number of total sessions needed varies from person to person, it is reasonable to expect more than 2-3 sessions.  

Myth #5: It’s hypnosis

Don’t let the eye-movement part of EMDR fool you! You may picture a therapist wagging their finger back and forth in front of a person and associate it with hypnosis. However, EMDR is not hypnosis. 

During hypnosis, a person is led into a trance-like state of consciousness. While hypnosis consists of a loss of awareness of the present moment, the goal of EMDR is dual attention, which allows the client to always be present and aware during each step of the process. 

Unlike hypnosis, EMDR allows the client to have complete control of the session. The client remains awake and alert the entire time. In fact, if the client ever wants to stop, they can absolutely do so. 

If at any point during the session the client becomes distressed, the therapist will help them come back to a safe mental place through grounding techniques. A trained EMDR therapist will never manipulate or force a client to do anything.

Myth #6: It's a woo-woo therapy

This one’s big. There is a misconception that EMDR is not backed up by research. This is far from the truth. Since its development in the late 1980s, EMDR has been rigorously researched and has been deemed a successful evidence-based therapy. 

Although EMDR tends to be met with greater suspicion than traditional therapy approaches, it has a wider base of research supporting it than most. Among the institutions that have endorsed EMDR as an effective treatment for trauma and other issues are the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Psychiatric Association, and the Veterans Administration. 

These endorsements would not have taken place if there was a lack of research. Rest assured, EMDR is legit. 

Myth #7: I won’t have to do any talking

In our post 5 Great Benefits of EMDR, we mentioned that EMDR does not require as much talking as traditional talk therapy. While this is true, the client still has to do some talking, especially in the initial stages. 

The client will have plenty of conversations with their therapist, providing information that will help the therapist assess the client’s needs and create a treatment plan.

Myth #8: Anyone can lead someone through EMDR

“Can I do EMDR myself?” is one of the most popular EMDR-related searches on Google. The short answer? No. Although the EMDR technique may sound simple, one must undergo training in order to lead someone through it safely and effectively. 

Attempting to do it yourself without a therapist will likely not provide any positive results and could even lead to worsening of symptoms. To practice EMDR safely and ethically, a therapist must receive many hours of training through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and complete months of supervised practice afterward.

Now that we’ve debunked the most popular myths of EMDR, you can check out our other posts to learn more about EMDR. If you or someone you know is interested in EMDR therapy, we may be able to help with the next step. Click below to reach out to one of our therapists trained in EMDR.