What Is EMDR and How Can It Help You Heal?

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Have you ever felt "stuck" with emotions or reactions that don’t seem to match the situation? You may be dealing with unprocessed trauma. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and

Reprocessing) is a powerful therapy that helps people move past the emotional weight of trauma, both big and small.

Trauma doesn’t just mean major life events like abuse or the loss of a loved one. It can also be the smaller, everyday experiences that our brains struggle to process—like a painful breakup in high school or being criticized by someone you care about. These "little t" traumas can have just as much of an impact on how we feel and react to life.

When we experience trauma, it often gets "stuck" in our brains and bodies, especially in the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions and stress. This can lead to feelings of hyperarousal, anxiety, or even PTSD. Usually, when we go about our day, our memories are stored in the hippocampus, where long-term memories are processed. But when trauma isn’t properly processed, it gets stuck in the amygdala, creating ongoing emotionalreactions.

EMDR works by helping to "reprocess" these stuck memories so that they can be stored properly in the hippocampus, allowing the emotional charge to dissipate. Here’s where it gets interesting: our memories don’t just sit there in isolation. They’re connected in memory networks, which are tied together by the beliefs we hold about ourselves. For example, after a difficult breakup, you might develop a belief that "I'm not wanted" or "I'm not good enough." Over time, this belief can shape the way you react to other situations, triggering similar feelings of rejection or inadequacy.

The beauty of EMDR is that it helps you reprocess these negative memory networks and the beliefs tied to them, allowing you to break free from the patterns that have been holding you back. It’s like rewiring your brain to not automatically associate certain memories with harmful beliefs.

Through EMDR, you can transform how you experience your past and heal emotional wounds, freeing yourself to move forward with less emotional weight and greater resilience.

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How to Know EMDR Can Help You

You may be wondering, "Is EMDR right for me?" If any of these experiences sound familiar, it might be time to explore how EMDR can help you:

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● Overreacting emotionally to everyday situations (feeling overwhelmed, angry, or tearful over small triggers)

● Having emotional reactions that seem out of proportion to the current situation (such as extreme stress or panic over relatively minor issues)

● Struggling with constant self-doubt or negative thoughts about yourself

● Experiencing anxiety, discomfort, or avoidance in social situations

● Feeling perpetually stressed or "on edge", unable to relax or feel at ease

● Sensitivity in your relationships, like feeling misunderstood, criticized, or too dependent on others for emotional stability

● Recurrent vivid or intrusive memories from past experiences that interfere with your present life

● Difficulty doing specific things (such as driving, leaving the house, or having certain conversations, like talking to a family member or authority figure)

● Frequent feelings of shame or guilt, even when they don’t fit the current situation

● Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from others, often as a way of coping with overwhelming feelings

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The result of EMDR is not to erase your memories, but rather to change how you emotionally respond to them. After undergoing EMDR, you’ll find that your emotional reactions become more appropriate to the present situation, instead of being influenced by unresolved past trauma.

It’s incredibly confusing and frustrating when past trauma triggers a reaction that feels out of place. When you’re constantly on edge or re-experiencing old pain, it can be hard to just be present in your life. EMDR helps you regain clarity, allowing you to live in the moment and move forward with more peace and self-assurance.

EMDR is my specialty, and I see its transformative power every day. I’m deeply passionate about helping people break free from old patterns and find lasting emotional relief. It's incredibly rewarding to witness the positive change EMDR brings to my clients’ lives.

Are you ready to make a change? If you're unsure, I encourage you to reach out anyway. Taking that first step toward healing could be the most important one.

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With love and care, Amanda Snyder, LPCC & EMDR trauma specialist

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