Feeling nervous about EMDR therapy? Learn what EMDR is really like, what to expect in sessions, and how it helps reduce anxiety and trauma safely.

If you have been curious about trying EMDR but feel nervous, you are not alone. So many people are curious about EMDR, but feel unsure about what it involves or whether it will really help you. It is understandable to be nervous trying something both new and that involves exploring past painful experiences. I’m Jennifer Nemecek –  a lawyer, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and EMDR Therapist in Chicago. EMDR is an incredible therapeutic modality that I use with many of my clients in Chicago and the good news is that you can be nervous and still find yourself in the care of an EMDR therapist who helps you begin EMDR therapy even with some nervousness. You just have to be open to taking that first small step. Here’s a list of facts about EMDR that might help calm your nerves before starting EMDR Therapy:

• While doing EMDR or Eye Movement Desenstization and Reprocessing, you don’t have to talk about disturbing or traumatic memories in depth. This may feel like a relief if talking through painful emotional or physical experiences is something you just don’t feel ready to do. I will ask you to think of something bothersome or distressing that you want to work on and as long as you’re able to identify that for yourself and feel the emotions connected with that memory or event, whether it happened last week or years ago, we can begin EMDR. 
  
  

• You are in control the entire time. A crucial part of an EMDR session is that the client stays as present as possible. EMDR is not hypnosis or anything like it. You will not be “put” into a different state of being or consciousness. I want you to be in the driver’s seat the whole time. That is what makes EMDR the incredibly powerful therapy so many people experience it to be.
  
  

• Before beginning any processing of a memory, we will work on practicing grounding and coping skills. Because we’re working on an aspect of your life that has been difficult in some way, we intentionally dedicate time up front to build up what EMDR Therapy calls “resources”, so you’re equipped to manage difficult emotions that may happen during or after your session. 
  

• EMDR is done at your pace. Ethical and effective therapy is not rushed and is collaborative. EMDR can be done gradually at a pace that works for you. My approach meets you where you are. We can meet for 50 min sessions and you can decide week to week whether it’s a day for EMDR. I also offer dedicated 90-minute and 3-hour EMDR sessions for clients who want to accelerate processing and healing. Even in those longer sessions, we use the time however is best for you – incorporating longer breaks, switching to non-EMDR therapy, or taking time for extra grounding and mindfulness practice. You will have the power to stop, slow down, or change the type of processing at any time.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR Therapy is a psychotherapy technique designed to alleviate distress and other symptoms connected with past distressing or traumatic memories. During EMDR Therapy, the therapist supports clients in processing these experiences in a more useful way to prompt healing and decrease or eliminate related symptoms. This innovative therapy has gained recognition globally for its effectiveness in trauma recovery. 

What Happens During an EMDR Therapy Session?

EMDR is a structured therapeutic approach that begins with a foundation of safety to support clients in processing most effectively. During our EMDR therapy work together, I will guide you through a set of bi-lateral stimulation (eye-movement or tapping) while you reflect on a distressing memory or negative/limiting belief about yourself. This allows you to access and “unlock” the memory and process it in a more effective and helpful way. This can result in dramatic shifts, with people reporting they were able to finally feel a sense of peace or calm within their minds and bodies, let go of unhelpful behavior patterns, and no longer feel at the mercy of feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, or fear. 

EMDR therapy uses eye-movement (or an alternative form of bi-lateral stimulation like tapping with the hands) to stimulate the brain’s natural healing process, mimicking what occurs in our brains during REM sleep. 

What Happens If a Client Does Get Nervous During an EMDR Session?

Before beginning any processing of a memory, we will work on practicing grounding and coping skills. Because we are working on an aspect of your life that has been upsetting or distressing in some way and accessing that emotion is a part of effective EMDR, we intentionally dedicate time up front to build up what EMDR Therapy calls “resources”, so you’re equipped to manage difficult emotions that may happen during or after your session. You are in control the whole time and I will be there to support you. In fact, a critical part of an EMDR session is that the client stays as present as possible. EMDR is not hypnosis or anything like it. You will not be “put” into a different state of mind or consciousness. I want you to be in the driver’s seat the whole time. That is what makes EMDR an effective therapy.

Who Can Benefit from EMDR?

Trauma comes in many forms. While EMDR can be incredible for PTSD stemming from specific events like an assault or a serious car accident, trauma comes in many other forms. Trauma also looks like childhood wounds, low self-worth, intense reactions to certain situations, or feeling “stuck” in life or in relationship patterns that are no longer serving you, and many others.

Trauma Therapy in Chicago: Healing That Matters

Whether you are dealing with PTSD due to a significant incident and you are seeking relief from how that is still impacting you or you’re troubled by old wounds and repeating unhelpful behaviors/patterns, your healing matters and you are not alone. Strategic Wellness Therapy provides in-person EMDR Therapy in the Loop in Chicago, as well as teletherapy. If you’re ready to explore whether EMDR is a fit for you even if you are feeling nervous, the right therapist will support you in that process with expertise and compassion. 

Ready to explore EMDR trauma or anxiety therapy in Chicago? Read more about EMDR Therapy here.