EMDR Therapy: What It Is, Why It’s So Popular for Trauma, and the Training Dr. Chase Is Completing
EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the most widely discussed trauma therapies in mental health today, and for good reason. Many people who seek therapy for trauma are not looking for insight alone. They want relief in their body, fewer triggers, better sleep, less emotional reactivity, and the ability to move through life without feeling as though the past is constantly intruding on the present. EMDR is designed to help with exactly that.
Below is a clear, client-friendly explanation of what EMDR is, why it has become such a trusted approach for trauma, and what the EMDR training process looks like, including the specialized training Dr. Lauren Chase is currently completing as she prepares to offer EMDR therapy.
What EMDR Therapy Is
EMDR is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people process distressing or traumatic experiences so those memories no longer feel overwhelming, intrusive, or stuck. Many people intellectually understand that a painful experience is over, yet their nervous system continues to react as if the threat is still present. This can show up as anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional shutdown, irritability, or a persistent sense of unease.
EMDR is designed to address this disconnect.
During EMDR, the therapist helps the client focus on a distressing memory while using bilateral stimulation, most commonly guided eye movements. Bilateral stimulation can also include alternating tapping or sounds. While research continues to explore the exact mechanisms, EMDR is often described as helping the brain and nervous system fully process experiences that were not adequately processed at the time they occurred. The goal is not to erase the memory, but to reduce its emotional intensity and shift how it is stored in the body and mind.
EMDR follows an eight-phase treatment model. These phases include history-taking and treatment planning, preparation and stabilization, identifying target memories, processing those memories with bilateral stimulation, installing more adaptive beliefs, scanning the body for residual distress, closing each session safely, and re-evaluating progress over time. This structured framework is one reason EMDR is often experienced as both focused and effective.
Trusted References and Further Reading
EMDR International Association (EMDRIA): https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
American Psychological Association on PTSD treatments: https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, PTSD overview: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand_tx/tx_basics.asp
Why EMDR Is So Popular for Trauma
EMDR has gained widespread attention because it addresses trauma in a way that feels practical, grounded, and effective for many people.
Strong research support
EMDR is recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD by major organizations including the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Its inclusion in these clinical guidelines reassures clients that EMDR is not experimental or trendy, but well-studied and evidence-based.
Less pressure to retell the story
Many trauma survivors feel worn down by repeatedly explaining what happened. EMDR does not require clients to describe every detail of their trauma. Clients can share only what feels manageable. The focus is on how the memory is stored internally, including thoughts, emotions, and body sensations, rather than on creating a detailed narrative.
Nervous system focused
Trauma lives in the nervous system, not just in memory. EMDR directly targets the physiological stress responses that keep people stuck in fight-or-flight or shutdown. Over time, many clients notice fewer triggers, improved emotional regulation, and a greater sense of calm in situations that once felt overwhelming.
Structured and goal-oriented
EMDR appeals to many high-achieving adults because it has a clear framework and measurable progress. Therapy is paced thoughtfully, but there is also a sense of direction and intention, which can feel reassuring.
Integrates well with other approaches
EMDR is often combined with grounding skills, mindfulness, CBT strategies, and somatic techniques. Preparation and stabilization are essential parts of ethical EMDR therapy, especially for clients with complex trauma or high levels of stress.
Trusted References and Further Reading
National Center for PTSD (VA), treatment overview: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/overview_therapy.asp
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) guidelines: https://istss.org/clinical-resources/treating-trauma
EMDRIA research summaries: https://www.emdria.org/resources/emdr-research/
What EMDR Therapy Can Help With
EMDR is widely known for treating PTSD, but it is also used for other concerns connected to unresolved past experiences. These can include childhood emotional wounds, medical or birth trauma, grief, panic symptoms, phobias, performance anxiety, and persistent negative beliefs such as “I am not good enough” or “I am not safe.”
A key part of EMDR therapy is assessing readiness. Ethical EMDR treatment includes careful preparation and stabilization so clients are not overwhelmed. Therapy moves at a pace that respects the client’s nervous system and current life stressors.
The EMDR Training Process Dr. Chase Is Completing
Becoming an EMDR therapist requires specialized training beyond graduate school. Dr. Lauren Chase is currently completing EMDR training through an EMDRIA-approved program, which ensures adherence to national standards for safety, ethics, and clinical competence.
While specific details vary by program, EMDR training typically includes:
Foundational training
This involves intensive coursework covering the eight phases of EMDR, trauma-informed case conceptualization, and clinical decision-making. Training is often divided into two parts with practice in between.
Supervised consultation
After foundational training, clinicians complete consultation hours with an approved EMDR consultant. This stage focuses on applying EMDR with real clients while receiving guidance on pacing, targeting memories, and working with complex trauma.
Skills practice and evaluation
Therapists demonstrate their ability to use the EMDR protocol competently and ethically. This ensures that EMDR is delivered safely and effectively.
Ongoing advanced training
Many EMDR therapists pursue additional education in areas such as complex trauma, dissociation, perinatal trauma, and performance-based EMDR. EMDR is a framework that deepens with experience and continued learning.
This training process reflects Dr. Chase’s commitment to offering trauma therapy that is both compassionate and evidence-based, with careful attention to nervous system safety and client readiness.
Further Reading
EMDRIA training overview: https://www.emdria.org/training/emdr-training/
EMDRIA certification standards: https://www.emdria.org/training/certification/
EMDRIA therapist directory: https://www.emdria.org/find-an-emdr-therapist/
A Grounded Perspective on EMDR
EMDR is not about reliving trauma for the sake of it. It is about helping your nervous system recognize that the danger has passed. Many clients describe the outcome as feeling more distance from painful memories. The events are remembered, but they no longer dominate emotional or physical responses.
If you are a high-achieving woman who feels stuck in anxiety, emotional overwhelm, hypervigilance, or long-standing patterns rooted in past experiences, EMDR may be a meaningful next step. If you are looking for trauma therapy that is structured, evidence-based, and paced with care, contact Climbing Hills Counseling to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lauren Chase. Together, we can explore whether EMDR is the right fit for your goals and begin building a steadier, more grounded way forward.
