What is Bilateral Stimulation and EMDR and how can it help with PTSD?
- Madison Flores
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
By Madison Flores, MS, LCPC, LPC
If you’ve been struggling with the effects of trauma or PTSD, you might have heard about a treatment called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). It sounds complicated—but don’t worry, we’ll break it down in simple terms so you know exactly what to expect.
What is Bilateral Stimulation and EMDR?
EMDR is a type of therapy designed to help people heal from traumatic experiences, such as accidents, abuse, natural disasters, or combat. When something overwhelming happens, your brain can have a hard time processing the memory. It can feel “stuck,” making you re-experience the trauma through flashbacks, nightmares, or intense anxiety.
Bilateral Stimulation and EMDR helps your brain finish processing those stuck memories, so they no longer control how you feel in the present.
How Does EMDR Work?
Here’s the basic idea:
When you recall a traumatic memory, your brain reacts as if the danger is happening right now.
EMDR helps you reprocess the memory in a safe environment, so your brain understands that the event is in the past.
To do this, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, which means engaging both sides of your brain—often with eye movements, but sometimes with tapping or sounds.
This process helps your brain file the memory away properly, so it no longer feels like an emergency every time you think about it.
What Happens in an EMDR Session?
EMDR follows a structured eight-phase process. Here’s what that looks like in plain language:
1. History and Planning
Your therapist will talk with you about your symptoms, your history, and what you want to work on. This helps create a plan that feels safe for you.
2. Preparation
Before diving into trauma memories, your therapist will teach you coping strategies—like grounding techniques or calming exercises—so you feel in control during the process.
3. Assessment
Together, you’ll choose a specific memory to target. You’ll also identify the negative belief tied to that memory (for example, “I’m not safe”) and what positive belief you’d like to have instead (like “I am safe now”).
4. Desensitization (The Eye Movement Part)
This is where the magic happens! Your therapist will ask you to focus on the memory while following their hand with your eyes (or using taps or tones). This back-and-forth movement activates both sides of your brain while you process the memory.
5. Installation
Once the memory feels less distressing, you’ll work on strengthening the positive belief you chose earlier.
6. Body Scan
You’ll check in with your body to notice if any tension or distress is left. The goal is to feel calm and neutral about the memory.
7. Closure
At the end of each session, your therapist will make sure you feel grounded and safe before you leave.
8. Re-evaluation
At your next session, you and your therapist will review how you’re feeling and what progress you’ve made.
Does EMDR Really Work?
Yes! EMDR is backed by a lot of research and is recommended by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association for treating PTSD. Many people notice significant improvement in just a few sessions.
Will I Have to Relive My Trauma?
This is a common concern. With EMDR, you do not have to tell your therapist every detail of what happened. You’ll think about the memory, but the focus is on how it feels now and helping your brain process it—so you’re not stuck in the past anymore.
Final Thoughts
Healing from trauma is possible. EMDR can help your brain do what it naturally wants to do: heal. If you’re curious about EMDR or wondering if it’s right for you, reach out to a qualified EMDR therapist.
You deserve peace—and EMDR can be a powerful tool to help you get there.
✅ Quick Summary
EMDR helps process traumatic memories so they no longer control your life.
It uses eye movements or similar techniques to activate both sides of your brain.
You don’t have to share every detail of your trauma to benefit.
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