What Is EMDR Therapy?
A Beginner’s Guide to Healing from Trauma
Have you heard of EMDR but aren’t sure what actually happens in a session — or whether it could help you? You’re not alone. Many people come to therapy feeling unsure, curious, and hopeful that something might finally help them move past the pain that just won’t let go.
At GR Therapy Collective in Grand Rapids, Michigan, EMDR is one of the core trauma-focused therapies we offer because it helps people gently process painful memories without being overwhelmed by them.
What EMDR Really Is
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. In simple terms, it helps your brain finish what it couldn’t finish at the time of a painful experience. Sometimes trauma gets “stuck,” leaving behind triggers, anxiety, or a sense that you’re always on alert.
EMDR helps the brain re-file those experiences into the past — where they belong — so they stop hijacking your present. You don’t forget what happened, but the memories lose their emotional grip.
What an EMDR Session Can Feel Like
Imagine sitting in a calm, private office. Your therapist invites you to bring to mind a memory that still carries weight — not to relive it, but to notice what comes up while you gently follow their hand movements or a series of light taps.
As the sets of eye movements continue, emotions or body sensations might rise and fall like waves. You’re in control the entire time — able to pause, slow down, or return to grounding at any point. Gradually, the charge around that memory begins to soften.
One client once described it like this:
“It felt like my brain finally got to finish the story — and for the first time, I didn’t feel like I was in danger anymore.”
Afterward, people often report a new sense of distance from what once felt unbearable. They can think about the event without the same rush of fear or shame. The goal isn’t to erase the past, but to make peace with it so it no longer defines you.
🎥 Quick Video: What is EMDR?
Here’s a short, video from the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) that explains EMDR in under 3 minutes:
Note: EMDR may require more preparation for people with high dissociation, ongoing unsafe situations, or limited support. A trained EMDR therapist will move at a pace that feels safe.
Who EMDR Helps
EMDR is effective for a wide range of concerns:
PTSD and trauma (from single events or ongoing experiences)
Anxiety, panic, and phobias
Grief and loss
Chronic stress or burnout
Negative self-beliefs (“I’m not enough,” “I’m unsafe,” “It’s my fault”)
Whether your trauma was big or small, EMDR can help the nervous system reset and find safety again.
What Changes Over Time
As EMDR therapy progresses, many people notice they sleep more soundly, react less to triggers, and feel calmer in their bodies. The sense of being “on edge” fades, replaced with confidence and emotional balance. Relationships often feel easier, and daily life begins to feel lighter.
Take the Next Step
EMDR can help you shift the way the past lives in your body and mind. You don’t have to carry trauma alone.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn if EMDR therapy is right for you.
EMDR Therapy in Grand Rapids, MI
At GR Therapy Collective in Grand Rapids, MI, we offer EMDR therapy for individuals who feel weighed down by the past and ready to heal. Whether you’ve faced a single painful event or years of ongoing stress, EMDR helps your mind and body release what’s been holding you back — creating space for calm, confidence, and connection again.
We offer both in-person sessions in Grand Rapids and secure telehealth therapy across Michigan.
📍 Serving Grand Rapids, Ada, Cascade, East Grand Rapids, and surrounding West Michigan communities.