What to Expect After EMDR
EMDR therapy heals trauma, but a lot of the work happens after the sessions are complete. Knowing what to expect after your sessions will help you navigate the process with less confusion. The therapy itself focuses on reprocessing traumatic memories through bilateral stimulation. However, the real transformation often unfolds in the days and weeks that follow.
If you're considering or currently undergoing EMDR therapy, understanding what happens next will help you maximize your progress.
What Is Reprocessing?
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR, is a structured therapeutic approach designed to help you process distressing memories and experiences. During a session, you will be guided through recalling specific memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, typically through guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones.
This technique helps your brain reprocess traumatic material in a way that reduces its emotional charge. A typical session involves identifying target memories, activating them, and then processing them while maintaining dual attention between the memory and the present moment.
First 24 Hours: What to Know
Right after an EMDR therapy session, you might notice some immediate responses. Many clients report feeling tired or emotionally drained, which is a completely normal experience. Your brain has been working hard to process difficult material, and this takes considerable mental energy.
Some people experience a sense of relief or lightness, while others feel temporarily unsettled as their mind continues to integrate the processed information. You may also notice vivid dreams or increased emotional awareness in the hours following treatment.
New Insights Become Deeper
In the days after your session, your brain continues the reprocessing work started in the office. This is sometimes referred to as the consolidation period. The following are normal occurrences after therapy:
Experiencing shifts in how you view past events
Feeling emotional waves that come and go
Having memories surface that connect to what is processed
Noticing new insights or perspectives about your trauma
These experiences are signs that your mind is actively healing and reorganizing information. Some clients describe it as pieces of a puzzle finally fitting together.
Recalibrating Your System
As your nervous system recalibrates after EMDR therapy, you may notice physical sensations. Expect your nervous system to recalibrate. This can release old tension, resulting in relaxation—or sometimes, temporary physical discomfort as your body adjusts.
Emotionally, the landscape can be varied. You might feel more present and grounded, or conversely, temporary anxiety and sadness can also surface. These fluctuations are a normal part of the healing process as your mind actively works through stored trauma.
Life After EMDR: What Changes?
Over the longer term, most people find that the distressing memories targeted lose their emotional intensity. You'll likely discover triggers that once caused significant reactions now feel more manageable. The intrusive thoughts and flashbacks that characterized your complex trauma or PTSD may decrease in frequency and intensity.
Your relationships may shift as you develop new patterns of responding to stress and making connections. Many clients report feeling more like themselves, no longer operating from a place of survival but from a space of genuine choice and presence.
Self-Care Between Sessions
Between sessions, taking care of yourself becomes especially important. Maintain good sleep hygiene, stay connected to supportive people in your life, and practice grounding techniques as needed. Journaling about your experiences can help you identify patterns and gain valuable insights.
Expect ups and downs in your recovery. Some weeks will feel more challenging than others. The work of EMDR therapy is profound, and your nervous system needs time to adjust to new ways of being.
Are You Ready for a Reset?
If you're experiencing symptoms of trauma and wondering whether this therapy might be right for you, call to schedule an appointment. Together, we can explore how EMDR therapy can effectively help you work through trauma and build a life led by choice, not reaction.