Are you struggling with anxious thoughts that won’t go away, sudden panic that seems to strike out of nowhere, or intrusive memories that keep looping in your mind? These symptoms can feel overwhelming, isolating, and difficult to explain. For many people, anxiety and panic aren’t just occasional; they’re daily disruptions that affect everything from sleep to relationships to self-worth.
At Dr. Messina & Associates, with locations in Southlake and Flower Mound, Texas, our trained therapists offer a specialized approach to healing through Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMDR is a highly researched, evidence-based treatment that helps people process the root causes of their anxiety and panic without having to relive painful memories in detail. Whether you’re dealing with trauma-related anxiety or intense intrusive thoughts, EMDR may offer a structured path to feeling in control again.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy was originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it has since been found effective for a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges, including generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and intrusive thoughts. The goal of EMDR is to help your brain reprocess distressing experiences so that they no longer trigger overwhelming emotional or physiological responses.
EMDR involves eight structured phases, including history-taking, preparation, and desensitization. During a typical EMDR session, your therapist will guide you through bilateral stimulation, often through eye movements or gentle tapping, while you focus on a distressing memory, thought, or feeling. The bilateral stimulation is believed to help your brain “unlock” and reprocess emotional material that has been stored in an unhelpful or fragmented way.
You don’t need to verbally share every detail of the distressing experience for EMDR to work. That’s one of the key reasons it’s so helpful for individuals dealing with intrusive thoughts or panic attacks tied to memories that are difficult to put into words.
How EMDR Helps Anxiety and Panic
Anxiety and panic attacks can often stem from unresolved experiences—past events that your brain wasn’t able to process at the time due to fear, overwhelm, or trauma. These unprocessed experiences can get “stuck” and re-emerge in the form of irrational fear, physical tension, or intrusive mental imagery.
EMDR helps by reducing the emotional charge of these memories and retraining the brain to see them as non-threatening. Over time, the triggers that once caused panic or anxiety begin to feel less powerful. People often describe a sense of relief, lightness, or clarity following EMDR sessions—like the emotional “sting” has been removed from their thoughts.
For panic disorder specifically, EMDR can target the core memories or beliefs that contribute to feelings of helplessness or impending doom. Once those are resolved, patients often report a decrease in both the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.
Intrusive Thoughts: Why EMDR Works So Well
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, repetitive, and often distressing ideas or mental images. They might include fears about harm, contamination, or loss of control—and they can be incredibly hard to manage. Many people with intrusive thoughts feel ashamed, believing these thoughts reflect who they are (they don’t).
EMDR is uniquely effective for intrusive thoughts because it does not require you to argue with or “logic through” the thought. Instead, it allows your brain to reprocess the original experience or belief that created the vulnerability in the first place.
This can help reduce the emotional reactivity of the thought and weaken its hold on your mind. The thought may still exist, but it loses its power—and you gain distance from it, instead of being pulled into fear or compulsive behavior.
What to Expect in an EMDR Session
At Dr. Messina & Associates, your first EMDR session won’t begin with eye movements right away. First, your therapist will spend time understanding your symptoms, history, and treatment goals. This may include identifying specific memories, body sensations, or intrusive thoughts that seem to trigger anxiety or panic.
Once a target has been identified and you’ve been introduced to calming techniques, your therapist will begin the bilateral stimulation process. You remain in control the entire time and can pause or stop at any point.
As you go through EMDR sessions, you may find that the memory becomes less disturbing, your emotional reactions soften, and you gain new insights or connections. Many patients are surprised at how rapid and lasting the results can be, especially for symptoms they’ve been battling for years.
Is EMDR Right for You?
If you’ve tried traditional talk therapy but still feel stuck in cycles of fear, anxiety, or panic, EMDR may offer something different. It’s especially helpful if:
- You’ve experienced trauma or loss that still affects your day-to-day life.
- You feel triggered by situations but don’t know why.
- You deal with panic attacks or intense anxiety.
- You struggle with obsessive or intrusive thoughts.
- You’ve found it difficult to talk about painful experiences in therapy.
EMDR is not a “quick fix,” but many people notice significant relief in a shorter timeframe than other therapeutic approaches. It’s collaborative, empowering, and tailored to your unique experiences.
Call to Schedule an EMDR Therapy Appointment for Anxiety, Panic, or Intrusive Thoughts
If you’re living with anxiety that doesn’t let up, sudden panic attacks that feel out of your control, or intrusive thoughts that leave you questioning your sanity—you don’t have to go through it alone. EMDR therapy offers a structured, research-backed, and compassionate path forward.
Our team of licensed therapists and psychologists in Southlake and Flower Mound are trained in EMDR and ready to help you feel safer, calmer, and more in control of your life. Whether this is your first time seeking therapy or you’re returning after previous treatments, we’ll meet you where you are and walk with you toward healing.
Contact us today to learn more or to schedule your first EMDR consultation.
