Discover how Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy helps people process traumatic memories and move forward with greater clarity and emotional relief.
For many individuals, trauma is not just a memory—it’s a weight that affects how they think, feel, and interact with the world. Whether it stems from a single overwhelming event or a series of distressing experiences, trauma can leave a lasting imprint. If you’re looking for a research-backed, structured therapy that directly addresses traumatic experiences, EMDR therapy may be a powerful path forward. At Dr. Messina & Associates in Southlake and Flower Mound, our licensed therapists provide EMDR therapy to help patients heal from trauma, anxiety, and emotional distress.
Understanding EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro. It is specifically designed to help people process distressing memories that remain “stuck” in the brain and nervous system, often contributing to ongoing emotional suffering.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require patients to describe the traumatic event in detail. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation—typically eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones—to help the brain process and reframe these distressing experiences. Over time, the emotional charge associated with the memory decreases, allowing individuals to think about the event without feeling overwhelmed or re-triggered.
Who Is EMDR Therapy For?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was originally developed as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Over time, its effectiveness has extended beyond PTSD, proving to be a powerful therapeutic tool for individuals facing a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties.
EMDR is particularly beneficial for people who continue to be emotionally affected by past experiences, even when they occurred years ago. If certain memories still provoke distress, trigger anxiety, or shape your self-perception in negative ways, EMDR therapy may help you process these experiences and move forward.
Conditions commonly treated with EMDR include:
- Trauma from abuse or accidents – Whether it’s childhood abuse, domestic violence, or a car accident, EMDR helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories that continue to feel overwhelming or intrusive.
- Grief and complicated loss – For those struggling to move through the grieving process after a death, divorce, or other significant loss, EMDR can ease the emotional pain while honoring the memory of the loss.
- Panic attacks – EMDR may reduce the intensity and frequency of panic attacks by targeting root causes and desensitizing emotional triggers stored in the nervous system.
- Phobias – When irrational fears interfere with daily functioning, EMDR can help uncover and neutralize the memories or beliefs fueling those fears.
- Performance anxiety – Whether in academics, athletics, or public speaking, EMDR helps reduce the anxiety associated with high-pressure situations by addressing subconscious fears of failure, judgment, or rejection.
- Depression and anxiety disorders – While not a cure-all, EMDR can help reduce symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety, especially when those symptoms are linked to earlier experiences or internalized negative beliefs.
- Negative self-beliefs and low self-esteem – EMDR is especially effective in targeting long-standing negative thoughts such as “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t trust anyone.” These beliefs are often rooted in past relational or emotional wounds and can be reprocessed with EMDR to build a healthier self-image.
If you’ve ever said to yourself, “I know it’s in the past, but I just can’t let it go,” EMDR may be an ideal fit for your healing journey. One of its key advantages is that it does not require detailed descriptions of the painful events. This makes EMDR particularly accessible for those who find it difficult to talk openly about their trauma or distress.
At Dr. Messina & Associates in Southlake and Flower Mound, our trained EMDR therapists tailor each treatment plan to your unique emotional history and therapeutic goals. Whether you’re dealing with recent trauma or long-standing psychological patterns, EMDR therapy offers a structured, evidence-based path to help you gain relief and long-term resilience.
If past experiences are still affecting how you feel, think, or respond in the present, it may be time to explore EMDR as part of your treatment plan. We’re here to help you take that next step—safely, compassionately, and at your pace.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
EMDR therapy is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which suggests that traumatic memories can become “frozen” in the brain in their original emotional state. These unprocessed memories continue to affect current thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.
EMDR helps “unlock” these memories by stimulating both sides of the brain through bilateral stimulation while the patient focuses on aspects of the traumatic memory. This process is thought to mimic the brain’s natural way of processing memories during REM sleep, where eye movement plays a critical role in organizing and integrating information.
Here’s what a typical EMDR process looks like:
- History and Treatment Planning: The therapist gathers information about the client’s background, symptoms, and key distressing experiences to create a targeted treatment plan.
- Preparation: Clients are educated about EMDR, taught grounding techniques, and prepared to manage emotions that may surface during sessions.
- Assessment: The therapist and client identify specific target memories to process, along with associated negative beliefs and physical sensations.
- Desensitization: The client focuses on the traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation (eye movements or other methods). The therapist guides the process and monitors the client’s response.
- Installation: Once the memory becomes less distressing, the therapist helps the client strengthen positive beliefs related to the experience, such as “I am safe now” or “I am in control.”
- Body Scan and Closure: The therapist ensures the client feels stable and grounded before the session ends.
- Reevaluation: In the following sessions, the therapist checks progress and determines whether more processing is needed.
What Makes EMDR Different?
Unlike some traditional therapies that rely heavily on conversation, EMDR is focused and time-efficient. Patients often report significant progress in fewer sessions than other modalities. Additionally, EMDR therapy can be used alongside other forms of therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to build a well-rounded treatment plan.
Many people appreciate EMDR’s structure and the fact that it helps them address painful experiences without having to recount every detail. The goal isn’t to forget what happened—but to no longer feel trapped by it.
EMDR Therapy at Dr. Messina & Associates
At Dr. Messina & Associates, we offer EMDR therapy through licensed and specially trained clinicians. Each patient undergoes a personalized assessment so we can determine whether EMDR is appropriate for their situation. If it is, we develop a comprehensive plan that supports them throughout the process.
Our Southlake and Flower Mound offices provide a professional, safe, and compassionate environment where individuals can work through difficult emotions with confidence. Whether you’ve experienced trauma recently or you’re carrying something from years past, our team is here to support your healing journey.
Call Dr. Messina & Associates to Schedule an EMDR Therapy Consultation
If you’ve been struggling with the lingering effects of trauma or emotional distress, you don’t have to face it alone. EMDR therapy may be the key to helping you move forward with strength and clarity. Reach out to our team in Southlake or Flower Mound, TX, and schedule a consultation to explore whether EMDR therapy is right for you.
