Advanced EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a cutting-edge therapeutic approach that has been extensively researched for treating not only trauma but a wide range of mental health issues. Developed in the late 1980s, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—such as eye movements left to right—to help the brain reprocess unresolved memories and experiences. This structured, evidence-based approach allows clients to heal from distressing life events and emotional challenges in a safe and supportive environment.

Brain imaging research looking at eye movement bilateral stimulation has discovered there are two things happening simultaneously:

  1. Parts of the brain responsible for vivid memory recall are activated (Pagani et al., 2012).

  2. Parts of the brain responsible for intense, overwhelming emotion are suppressed (de Voogd et al., 2018).

The result is a brain state that’s ripe for healing and growth, allowing our inner healing intelligence to show up and do it’s work efficiently.

The foundation of EMDR is the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) theory, which explains how the brain naturally processes and integrates experiences. However, when trauma or stress disrupts this process, memories and experiences can become "stuck," leading to a range of symptoms such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain, addictive behaviors, and even performance blocks (or yips). EMDR helps the brain reprocess these unresolved experiences, allowing for emotional regulation, cognitive clarity, and symptom relief across a variety of conditions.

 

Memory Reconsolidation

EMDR has been shown to reconsolidate and store memories in the brain more adaptively. When recalling the same traumatic memory pre and post EMDR, brain activity moves from the primitive 'fight or flight' part of the brain, to the more adaptive neo-cortex.

 

Special Applications with EMDR at Helicon

In the private Helicon Directory, the providers listed are supported to specialize in advanced EMDR treatments that go beyond trauma recovery. Our unique approach helps clients overcome challenges in various areas of life, providing profound, lasting healing and enhanced future performance and resilience.

 
 

Performance Enhancement

EMDR isn’t just for trauma—it’s a proven tool for performance enhancement. Whether you're an athlete or professional, EMDR helps reduce anxiety, overcome mental blocks, and improve focus.

Studies show that EMDR significantly reduces performance anxiety and enhances physical and mental performance in high-pressure environments. Research demonstrates improved performance and anxiety reduction​ (EMDR International Association, ResearchGate) while other studies highlight EMDR’s success in restoring workplace performance (EMDR International Association).

EMDR for Performance Enhancement helps clients break through limiting beliefs and achieve optimal performance in competitive or stressful environments.

 

Pain Management

EMDR is increasingly being used to treat chronic pain by targeting both the emotional and neurological components of pain. Research shows that EMDR can be effective in managing conditions such as fibromyalgia and migraine, in addition to other chronic pain disorders. A systematic review demonstrated significant improvements in pain perception and overall mental health following EMDR treatment​ (Frontiers, EMDR International Association). Additionally, studies show that EMDR can disrupt the neural pathways that reinforce chronic pain, leading to lasting relief for conditions like fibromyalgia and migraine​.

EMDR for Pain Management integrates standard EMDR protocols with specialized approaches designed to reframe the pain experience, helping clients achieve long-term symptom relief.

 

Addiction Recovery

Many addictions are rooted in adverse life experiences, and EMDR helps address the emotional triggers that fuel substance use. Studies show that EMDR, when integrated into addiction treatment, can significantly reduce cravings and the risk of relapse​ (Europe PMC, EMDR International Association).


EMDR for Addiction Recovery reprocesses troubling memories and stressors, helping clients heal and break free from the cycle of addiction. Additionally, it targets positive feeling states associated with addictive behavior to desensitize and identify underlying emotional triggers, while addressing unresolved issues.

 

Psychedelic Integration

EMDR for Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI) leverages the neuroplastic window that opens after psychedelic experiences. During this window, the brain is more receptive to new insights, emotional shifts, and adaptive healing, which creates a unique opportunity for deeper therapeutic work. EMDR helps clients make the most of this neuroplastic period by supporting the integration of psychedelic insights into their daily lives, facilitating lasting change (Francine Shapiro Library, EMDR UK).

In addition to supporting adaptive healing, EMDR also plays a crucial role in resolving distressing outcomes that can emerge from psychedelic sessions. Clients may experience difficult emotions or unsettling realizations during their psychedelic experiences, and EMDR helps reprocess these distressing memories, allowing them to be stored in a more adaptive way​ (EMDR UK).

By combining the neuroplastic benefits of psychedelics with the structured protocols of EMDR, clients can achieve more profound and lasting transformations. Note: we dot not offer psychedelics. We offer EMDR services to clients who may independently pursue psychedelic treatments.

 

Depression and Suicidal Ideation

EMDR is effective in treating depression, especially when trauma is a contributing factor. Research shows that EMDR can significantly reduce depressive symptoms by addressing unresolved emotional patterns, offering hope for those who have not responded to other treatments​ (Frontiers).

For individuals experiencing suicidal ideation, EMDR has also been shown to reduce the intensity and frequency of suicidal thoughts. Studies have demonstrated that clients undergoing EMDR therapy report improved emotional regulation and self-efficacy, leading to a significant decrease in suicidal ideation​ (EMDR International Association).

 

Early Trauma Intervention

EMDR has proven to be highly effective as an early intervention for trauma, significantly reducing the risk of long-term psychological harm. By addressing trauma soon after it occurs, EMDR helps clients process disturbing events before they become deeply entrenched, preventing the development of more severe symptoms such as PTSD. Research shows that early intervention with EMDR can lead to faster recovery and reduced symptom severity​ (Springer).

EMDR’s Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP) and Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) are particularly useful for early interventions, helping individuals and groups process traumatic events shortly after they happen, promoting adaptive healing and resilience (EMDR Therapy Quarterly, Springer).

 

What to Expect from the Vetted EMDR Therapists in our Directory

The typical EMDR process is divided into eight structured phases, designed to ensure clients safely and effectively process distressing memories. This process is adaptable to the client’s needs, whether the goal is trauma resolution, performance enhancement, pain management, addiction recovery, or other challenges.

1. History Taking and Treatment Planning

In the first phase, the therapist will gather a detailed history of your symptoms, past experiences, and current challenges. Together, you will identify specific memories, stressors, or situations that need to be reprocessed.

  • Special Applications: For clients focused on performance enhancement, this phase may also involve identifying limiting beliefs or performance blocks. In pain management, we may focus on how pain has disrupted daily life and emotional wellbeing. For addiction recovery, early experiences of trauma or emotional distress fueling substance use will be key areas for exploration.

2. Preparation

The therapist will teach you relaxation techniques and grounding exercises to help you feel safe and in control during the process. Understanding the EMDR process, including how bilateral stimulation works, will help reduce any anxiety about the upcoming sessions.

  • Special Applications: For clients exploring psychedelic integration, preparation may also involve reflecting on prior psychedelic experiences and preparing for potential insights or emotional material. In depression and suicidal ideation cases, additional attention will be paid to stabilizing safety and emotional regulation.

3. Assessment

During this phase, you’ll identify specific memories, images, or thoughts connected to your distress, along with the negative beliefs associated with them. The goal is to replace these negative beliefs with positive ones.

  • Special Applications: For clients seeking early trauma intervention, therapists focus on recent events to prevent the consolidation of distressing memories. In addiction recovery, this may involve targeting the emotional triggers or cravings tied to substance use.

4. Desensitization

In this phase, bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or taps) is used to help you reprocess the targeted memory. As you recall the memory, the brain reprocesses it to reduce its emotional intensity.

  • Special Applications: For chronic pain management, desensitization may help reduce the emotional weight tied to pain experiences, allowing clients to shift their relationship with their physical symptoms. In performance enhancement, this phase can help reduce anxiety around past failures, injuries, or high-pressure situations.

5. Installation

Once the memory is desensitized, we install positive beliefs to replace the old negative thoughts. This helps reinforce adaptive, healthy patterns of thinking.

  • Special Applications: In performance enhancement, the focus may be on installing beliefs around confidence, focus, and success. For clients undergoing psychedelic integration, this phase solidifies insights gained from their psychedelic experiences into positive, actionable beliefs.

6. Body Scan

Your therapist will guide you through a body scan to check for lingering physical sensations connected to the reprocessed memory. If any discomfort remains, additional reprocessing may be necessary.

  • Special Applications: For pain management, the body scan is particularly useful for noticing and releasing tension, discomfort, or pain connected to emotional experiences. In early trauma intervention, this phase helps identify any somatic responses to recently processed traumatic events.

7. Closure

At the end of each session, your therapist will guide you through relaxation techniques to ensure you leave feeling calm and grounded. If the memory hasn’t been fully processed, containment techniques will be used until the next session.

  • Special Applications: For clients working through suicidal ideation or depression, closure techniques are particularly important to ensure emotional stabilization between sessions.

8. Reevaluation

At the start of each new session, your therapist will check in on your progress and reevaluate any remaining triggers or symptoms that need to be addressed. This phase ensures that the work continues to deepen and evolve.

  • Special Applications: For addiction recovery, this phase may focus on reevaluating triggers, cravings, or emotional regulation. In performance enhancement, it can help track progress in managing high-stress situations or boosting confidence.

 

Experience Advanced EMDR with Helicon Vetted Therapists


At Helicon we support independent EMDR providers to offer personalized, research-backed EMDR treatments that address a variety of challenges. Whether you're seeking support for performance enhancement, pain management, addiction recovery, or other issues, therapists in our directory can discuss specialized EMDR approaches designed to guide you toward lasting transformation.

Let us help you and your team thrive!

 

FAQ

  • The elements of ART that are meant to distinguish it from EMDR are easily incorporated by EMDR therapists and ART is often interpreted by skilled EMDR providers as another EMDR protocol. Many providers in our directory are trained to understand these modifications and apply them as necessary to create a custom healing experience.

  • When EMDR is being applied clients can experience resolution within just a few sessions, but we encourage a few months of ongoing therapy to help fully integrate treatments into daily life and ensure long-term change. 30 sessions over the course of 6-12 months tends to be a good rule of thumb for long-term, meaningful change, but every situation is different and we customize therapy accordingly.

  • Under the care of an inexperienced provider, this can occur, but the risk is greatly mitigated with therapists who have extensive experience and training. All of the vetted therapists in our directory are EMDR trained, experienced, and incentivized to pursue additional training and consultation to support them as advanced EMDR therapists - improving outcomes and greatly reducing potential risk of harm.