When the Past Won’t Let Go: How EMDR Offers Relief from Trauma
Many people walk through life carrying invisible wounds. Trauma doesn’t always come from one big event—it can also come from smaller, repeated experiences like childhood neglect, bullying, or emotional abuse. And when those experiences are left untreated, they can evolve into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, panic attacks, or chronic pain.
According to the National Center for PTSD, about 6% of the U.S. population will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. And among veterans, that number jumps to up to 20% in any given year.
Even more alarming? Trauma survivors are 3 to 5 times more likely to develop depression. These people may look fine on the outside—but inside, they’re fighting battles every day.
That’s where Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy comes in. Backed by science and proven in clinical trials, EMDR helps individuals process trauma in a new, safe way. It’s fast, effective, and covered by many insurance plans, including those in Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, and Gilbert.
“Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence.” – Dr. Peter Levine
What Is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)?
EMDR is a structured therapy that helps people heal from trauma or distressing life experiences by using bilateral stimulation, usually through guided eye movements, tapping, or sounds. While the person recalls a traumatic memory, the therapist helps the brain reprocess it so it no longer feels overwhelming.
The technique was developed by Francine Shapiro, PhD, in the late 1980s, and since then, it has become one of the most well-researched trauma therapies in the world.
How EMDR Works:
- A therapist helps you access a painful memory.
- While thinking about that memory, you follow a back-and-forth visual or auditory cue (like finger movement or beeping).
- This activates both sides of your brain (left and right hemisphere).
- Over time, the emotional intensity of the memory drops significantly, and your brain rewires how it’s stored.
This isn’t hypnosis or talk therapy—it’s a reprocessing experience that helps the brain do what it couldn’t do during the trauma: sort, store, and move on.
EMDR Therapy for PTSD and Depression: Why It Works
PTSD doesn’t just affect soldiers or survivors of war. It affects people who’ve lived through:
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Car accidents
- Natural disasters
- Medical trauma
- Emotional or psychological neglect
One of the key benefits of EMDR therapy for PTSD is that it does not require you to talk through every detail of your trauma. That makes it a powerful option for those who’ve felt retraumatized in traditional talk therapy settings.
Real-World Stats:
- A 2014 meta-analysis found that EMDR was just as effective—or more—than CBT for PTSD.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) endorses EMDR as a first-line treatment for trauma.
- 85–90% of people with single-event trauma see results in just 3 to 6 sessions.
It’s also effective for treating co-occurring depression, which is common in those with unresolved trauma.
Is EMDR the Right Choice for You?
If you’re dealing with symptoms like nightmares, flashbacks, emotional numbness, anxiety, or unexplained rage, EMDR might be a fit. And if you’ve tried therapy or medication without relief, EMDR offers a different path forward.
People in Scottsdale, Gilbert, and the greater Phoenix area come to Bella Vida TMS because we offer more than one approach. We meet you where you are. And we don’t just offer EMDR—we also provide TMS therapy and ketamine treatment for people battling treatment-resistant depression or complex trauma.
How EMDR and TMS Work Together
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and EMDR can be used together for greater effect. While EMDR helps you reprocess emotional trauma, TMS targets underactive areas of the brain involved in mood regulation.
This dual approach:
- Improves symptom relief
- Reduces depression and anxiety
- Helps regulate sleep and motivation
- Speeds up recovery
And if trauma has left you feeling stuck emotionally or physically, ketamine therapy may help unlock those stuck patterns so EMDR can go deeper.
What to Expect During EMDR Therapy
👣 Step-by-Step Overview:
- Initial evaluation: Your therapist will learn about your history and goals.
- Preparation phase: You’ll learn relaxation techniques to manage emotions.
- Target selection: You’ll identify which memories to work on.
- Desensitization phase: You’ll follow guided eye movements while recalling the memory.
- Reprocessing: Your therapist helps you replace distress with calm.
Most sessions last about 60–90 minutes, and many people begin to feel relief in just a few visits.
Is EMDR Therapy Covered by Insurance?
Yes! EMDR therapy is covered by most major insurance plans. At Bella Vida TMS, our team will verify your benefits, submit paperwork, and help you understand your co-pays or deductibles—so you can focus on healing.
We work with:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Aetna
- UnitedHealthcare
- Cigna
- AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid)
If you live in Phoenix, Glendale, or nearby, we’ll help you get started with little to no delay.
TMS, EMDR, or Ketamine? We Help You Choose
Not sure which treatment is right for you? That’s okay.
At Bella Vida TMS, we’re here to guide—not push. Some patients start with EMDR, then layer in TMS. Others begin ketamine therapy to reduce symptom intensity and later transition into trauma reprocessing.
Every treatment is personalized, and our goal is to help you feel safe, respected, and supported through it all.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
PTSD, trauma, and depression don’t just go away on their own. Without the right care, they can get worse—damaging your relationships, your career, and your hope for the future.
With Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), you don’t have to stay stuck. You can find relief, often in weeks—not years.
Whether you’re in Gilbert, Scottsdale, or anywhere across the Valley, the team at Bella Vida TMS is here to help. We offer EMDR, TMS, ketamine, and talk therapy—and we’ll work with your insurance to make it accessible.
❓ What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy?
Answer:
EMDR is a type of psychotherapy that helps people heal from trauma, PTSD, and other emotional distress by using bilateral stimulation—usually guided eye movements. It allows the brain to reprocess painful memories in a safe way, so they no longer feel overwhelming. EMDR is evidence-based and often leads to faster relief than traditional talk therapy.
❓ How does EMDR therapy for PTSD work?
Answer:
EMDR therapy for PTSD uses eye movements or tapping while you recall traumatic memories. This helps your brain rewire how those memories are stored, reducing emotional pain and triggers. It doesn’t require you to talk through all the details of your trauma and is proven effective in just a few sessions for many patients.
❓ How many EMDR sessions are needed for PTSD?
Answer:
The number of EMDR sessions varies depending on the individual and the complexity of their trauma. Many people with single-event PTSD experience relief in 6 to 12 sessions, while more complex cases may take longer. Your therapist will create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
❓ Is EMDR therapy covered by insurance?
Answer:
Yes, EMDR therapy is covered by most major insurance plans. At Bella Vida TMS, we help you verify your benefits and handle the paperwork, so you can focus on healing. Whether you’re in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, or Glendale, our team will guide you every step of the way.
❓ Can EMDR therapy be combined with TMS or ketamine treatments?
Answer:
Absolutely. EMDR can be used alongside TMS or ketamine therapy to improve results—especially for people dealing with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, or complex trauma. Bella Vida TMS offers these services under one roof to support a holistic, personalized recovery plan.
📚 References
- American Psychological Association – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/emdr - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – EMDR for PTSD
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand_tx/emdr.asp - National Library of Medicine – EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538248/ - Shapiro, F. (2014). The Role of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in Medicine: Addressing the Psychological and Physical Symptoms Stemming from Adverse Life Experiences.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2014.06.007 - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) – PTSD Guidelines
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng116 - Journal of EMDR Practice and Research
https://connect.springerpub.com/content/sgrjemdr
