You’re a Wizard Candace: How EMDR changed my life, then my practice

#CPTSD, emdr, emotional-wellness, mental-health, ptsd, the-trauma-compass, therapy, thetraumacompass, trauma, trauma-recovery

What’s the Deal with EMDR?

When I mentioned starting this blog, one of my clients asked, “Will you talk about EMDR?” While it wasn’t part of my initial plan for early posts, I realized it needed to be. So here I am, writing about this therapy that’s been called everything from “revolutionary” to “too good to be true.” This is my first post on the subject, but it certainly won’t be the last or the most informative.

Let’s be honest—when you first hear about EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), it sounds a little… weird. Moving your eyes back and forth to feel better? Really? It can sound about as believable as one of those “miracle cure” ads. I’ll admit I was skeptical, too. But let me tell you, this “weird” therapy is anything but snake oil.

My Journey to EMDR

Before I started EMDR, I was doing all the things to try to “adult” as best I could. I’d done talk therapy, CBT, group therapy with somatic components, and medication. While they were helpful, I was still stuck, replaying disturbing memories daily and carrying the weight of trauma I couldn’t shake.

I finally sought out EMDR after experiencing what I now understand as reactive abuse (when someone pushes you to the breaking point and then blames your reaction to paint you as the problem). I knew therapy wouldn’t change the other person, but I needed it to help me change me.

I stumbled across an EMDR therapist, and while I’d known it was empirically supported, I hadn’t experienced it firsthand. I wasn’t prepared for how transformative it would be. Suddenly, those memories that haunted me daily lost their intensity. The weight I’d been carrying for so long lifted. For the first time, I went home thinking I could care for myself instead of believing I was broken, useless, or monstrous.

The Science Behind the “Sorcery”

I get it—EMDR sounds ridiculous at first. One of my clients even said, “What is this sorcery?” after their first session. But the science behind EMDR is fascinating. Trauma impacts our memory system (the hippocampus), leaving specific experiences stuck and in limbo. When something triggers those memories, it feels like we’re reliving the emotions, physical sensations, and thoughts all over again.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—moving your eyes back and forth, tapping on either side of your body, or even alternating sounds (Picture of my equipment ->)—to bring those stuck memories to your brain’s processing system. Instead of reliving the experience, your brain gets a chance to process it fully, filing it away like any other memory. It’s kind of like being able to reference it in a book; you don’t forget that it’s happened, but you can turn the page.

Think of it like a cringe-worthy high school memory. Without EMDR, remembering it feels like being back in that awkward moment, reliving the shame, embarrassment, and discomfort. With EMDR, you can watch the memory as if it were a movie. You may feel some things because what happened was cringeworthy, but you can move forward with your day without the physical sensations or feelings taking even a moment of your time.

Why EMDR Matters

When I experienced the life-changing effects of EMDR, I knew I couldn’t keep it out of my therapy practice. It’s practical, engaging, and fast. My clients who’ve used EMDR often describe it as transformative, and I’ve seen it help them process trauma in ways that traditional methods couldn’t.

EMDR reminds us that our brain is an organ, and just like other parts of our body, it needs care and attention when it’s not functioning correctly. Trauma can leave us feeling stuck, hopeless, or questioning whether we’ll ever get better. EMDR works from the inside out, giving your brain the tools to heal itself.

EMDR may sound strange, but it’s one of the most effective therapies for trauma recovery. Whether you’re curious about trying it or want to understand how it works, this blog is here to help demystify the process—and maybe even make it less intimidating.