EMDR: Introducing a Transformative Approach to Healing Beyond Trauma
Just a few months ago, while catching up on one of my favorite television series, Law & Order SVU, I watched Olivia Benson meet her therapist for a session of EMDR. This really excited me and caused me to take some time to be grateful for this amazing clinical tool being recognized publicly!
So I would like to take a moment to introduce you to one of my most favorite therapy techniques, EMDR.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy has increasingly gained recognition as a powerful tool for emotional healing and psychological relief. Originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — most commonly in the form of guided eye movements or tapping — to help clients process and reframe distressing memories or emotional blockages. While EMDR was first known for its application in trauma therapy, its benefits extend well beyond trauma-specific clients and have shown particularly promising outcomes in women’s mental and physical health.
In my four years of practicing EMDR, I have observed remarkable shifts in my clients’ healing trajectories. Many of those who previously felt immobilized in their therapeutic progress — despite years of talk therapy — began to pivot in meaningful ways after incorporating EMDR.
What is most striking is not just the psychological breakthroughs, but also the physical relief that some clients have experience. I’ve worked with individuals who reported chronic pain, fatigue, migraines, or body tension — symptoms that significantly lessened after several EMDR sessions. This aligns with growing research suggesting that unprocessed emotional distress can manifest physically, and that trauma-informed somatic therapies like EMDR can help restore balance to both mind and body.
Women, in particular, often face a complex intersection of stress, hormonal shifts, caregiving roles, and unresolved trauma — both personal and generational. EMDR offers a structured yet adaptable framework to navigate these layers. It allows space for emotional processing without the need to verbally recount every painful detail, which can be especially beneficial for those who feel overwhelmed or retraumatized by traditional talk therapy.
In my practice, I’ve seen EMDR help women reconnect with their inner strength, reduce anxiety, regulate moods, and find clarity amid being emotional overwhelmed.
Another notable advantage of EMDR is its application with clients who are not dealing with a specific traumatic event. Many people carry internalized beliefs or emotional residues from past experiences that don’t meet the clinical definition of trauma but still significantly impact daily life. Feelings of inadequacy, fear of failure, perfectionism, or longstanding grief can become barriers to growth and happiness.
Personally, I have chosen this modality to explore emotional barriers in my own life. EMDR has assisted me with identifying negative thought patterns and unprocessed negative experiences from my own childhood. EMDR helps gently challenge and reprocess these beliefs, often resulting in renewed confidence and emotional relief.
While EMDR is not a one-size-fits-all solution, its core principles — such as adaptive information processing, bilateral stimulation, and a phased treatment model — offer a safe and effective approach for many individuals. It is especially suited for clients ready to move beyond insight and into transformation. Sessions are paced according to each person’s needs, and progress is continually reassessed to ensure the client’s comfort and safety.
In summary, EMDR is more than just a trauma therapy. It is a holistic method that addresses the emotional, cognitive, and sometimes even physical dimensions of healing. For women and non-trauma-specific clients alike, it opens a door to change where traditional methods may have reached a standstill. It has been a profound honor to witness these transformations firsthand and to walk with clients as they reclaim peace, power, and purpose in their lives.
LaShun Franklin, MA, LLP, is a master-level psychotherapist who helps clients confront life’s challenges head-on, specializing in mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, grief, and trauma. With a strong faith-based foundation and certifications in psychology, marriage and family therapy, and trauma care, she uses proven techniques like CBT and EMDR to guide individuals, couples, and families toward healing and purpose. For appointments, contact lashunfranklin@gmail.com or call 734-219-3198.