7 Common Misconceptions About EMDR Therapy — And the Truth Behind Them

By an EMDR Trauma Therapist in Denver, Colorado

Searching for a therapist when you're already struggling is one of the harder things you can ask yourself to do. You're trying to make an important, nuanced decision — often while you're in pain, overwhelmed, or just trying to get through the week. And then the internet hands you thousands of results, each one making a different claim about what works, what doesn't, and what you should be afraid of.

EMDR is a perfect example of this. Spend twenty minutes searching and you'll find pages passionately praising it right alongside others warning you away from it. It can be hard to know who to trust — especially when you're not sure what questions to even ask yet.

That's exactly why we wrote this. If you've been curious about EMDR therapy in Denver but have run into conflicting information, confusing language, or claims that gave you pause, you're not alone.

Below we're breaking down seven of the most common misconceptions we hear — so you can walk into this decision feeling informed and empowered to find the best fit therapeutic space for you.

What Is EMDR Therapy and Why Is There So Much Confusion Around It?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy that uses a defined protocol to help reprocess our initial memory of a distressing event. During this protocol, a trained therapist helps reconnect the memory of the trauma to a more adaptive response than the client has been experiencing. EMDR utilizes bilateral movements (most commonly eye movements and/or hand buzzers/tapping) to support the nervous system through trauma processing.

EMDR can be described as feeling somewhat “woo woo” at first, especially in relation to the bilateral movements pictured above. As a result, there are a lot of misconceptions about EMDR which make it difficult to know what is true and what isn’t about this highly useful therapeutic modality. Let’s break it down.

Common Misconceptions about EMDR Therapy

Misconception #1: EMDR Therapy Is a New, Unproven Treatment

EMDR is based on the observations of Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987. She noticed that she felt less distressed if she moved her eyes back and forth when she was having a distressing thought. Shortly after she made this observation, she began research studies to see if this observation could be generalized and used as a treatment option. It soon became apparent that the protocol developed in the studies had the potential to help treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This therapy is over 30 years old!

Misconception #2: EMDR Isn't Backed by Science or Research

EMDR is one of the most well-researched therapeutic modalities with over 30 years of research showing its effectiveness. EMDR studies suggest that some people’s brains process upsetting events differently resulting in the event or trauma being left unresolved. This model is called Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) and when the brain processes trauma or distress in this manner it can lead to trauma responses. 

Electroencephalograms have shown the changes in brain waves when using EMDR. The eye movements used in the EMDR protocol have been shown to mimic slow-wave sleep patterns in the brain. These patterns are calming to a part of the brain called the amygdala. The amygdala is responsible for processing emotions and when it becomes overwhelmed memories can get stuck in a loop in the amygdala, which can cause flashbacks, nightmares, and other trauma responses. Calming the amygdala while reprocessing distressing events can help the memory get “unstuck” and decrease the emotion associated with the traumatic event.

Misconception #3: EMDR Only Works If You Can Remember Your Trauma

Just because we cannot verbally express what happened during a distressing or traumatic event does not mean we do not remember it. When faced with a threat our brain focuses all its energy on neutralizing or escaping the threat. This means that things like language processing are not “recording” during the event. The good thing is that EMDR is not “talk therapy”. You do not have to verbally relive the event. You only need to be able to reprocess the memory internally, however your brain recorded it. 

Misconception #4: EMDR Is Just Another Form of Hypnosis

Nope. No. Not true. EMDR is a completely different process than hypnosis. When hypnotized we are not completely in control of our conscious or subconscious selves. During EMDR we are completely awake and in control. The aim of the eye movement protocol is not to hypnotize, but to soothe the amygdala and allow the brain to resolve the distressing event. We wrote another blog detailing what an EMDR session feels like and encourage you to take a look if you would like to learn more about the in-the-room experience as a client.

Misconception #5: EMDR Therapy Will Make My Trauma Worse

When following the protocol for EMDR the client might still experience trauma reactions or notice symptoms between sessions. Increased nightmares and dreams are commonly reported. The therapist will teach the client relaxation techniques to use when they do experience symptoms. This is an often-overlooked aspect of EMDR, and it is a very important part of the process. EMDR does not cure trauma in one session, but it should not be making things worse between sessions. It is exhausting to reprocess trauma, so it is essential to practice solid, meaningful self-care when undergoing EMDR treatment. 

Misconception #6: EMDR Therapists Can Plant False Memories

The goal of EMDR therapy is to reprocess old information. It is not about investigating if something happened, nor is it about verifying what happened. The content and accuracy of the memory is not what is important in EMDR — observing your reaction to the memory and calming the nervous system so the trauma can be reprocessed is the important part. Memories are changeable! Simply remembering an event can change the memory, so it is important not to get too hung up on the exact events. This is therapy, not a trial. 

Misconception #7: EMDR Is a One-Session Fix for Trauma

As stated above, EMDR therapy will not “fix” your trauma in one session. There are eight distinct phases to EMDR. It is important that trauma informed therapy be a staged or phased approach to avoid “trauma dumping” which is exactly what it sounds like. If we engage in trauma dumping, we can retraumatize ourselves and cause the therapist’s office to be an unsafe place for us to return to. EMDR is designed to ensure that the client is prepared for the process and has the resources they need to appropriately respond to symptoms. Complex trauma can take longer to work through due to the volume of distressing and associated memories that need to be reprocessed. EMDR does work with trauma more rapidly than other modalities might, but it is unlikely to be a one session cure.

Ready to Start EMDR Therapy in Denver? Here's How to Prepare

Find a Trained EMDR Therapist

Not all therapists who mention EMDR on their websites have the same level of training. Look for a therapist who is fully certified in EMDR, or who has completed EMDR training and is actively being supervised or mentored by a certified EMDR therapist. This distinction matters — EMDR follows a specific eight-phase protocol, and working with someone who knows it well can make a significant difference in how safe and supported you feel throughout the process. If you're not sure what questions to ask, we're always happy to talk you through it.

Understand Your Payment Options

EMDR therapy is most commonly offered on a private pay basis, which means you pay your therapist directly rather than going through insurance. While this might feel like a barrier at first, it actually comes with some real advantages — more flexibility in scheduling, greater privacy, and the freedom to focus entirely on what's right for your healing rather than what a managed care plan will approve.

That said, the cost of trauma therapy shouldn't have to feel out of reach. Here are a few things worth looking into before you begin:

Out-of-network (OON) benefits. If you have a PPO or similar insurance plan, you may have out-of-network benefits that reimburse a portion of your therapy costs. Call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask specifically: "Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits, and what is my reimbursement rate for outpatient therapy?"

HSA and FSA accounts. If you have a health savings or flexible spending account, therapy sessions are typically an eligible expense. This can make private pay much more manageable on a month-to-month basis.

Getting clear on your options before your first session means you can walk in focused on your healing, not worried about the cost.

Loop In Your Closest Support People

EMDR can be genuinely exhausting — emotionally and physically. In the days following a session, you might feel tired, tender, or more sensitive than usual. Having even one or two people in your life who know what you're going through can make a real difference. You don't need to share every detail. Even a simple "I'm doing some deep trauma work and might need extra grace right now" helps the people who love you show up for you in the right ways.

Talk to Your Medical Team

If you work with other healthcare providers — a primary care physician, psychiatrist, cardiologist, or anyone else managing your physical or mental health — it's worth giving them a heads up that you're beginning EMDR. Trauma processing can bring shifts in sleep, mood, and nervous system responses, and your providers will be better equipped to support you if they understand the context. Good care doesn't happen in silos, and your healing is worth the extra conversation.

Build a Regular Self-Care Practice

Think of self-care during EMDR not as a luxury, but as part of the treatment itself. Your nervous system is doing hard work between sessions, and it needs space to recover and integrate. This looks different for everyone. It might be a daily walk, a consistent sleep routine, journaling, meditation, time in nature, or whatever genuinely fills your cup. The goal isn't perfection. It's creating a rhythm that helps you feel grounded and resourced as you move through the process.

Explore EMDR Therapy at CZTG

If you would like to find support for your trauma or distressing memories, EMDR therapy in Denver could be a great next step.

Each of the trauma therapists at CZ Therapy Group can support you in your process of moving through past wounds and deep emotions that lead to trauma responses. We specialize in EMDR for trauma of all forms, with a specific focus on EMDR for childhood trauma.

Contact us to connect with an EMDR trauma therapist on our team!