EMDR: What Is This Therapy Witchcraft—and Why Does It Actually Work?

Written By Lee Kuepper

Let’s be real—EMDR sounds a little strange.

Eye movements? Trauma healing? No need to talk through every painful detail? It’s easy to raise an eyebrow and think, “Is this some kind of therapy sorcery?”

We get it. On paper, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) sounds like something out of a sci-fi series. But in practice? It’s one of the most trusted and effective tools we have for trauma recovery—and it’s backed by decades of research, not fairy dust.

Let’s talk about what it is, why it works, and why it actually feels a little magical (in the best way).

So What Is EMDR, Really?

Imagine your brain has a filing cabinet for everything that’s ever happened to you. Most memories get filed away without issue. But when something deeply upsetting or traumatic happens, that memory might get “stuck”—unprocessed and still emotionally raw.

EMDR helps your brain finally file it away properly.

During an EMDR session, your therapist will guide you to briefly recall a distressing memory while using bilateral stimulation—like rhythmic eye movements, gentle tapping, or sound cues. Sounds weird. Works incredibly well.

And you don’t need to go into every painful detail. EMDR allows your nervous system to do much of the heavy lifting.

Why It Works (Even If It Feels Odd)

Here’s the science: EMDR mimics the brain activity of REM sleep, the phase where we naturally process emotions and experiences. That bilateral stimulation helps your nervous system access the memory, process it with more safety, and finally release its emotional grip.

You’re fully awake and in control the whole time. The memory might still exist—but it stops hijacking your day.

Clients often tell us:

  • “That memory doesn’t hit as hard now.”

  • “It finally feels like it’s behind me.”

  • “I’m not reacting to everything anymore.”

EMDR Isn’t Just for “Big‑T” Trauma

You don’t need to be a survivor of classic, life‑threatening trauma to benefit. EMDR can help with many lesser‑recognized but deeply persistent wounds, including:

  • Childhood emotional neglect

  • Medical or birth‑related trauma

  • Panic attacks or chronic anxiety

  • Grief that lingers too long

  • Perfectionism or people‑pleasing rooted in old wounds

If something in your past still feels too present, EMDR may help.

At Mat‑Su Mental Health, we integrate EMDR into our evidence‑based treatment for both trauma and anxiety. Learn more about our Trauma / PTSD Counseling or Anxiety Counseling services to see how EMDR may fit into your healing path.

What It’s Like at MSMH

At Mat‑Su Mental Health, EMDR is paced to your comfort level. We pair it with grounding techniques, relational support, and yes—light humor (such as joking about “therapy sorcery”). You’ll always feel safe, respected, and in control.

We’ll help you make sense of what your body’s been holding onto—and guide you toward greater ease in your daily life.

Ready to Learn More?

If you're curious whether EMDR is right for you—whether you're healing from past trauma, navigating chronic anxiety, or trying to loosen the grip of perfectionism—it might just be worth exploring.

Let’s talk.

Mat‑Su Mental Health, LLC (Wasilla office)
📍 800 E Railroad St, Suite 210, Wasilla, AK 99654
📞 (907) 313‑7965
✉️ scheduling@matsumentalhealth.com
🌐 matsumentalhealth.com

Lee Kuepper