Is EMDR Right for Me? How to Know if EMDR Therapy May Help Trauma and PTSD
Quick Answer
EMDR therapy may be helpful if you understand what happened to you but still feel emotionally stuck, react more strongly than you would like, struggle to relax, experience anxiety or sleep difficulties, or feel as though part of you is still living in the past (Shapiro, 2018; World Health Organization [WHO], 2013).
Many people seek EMDR because they know the danger is over, yet their mind, body, and nervous system do not fully feel that it is over (Porges, 2021; van der Kolk, 2014).
I recently spoke with a friend whose partner still experiences flashbacks from childhood trauma. I asked how old he was when the events occurred. He said he was five years old when his mother often locked him in a closet and bound him arms. I then asked how long ago it had happened. He replied, "Seventy-five years ago."
A memory that is 75 years old can still trigger emotional and physical reactions in the present. The brain and nervous system can continue responding to an experience as though it is still happening, even decades later (LeDoux, 2015; van der Kolk, 2014).
Memories are powerful. Time alone does not necessarily heal unresolved experiences. Sometimes the brain and nervous system continue carrying forward what they learned under threat until new learning occurs (Ehlers & Clark, 2000).
EMDR was developed to help the brain process experiences that remain emotionally and physiologically unresolved (Shapiro, 2018). Rather than focusing only on talking about difficult experiences, EMDR helps the brain and nervous system process memories that continue to trigger distress in the present (Shapiro, 2018; WHO, 2013).
FROM THE DESK OF DR. CURTIS
If you've been:
• Feeling anxious or on edge
• Wondering why you can't relax
• Feeling like part of you is still living in the past
this article may help explain why.
Many people understand what happened to them and still feel confused by their reactions. They know the danger is over, yet their mind, body, and nervous system continue responding as though it isn't.
One of the questions I hear most often is:
"I know why I react this way, so why do I still feel stuck?"
This article explores why that can happen and how EMDR therapy was developed to help the brain process experiences that remain emotionally and physiologically unresolved.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy developed to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences (Shapiro, 2018; American Psychological Association [APA], 2017).
In simple terms, EMDR helps the brain finish processing experiences that became "stuck." During EMDR, a therapist uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, alternating taps, or sounds, while you briefly bring aspects of a difficult memory to mind. This process appears to help the brain reprocess memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity and allows new learning to occur (Shapiro, 2018; Lee & Cuijpers, 2013).
Some researchers have compared aspects of EMDR processing to what happens during REM sleep, the stage of sleep associated with dreaming, when the brain naturally sorts, integrates, and stores experiences from the day (Stickgold, 2002).
Although EMDR is not the same as REM sleep, both appear to involve processes that help the brain update and reorganize information (Stickgold, 2002). Importantly, the brain generally needs to feel sufficiently safe to process a memory rather than simply relive it (Porges, 2021; Siegel, 2020).
EMDR does not erase memories or require forgetting what happened. Instead, it helps emotionally "stuck" memories become integrated in a healthier way so they feel like something that happened in the past rather than something that is still happening now (Shapiro, 2018).
EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which proposes that the brain naturally learns from experiences and continuously updates its memory networks (Shapiro, 2018). You might think of this process like the operating system on your phone. Most of the time, updates happen automatically in the background. However, occasionally an update gets interrupted and the system begins functioning less efficiently.
Similarly, traumatic or highly distressing experiences can become emotionally "stuck." The memories, emotions, body sensations, and beliefs associated with those experiences may remain disconnected from more adaptive information (Shapiro, 2018). When something in the present resembles the original experience, the nervous system may react as though the past danger is happening again (Ehlers & Clark, 2000; van der Kolk, 2014).
For example, a person who grew up in an environment where love was conditional may intellectually understand that constructive feedback at work is intended to be helpful. Yet receiving feedback may trigger overwhelming feelings of failure, shame, or rejection. The present situation is different, but the emotional imprint from the past remains active.
Emerging neuroscience suggests that memories are stored in interconnected networks. Touching one thread can activate the rest of the network. A present-day cue that resembles a past experience can reactivate emotions, body sensations, beliefs, and survival responses associated with the original event (LeDoux, 2015; Siegel, 2020).
Repeated traumatic experiences may strengthen these networks over time through a process often summarized as "neurons that fire together wire together" (Hebb, 1949). The more frequently certain emotional and survival circuits are activated, the more automatic they can become (Hebb, 1949; Siegel, 2020).
The brain learns through repetition. Experiences that are repeatedly paired with fear, shame, danger, or helplessness can become highly automatic. This is one reason trauma responses may continue long after the original danger has passed (Hebb, 1949; van der Kolk, 2014).
Researchers continue to study how EMDR works. Several theories have been proposed, including that bilateral stimulation taxes working memory, reduces the vividness and emotional intensity of distressing memories, and facilitates adaptive learning by helping the brain connect traumatic memories with more positive and accurate information (Lee & Cuijpers, 2013; de Jongh et al., 2021).
As memories become reprocessed and integrated, people often describe the experience as the difference between knowing they are safe and genuinely feeling safe.
As a result, people do not simply know they are worthy, capable, or lovable. They begin to truly feel it.
You Do Not Have to Have One "Big Trauma"
One of the most common misconceptions about EMDR is that it is only helpful for people who have experienced combat, natural disasters, or other major traumatic events (Shapiro, 2018).
The work of Dr. Vincent Felitti and the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study helped demonstrate that many forms of adversity, including emotional neglect, household dysfunction, and chronic stress, can have profound and lasting effects on physical and mental health (Felitti et al., 1998).
Many individuals who benefit from EMDR have experienced:
• Childhood emotional neglect
• Bullying
• Difficult relationships
• Medical trauma
• Grief and loss
• Accidents
• Assault
• Military experiences
• Chronic stress
• Repeated experiences of feeling unsafe, unsupported, criticized, or rejected
Trauma is not determined solely by the event itself. Trauma is also influenced by how the brain and nervous system experienced and stored the event (van der Kolk, 2014).
Sometimes it is not one overwhelming event that leaves a lasting impact. It may be hundreds of smaller experiences that gradually shape how a person views themselves, others, and the world around them (Felitti et al., 1998; Siegel, 2020).
Some researchers have proposed that interventions such as the Flash Technique may facilitate positive emotional engagement and reduce distress associated with traumatic memories. The precise mechanisms continue to be studied (Manfield et al., 2017).
Signs EMDR Therapy May Be Right for You
Many people who seek EMDR therapy have already spent years trying to understand and heal from their experiences. They may have read books, listened to podcasts, attended therapy, practiced coping skills, or gained considerable insight into why they react the way they do. Yet they still feel stuck.
Yet they still feel stuck.
If you have ever thought:
"Why do I keep reacting this way?"
"Why do I still feel anxious even though my life is okay?"
"Why can't I relax?"
"Why do I keep having the same problems in relationships?"
"Why do I still feel this way after years of therapy?"
you are not alone.
Many people seek EMDR therapy because they are experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, difficulty relaxing, sleep problems, emotional overwhelm, relationship struggles, or feeling constantly on edge. They may not immediately connect these experiences to past events or unresolved experiences. However, the brain and nervous system can continue responding to earlier experiences long after the original situations have ended (Shapiro, 2012; van der Kolk, 2014; Porges, 2021).
EMDR therapy may be helpful if:
You feel stuck despite your efforts to heal.
Many people say things like, "I've tried everything," "I've been in therapy for years," or "I know what my issues are, but I still struggle."
Insight can be an important part of healing. However, understanding why something happened does not always change how the brain and nervous system respond (Lane et al., 2015; van der Kolk, 2014).
You react more intensely than the situation seems to warrant.
You may logically know that a situation is safe while simultaneously feeling overwhelming anxiety, shame, anger, or fear. This can occur when present-day experiences activate memory networks associated with unresolved past experiences (Ehlers & Clark, 2000; Siegel, 2020).
You cannot relax, even when things are going well.
Do you often feel on edge, anxious, unable to relax, or as though you are always waiting for something bad to happen?
Do you find yourself wondering:
Why can't I relax?
Why am I always anxious?
Why do I feel on edge?
Why am I always waiting for something bad to happen?
Why can't I calm down?
These experiences can sometimes reflect a nervous system that remains on high alert even when the present situation is safe (Porges, 2021; Dana, 2018).
You keep repeating the same relationship patterns.
Many people find themselves repeatedly entering similar relationships, struggling with trust, people pleasing, conflict avoidance, or fearing rejection. They may understand these patterns intellectually yet still find themselves repeating them (Siegel, 2020; van der Kolk, 2014).
You struggle with sleep, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm.
Trauma-related symptoms often extend far beyond memories themselves. Difficulties sleeping, hypervigilance, anxiety, irritability, emotional flooding, and feeling emotionally numb can all reflect nervous system responses that have not fully updated that the danger has passed (Porges, 2021; van der Kolk, 2014).
You feel as though part of you is still living in the past.
For many people, trauma is not simply remembered. It is relived through emotions, body sensations, beliefs, and nervous system responses that continue long after the original experiences have ended (van der Kolk, 2014; Nader & Hardt, 2009).
This is one reason some individuals seek EMDR therapy: they want their mind, body, and nervous system to fully recognize that the danger is over and genuinely feel safe in the present again.
Signs That Trauma May Still Be Affecting the Brain and Nervous System
Trauma affects people differently. Not everyone develops posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and symptoms do not always look like flashbacks or nightmares. Sometimes trauma shows up as chronic stress, relationship difficulties, anxiety, perfectionism, emotional exhaustion, or feeling persistently "on edge" (APA, 2017; WHO, 2013).
Signs that trauma may still be affecting the brain and nervous system can include:
• Trouble sleeping or insomnia
• Feeling on edge or easily startled
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Irritability
• Emotional overwhelm or emotional numbness
• People pleasing or difficulty setting boundaries
• Avoidance of certain people, places, or memories
• Difficulty concentrating or brain fog
• Feeling disconnected from yourself or others
• Feeling exhausted despite getting rest
• Difficulty relaxing even when life seems okay
These reactions are not signs of weakness. They may be signs that your brain and nervous system adapted to difficult experiences and have not yet fully updated that those experiences are over (Porges, 2021; Siegel, 2020; van der Kolk, 2014).
One way to think about the nervous system is to imagine it as a smoke detector. A smoke detector that has become highly sensitive may continue sounding the alarm long after the fire has been extinguished. For example, if you burn a piece of toast and the fire alarm goes off, the alarm is responding as though there is a fire, even though there is only burnt toast.
The amygdala, a part of the brain involved in detecting potential threats, can respond in a similar way. When something in the present feels, looks, sounds, smells, or otherwise resembles a past experience of danger, the brain may send out a warning signal even if you are currently safe. In those moments, you may experience emotions, physical sensations, or reactions that feel as though the past is happening again.
In essence, your brain may react in a fraction of a second as if it is saying, "This feels familiar. Something like this happened before, and I need to protect you." The brain is attempting to help you survive by relying on patterns that were once adaptive, even if those responses are no longer necessary in the present.
Triggers can include smells, touch, visual cues, sounds, or other sensory experiences that resemble aspects of the original traumatic event and activate stored memory networks associated with past experiences.
Similarly, a nervous system that has repeatedly experienced danger, fear, helplessness, or uncertainty may continue scanning for threats even when the present situation is objectively safe (Dana, 2018; Porges, 2021).
The brain learns through repetition. Experiences repeatedly paired with fear, shame, rejection, or danger can become highly automatic (Hebb, 1949). This is one reason trauma responses may continue years or even decades after the original experiences have ended (LeDoux, 2015; van der Kolk, 2014).
The encouraging news is that the brain remains capable of learning, adapting, and changing throughout life. Researchers continue to study how therapies such as EMDR may help facilitate adaptive learning and memory reconsolidation by linking traumatic experiences with more accurate, present-day information (Lane et al., 2015; Nader & Hardt, 2009; Shapiro, 2018).
Why Understanding Is Sometimes Not Enough
Many people arrive in therapy already understanding their story.
They know what happened.
They know why they react the way they do.
They can explain their childhood experiences, relationship patterns, and triggers in remarkable detail.
Yet they still find themselves asking:
Why do I still feel this way?
Why can't I relax?
Why do I keep feeling and reacting as though something bad is going to happen?
Why do I keep repeating the same patterns?
Why does my body still respond as though the danger is still present?
These are important questions because understanding and healing are not always the same thing.
Insight can be incredibly valuable. Understanding our experiences can reduce shame, increase self-compassion, and help us make sense of our reactions. However, insight alone does not always change how the brain and nervous system respond (Lane et al., 2015; van der Kolk, 2014).
Trauma is often stored not only as a narrative or story but also as emotions, body sensations, beliefs, and nervous system responses (van der Kolk, 2014). A person may know intellectually that they are safe while simultaneously experiencing fear, anxiety, shame, or hypervigilance.
In other words, there can be a difference between knowing something and truly feeling it.
You may know:
"I am safe."
"The relationship is over."
"I am not a child anymore."
"The danger has passed."
Yet your nervous system may continue responding as though those experiences are still happening in the present (Porges, 2021; Siegel, 2020).
One way to think about this is to imagine a deeply worn path through a forest. The more often you walk the same path, the easier it becomes for your feet to follow it automatically.
The brain learns in a similar way. Experiences that are repeatedly paired with fear, shame, rejection, danger, or helplessness can create highly practiced neural pathways (Hebb, 1949). Over time, these responses can become increasingly automatic and occur outside of conscious awareness.
Researchers have proposed that memory reconsolidation and adaptive learning involve updating existing memory networks with new information (Lane et al., 2015; Nader & Hardt, 2009). In essence, the brain needs opportunities not only to understand something intellectually but also to experience and learn something different emotionally and physiologically.
An analogy I often use is updating the operating system on a cellphone or computer. If a memory was encoded when your brain was operating on information that is now decades out of date, it can be like trying to run today's apps on an original iPhone released in 2007 or a computer still running Windows 95. Your nervous system may continue responding according to old "survival rules" that made sense when the traumatic experience occurred but are no longer adaptive today.
For example, a child who learned to freeze during abuse may continue to freeze as an adult when someone touches them in a certain way or when they feel vulnerable in a relationship. Freezing may have been the safest option available to a five-year-old with limited choices and resources. However, the adult now has abilities, options, and supports that did not exist at that time. The brain and nervous system may need opportunities to update that old learning with present-day information.
I am safe.
I am no longer there.
I survived.
I have choices now.
This may help explain why many people say:
"I know the danger is over, but I don't feel like it is."
The goal of trauma therapy is often not simply to tell yourself a different story. It is to help the brain and nervous system fully recognize that the danger has passed and that new learning is possible.
This is one reason why approaches such as EMDR may be helpful for some individuals. EMDR was developed to help the brain process experiences that remain emotionally and physiologically unresolved and to facilitate adaptive learning and integration (Shapiro, 2018; WHO, 2013). It is designed to help the brain reprocess unresolved experiences and integrate new, adaptive information.
As difficult experiences become integrated, people often describe the experience as moving from:
"I know I am safe."
to
"I actually feel safe."
That difference can be profound.
Who Might Not Be Ready for EMDR Right Now?
EMDR can be highly effective, but not everyone is ready to begin trauma processing right away. Sometimes, building safety, stability, and coping skills is an important first step (Shapiro, 2018).
Additional preparation may be helpful if:
You are currently living in an unsafe or unstable environment (Porges, 2021; WHO, 2013).
You rely heavily on substances, self-harm, or other behaviors to cope with distress (Shapiro, 2018).
You experience significant dissociation or have difficulty staying present (van der Kolk, 2014).
Thinking about difficult experiences quickly leads to panic, overwhelm, or shutdown (Porges, 2021).
Needing preparation is not a sign of failure or resistance. It often reflects a nervous system that has worked hard to protect you.
Being "not ready yet" does not mean "never." Sometimes, the first step is helping your nervous system feel safe enough to learn something new.
For some individuals, additional preparation and stabilization may be helpful before engaging in trauma processing. This does not mean EMDR cannot be effective. It simply means the brain and nervous system may benefit from first developing a greater sense of safety and regulation.
Some clinicians may also use preparatory interventions, such as the Flash Technique, to help reduce distress associated with traumatic memories while maintaining present-day safety and stability.
Learn more about the Flash Technique here.
Does EMDR Help Some People Experience Meaningful Change in Fewer Sessions Than Traditional Therapy?
Every person's healing process is different. No therapy can guarantee a specific timeline for recovery.
However, some individuals find that EMDR helps them experience meaningful change in fewer sessions or over a shorter period of time than approaches focused primarily on insight and discussion (Shapiro, 2018; WHO, 2013). Rather than saying EMDR is "faster," it may be more accurate to say that some people experience symptom relief and emotional shifts more quickly and efficiently because the therapy directly targets unresolved traumatic memories and their associated emotions, body sensations, beliefs, and nervous system responses.
One reason may be that trauma is often stored not only as a narrative or story but also as emotions, body sensations, beliefs, and physiological responses (van der Kolk, 2014). While understanding and talking about experiences can be incredibly valuable, some people continue to feel emotionally stuck despite years of insight-oriented work.
EMDR was developed to help the brain process experiences that remain emotionally and physiologically unresolved and to facilitate adaptive learning and integration (Shapiro, 2018). Researchers have proposed that memory reconsolidation and adaptive learning occur when previously stored information is updated with new experiences and present-day information, similar to how a phone or computer installs an operating system update that allows it to function differently (Lane et al., 2015; Nader & Hardt, 2009).
As a result, some individuals report changes such as:
Feeling less emotionally reactive to memories
Experiencing a reduction in anxiety and trauma symptoms
Sleeping better
Feeling calmer and less hypervigilant
Experiencing fewer triggers
Feeling more present and engaged in their relationships
Recognizing that the danger is over and genuinely feeling safer
This does not mean difficult experiences are forgotten or erased. Rather, the memories may begin to feel more like something that happened in the past instead of something that is still happening or being relived in the present (Shapiro, 2018; van der Kolk, 2014).
For some individuals, maintaining therapeutic momentum also appears to matter. Many people describe finally beginning to access important emotions or memories near the end of a therapy session, only to stop and wait another week before continuing.
For certain people, longer sessions or intensive treatment formats, such as extended sessions over several days or a week of therapy, may provide opportunities to remain engaged in the work, move through activation and processing without repeated interruptions, and continue building on new learning and integration.
This does not necessarily mean that longer therapy is better for everyone. Rather, it highlights that the amount of uninterrupted time available for trauma work may matter for some individuals.
If you have ever found yourself thinking:
"I feel like we were just getting to the important part when the session ended."
or
"I understand my story, but I still don't feel different."
you are not alone.
For some people, approaches such as EMDR and longer trauma-focused therapy sessions may offer another pathway toward healing.
Some individuals also wonder whether longer or intensive formats of EMDR may be a better fit for their needs.
Learn more:
Why Therapy Hasn't Worked for You (Even If You've Done Everything Right)
Why Longer Trauma Sessions Can Work Differently Than Weekly Therapy
What to Expect in EMDR Intensives: 1-Day, 2-Day, or 4-Day Trauma Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy
What does EMDR therapy help with?
EMDR was originally developed for trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but research and clinical experience suggest it may also be helpful for anxiety, panic, grief, distressing life experiences, performance-related concerns, and difficulties that stem from unresolved adverse experiences (APA, 2017; Shapiro, 2018; WHO, 2013).
Do I need to have PTSD for EMDR to help me?
No. Many people who benefit from EMDR do not meet criteria for PTSD. Some seek EMDR because they feel emotionally stuck, experience anxiety, struggle with relationship patterns, or continue reacting to past experiences long after the events have ended (Shapiro, 2018; van der Kolk, 2014).
Do I have to remember every detail of a traumatic event?
No. People often worry that they must remember every detail of an experience for EMDR to work. Memories can be incomplete, fragmented, or unclear. EMDR focuses on the information that is available and the emotions, beliefs, body sensations, and present-day reactions associated with the experience (Shapiro, 2018).
Is EMDR only for childhood trauma?
No. EMDR may be helpful for many types of experiences, including accidents, assaults, grief and loss, medical trauma, military experiences, difficult relationships, chronic stress, and repeated experiences of feeling unsafe or unsupported (Shapiro, 2018).
Can EMDR help with anxiety and relationship patterns?
For some individuals, anxiety and relationship difficulties may be connected to unresolved experiences that continue influencing emotions, beliefs, and nervous system responses in the present. EMDR may help address these underlying experiences and facilitate new learning (Lane et al., 2015; van der Kolk, 2014).
How do I know if I am ready for EMDR?
You may be ready to consider EMDR if you are able to remain sufficiently present, have some ability to regulate distress, and are interested in approaching difficult experiences with support. Some people find it helpful from additional preparation and stabilization before beginning trauma processing (Shapiro, 2018; Porges, 2021).
Why do I still react as though something bad is going to happen?
Many people ask:
• Why can't I relax?
• Why am I always anxious?
• Why do I feel on edge?
• Why am I always waiting for something bad to happen?
• Why can't I calm down?
These experiences can sometimes reflect a nervous system that learned to remain on high alert during difficult experiences and has not yet fully updated that the danger is over (Porges, 2021; Dana, 2018; van der Kolk, 2014).
Can EMDR help if I understand what happened but still feel stuck?
For many people, this is one of the primary reasons they seek EMDR. They understand what happened intellectually but continue experiencing emotional, physical, or nervous system reactions that feel out of proportion to the present situation. EMDR was developed to help the brain process experiences that remain emotionally and physiologically unresolved (Shapiro, 2018).
Wondering if EMDR may be right for you?
EMDR intensive therapy is a focused approach designed to help individuals process trauma and create meaningful change in a concentrated format.
👉 Schedule an EMDR Intensive Consultation to determine whether this approach may be a good fit for your situation.
Who I Help
I work with adults seeking evidence-based trauma recovery and resilience support, including:
military service members and veterans
first responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, and EMS personnel
healthcare professionals experiencing burnout or compassion fatigue
high-stress professionals managing trauma exposure, chronic stress, or performance pressure
Services include EMDR therapy, EMDR intensive therapy, and Elite Mental Toughness® training designed to support trauma recovery and psychological flexibility and resilience.
About Dr. Yvette Curtis
Dr. Yvette Curtis, PsyD, LPC, MAC is a licensed professional counselor, Doctor of Psychology, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, and Master Addiction Counselor with over 15 years of clinical experience treating complex trauma in military, Indigenous, and diverse populations. She specializes in EMDR intensives for PTSD, complex trauma, and treatment-resistant presentations, and has provided EMDR therapy since 2011. Dr. Curtis regularly writes about trauma recovery, EMDR therapy, and psychological resilience for military personnel, first responders, healthcare professionals, and other high-stress professionals.
Referrals and article shares are always welcome.
Related Articles
You might also find these helpful:
• What Trauma Does to the Brain: How Trauma Changes the Nervous System
Learn how trauma affects memory, emotions, and the nervous system.
• How to Calm Your Nervous System After Trauma: 7 Science-Backed Techniques
Practical strategies for reducing anxiety, hypervigilance, and feeling constantly on edge.
• Why You Can't Sleep After Trauma (And How to Calm Your Nervous System)
Understand why trauma affects sleep and what may help.
• Why Therapy Hasn't Worked for You (Even If You've Done Everything Right)
Why insight alone is sometimes not enough to create lasting change.
• Why Longer Trauma Sessions Can Work Differently Than Weekly Therapy
Learn why some people benefit from more concentrated trauma-focused treatment.
• What to Expect in EMDR Intensives: 1-Day, 2-Day, or 4-Day Trauma Therapy
Explore whether an intensive format may be a good fit for your needs.
References
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Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., Koss, M. P., & Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245–258.
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Nader, K., & Hardt, O. (2009). A single standard for memory: The case for reconsolidation. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(3), 224–234. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2590
Porges, S. W. (2021). Polyvagal safety: Attachment, communication, self-regulation. W. W. Norton & Company.
Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
Siegel, D. J. (2020). The developing mind: How relationships and the brain interact to shape who we are (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
Stickgold, R. (2002). EMDR: A putative neurobiological mechanism of action. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(1), 61–75.
van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.
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Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychotherapy, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this content does not create a therapeutic relationship with Dr. Yvette Curtis or Trauma Recovery Institute. Dr. Yvette Curtis provides psychotherapy services to individuals located in Alaska. Individuals outside Alaska may participate in educational services or destination intensive therapy where legally appropriate. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or seek emergency medical assistance.
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