Trauma Has a Way of Living in the Body Long After the Event Is Over

You might already know this from experience. Something happened, maybe years ago, and logically you understand it is in the past. But your nervous system did not get that memo. You startle easily. Certain places or smells send you spiraling. Relationships feel unsafe even when they are not. Sleep is elusive. Concentration is shot.

This is what unprocessed trauma looks like in real life, and it is far more common than most people realize. At The Family Center of Maine, we work with adults, adolescents, and children who are carrying the weight of traumatic experiences, and one of the most powerful tools we have to help is EMDR therapy.

EMDR therapy for trauma recovery has grown significantly in recognition and use over the past two decades, and for good reason. It works, even when other approaches have fallen short. Here is what you need to know.

What Is EMDR Therapy

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured, evidence-based therapy developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. Originally developed to treat PTSD in combat veterans, EMDR has since been validated for a wide range of trauma-related conditions in people of all ages.

The core idea behind EMDR is that traumatic memories become stuck in the brain’s processing system. Instead of being filed away like ordinary memories, they remain raw and emotionally charged, as if the brain never fully finished processing them. When something in the present triggers those memories, the brain responds as though the trauma is happening again right now.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, most commonly guided eye movements but also taps or tones, to activate both sides of the brain while the client brings a traumatic memory to mind. This bilateral activation appears to help the brain complete the processing it got stuck on, allowing the memory to be stored in a way that no longer carries the same emotional charge.

The American Psychological Association recognizes EMDR as a strongly recommended treatment for PTSD, and the World Health Organization also endorses it as a first-line treatment for trauma-related conditions.

What EMDR Therapy Sessions Look Like

One of the questions we hear most often is: what actually happens in an EMDR session? It is a reasonable thing to wonder, especially since the name sounds clinical and unfamiliar.

EMDR therapy is delivered in eight structured phases. We do not jump straight into processing traumatic memories. We start with history-taking and treatment planning, followed by preparation, which involves building the relationship, explaining the process, and giving clients skills to manage emotional intensity between sessions.

From there, we move into the assessment phase, where we identify a specific target memory, the negative belief connected to it, and the physical sensation in the body associated with it. Then comes the desensitization phase, where bilateral stimulation is introduced while the client holds the memory in mind. This is where most of the processing happens.

The remaining phases focus on installation of a positive belief to replace the old one, a body scan to check for residual tension, closure, and then reevaluation at the start of the next session.

Clients do not need to narrate their trauma in detail during EMDR. Many people find this to be a relief, especially those who have struggled with talk-based therapies that required them to repeatedly verbalize painful events.

Who EMDR Therapy Helps

While EMDR was originally developed for PTSD, the research and clinical practice have expanded well beyond that original application. We use EMDR at The Family Center of Maine to help clients working through a range of experiences.

Single-incident traumas such as car accidents, medical emergencies, or assaults often respond very well to EMDR, sometimes in a relatively small number of sessions. Complex trauma, meaning prolonged exposure to abuse, neglect, or chronic stress, can also be addressed through EMDR, though the treatment typically takes longer and requires more preparation work.

We also find EMDR helpful for clients dealing with phobias and fears that seem disproportionate to the current situation, grief and loss that has become stuck, anxiety rooted in past experiences, low self-worth that traces back to early relational wounds, and performance anxiety in athletes, performers, or professionals.

For children and adolescents, EMDR is adapted to be age-appropriate and can be combined with play therapy elements to make the process more accessible and engaging for younger clients.

EMDR Within Our Broader Trauma-Informed Approach

At The Family Center of Maine, EMDR does not stand alone. It is one part of a broader trauma-informed framework that shapes how we work with every client who walks through our doors.

We also use the Safe and Sound Protocol, or SSP, which is an auditory intervention designed to calm the nervous system and improve the social engagement response. SSP is often used alongside or in preparation for EMDR to help clients become more regulated and ready to engage with trauma processing work.

For children who have experienced complex developmental trauma, we integrate the Attachment, Regulation and Competency model, known as ARC, alongside EMDR to address the relational and developmental layers of their experience.

You can explore the full range of our therapeutic approaches on our services page to see how we build individualized treatment plans for each client.

What to Expect When You Begin Trauma Therapy With Us

We know that reaching out for trauma therapy takes courage. Many of our clients have spent years managing on their own before deciding to seek help, and we honor that decision with care and respect.

When you contact us for trauma therapy, we begin with a thorough intake assessment to understand your history, your goals, and what you are experiencing now. We take time in the preparation phase to ensure you feel safe and equipped before we move into any processing work. We will never rush you, and you are always in control of what you choose to bring into sessions.

We serve clients across Southern Maine from our offices in Scarborough, Falmouth, Gorham, South Portland, and Saco. Our therapists who provide EMDR are trained in the full eight-phase protocol and bring experience working with diverse trauma presentations across age groups.

Healing from Trauma Is Possible

EMDR therapy for trauma recovery is not a magic fix, and we will never promise you that. But it is a rigorously researched, highly effective approach that has genuinely changed lives, including those of people who had stopped believing they could feel better.

If you are carrying trauma that is affecting your quality of life, your relationships, or your ability to feel present, we are here. Reach out to our team to ask questions or schedule your first appointment. You deserve support that actually works.