Does EMDR Create False Memories? (Addressing 5 Myths about EMDR Therapy)
EMDR therapy is gaining traction as a trauma healing modality, but misconceptions linger. Does EMDR create false memories? Is it the same as hypnosis? Let’s discuss the myths & truths about EMDR therapy.
EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is gaining traction as a powerful, effective, and transformative therapy.
It’s a therapy that heals trauma – without making you talk about trauma the whole time.
During EMDR sessions, the focus is on brain-body processing, instead of talking.
EMDR therapy rewires the brain and releases stuck emotions in the body. This allows you to process disturbing memories and store them in their proper filing cabinet, labeled “THE PAST.”
Despite its growing popularity, some misconceptions about EMDR therapy persist. These misunderstandings may prevent people from seeking the help they need.
To help you make informed decisions about your health, let’s explore – and debunk – 5 common myths about EMDR therapy.
Myth #1: EMDR is just hypnosis.
While both involve eye movements, EMDR is fundamentally different. EMDR actively engages your conscious mind while processing painful memories, while hypnosis aims to induce a state of altered consciousness. There’s no trance involved in EMDR, and you remain fully aware and in control throughout the session.
Myth #2: EMDR makes you relive the trauma.
EMDR doesn’t require full emotional re-immersion. You do not need to retell the story of what happened or share any information that you’re not comfortable sharing.
Instead, EMDR uses eye movements or other types of bilateral stimulation to reprocess the memory from a safe distance. Your therapist will guide you through sets of bilateral stimulation, helping your brain and body to integrate the memory in a healthy way.
While some discomfort is normal – and a sign that the body is releasing stuck emotions – EMDR ultimately aims to desensitize the memory.
By the end of the EMDR process, you’ll be able to recall the memory without becoming overwhelmed.
Myth #3: EMDR only works for PTSD.
This is a common misconception. While EMDR therapy was originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), its applications have grown significantly.
Research now shows that EMDR can be highly effective in treating a wide range of conditions. These include anxiety, depression, phobias, and chronic pain.
The core principle of EMDR – targeting and reprocessing negative emotional responses to past experiences – makes it a versatile tool for addressing a variety of challenges.
Let’s consider a specific example: public speaking anxiety. Imagine someone who experiences intense anxiety whenever they have to give a presentation at work. This anxiety could stem from a past negative experience, perhaps a time when they were unprepared or humiliated during a public speaking event in school.
EMDR therapy can help this person by identifying the specific memory linked to their anxiety. By revisiting this memory with the therapist’s guidance and engaging in bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds), they can begin to reprocess the emotional impact of the event. This might involve challenging negative beliefs formed around the experience, like “I’m a terrible speaker” or “Everyone will judge me.”
Through EMDR, the person can develop a more neutral view of the past event and replace those negative beliefs with more empowering ones.
This shift can lead to a significant reduction in their anxiety around public speaking, allowing them to approach future presentations with greater confidence.
Myth #4: EMDR creates false memories.
EMDR uses existing memories as its foundation. It doesn’t fabricate past events. Instead, it helps you reprocess existing memories from a different perspective, allowing for a more adaptive understanding.
Here’s an example: imagine a memory from childhood of being scolded by a parent in front of your friends. This memory might be linked to strong feelings of shame, fear, or sadness.
During EMDR therapy, you’d revisit this memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This doesn’t mean you’re going to suddenly “remember” new details about the event, like the parent saying something they never did.
Instead, EMDR helps your brain integrate the memory with the information you have now. As you revisit the memory in a safe and supportive environment, you might realize that your parent’s anger wasn’t directed at you personally, or that the situation wasn’t as catastrophic as your younger self perceived it to be.
This shift in perspective can reduce the distressing emotions and physical sensations associated with the memory.
Myth #5: EMDR is a quick fix.
While noticeable improvements can occur quickly in some cases, it’s important to be realistic: EMDR will not heal everything, all at once; and it will not fix all your problems.
What EMDR can do is provide a powerful healing experience for your brain and body. Compared to traditional talk therapy, EMDR may achieve this in a shorter timeframe and with greater effectiveness.
EMDR typically requires multiple weekly sessions – or an intensive therapy program, consisting of multiple hours of therapy within a short period of time – to fully address complex experiences and integrate the therapeutic benefits.
With the right support and guidance, EMDR therapy can be a transformative experience. It can help you:
feel less weighed down by the past
release emotional baggage
rewire your brain to more easily access positive states
experience a greater sense of peace and joy
If you’d like to experience EMDR therapy, let’s connect.
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About the Author
I’m Liz Zhou, a holistic trauma therapist (MA, LPCC, she/her). My work integrates teachings from psychology, neurobiology, multicultural awareness, and spirituality. I provide compassionate therapy for highly sensitive people across Colorado.
