What is Neurodiversity-Affirming EMDR Therapy?
Feeling lost in a world designed for neurotypical brains? Learn how EMDR therapy can be adapted to your unique needs, preferences, and neurotype.
Neurodiversity-affirming EMDR therapy – it’s a mouthful, but it boils down to a simple, powerful idea: using EMDR therapy in a way that respects the unique ways that neurodivergent individuals experience the world.
Let’s break it down. First, neurodiversity simply means the natural variation in human brains. This includes conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, 2e (twice-exceptional), and more.
Neurodiversity-affirming therapy recognizes and respects these variations. It acknowledges the unique strengths and challenges of all neurotypes, and does not label “different” as “bad.”
So, how does this translate to EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy? Traditional EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (back-and-forth eye movements, self-tapping, or audio tones) while you focus on a disturbing memory. This technique is believed to activate the brain’s natural information processing system, essentially kickstarting its self-healing abilities.
By revisiting the memory with bilateral stimulation, EMDR helps the brain reprocess it. This can lessen the emotional intensity of the memory and any negative beliefs attached to it. The result? A sense of emotional relief, a healthy distance from the past trauma, and a greater sense of empowerment and ease in the present.
Neurodiversity-affirming EMDR builds on this foundation, with a few key considerations.
Sensory Needs
We all have sensory preferences, but for neurodivergent folks, these can be especially pronounced. A room that’s too bright or a chair that feels uncomfortable can be distracting and hinder processing.
A neurodiversity-affirming therapist will create a calming environment (online or in-person) that caters to your specific sensory needs. Maybe you need fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones, or a specific type of lighting. This allows you to focus on the therapy itself, not external stimuli.
Communication Style
Neurodivergent individuals may communicate differently than the “typical” standard. Some may be more literal, while others may express themselves creatively or non-verbally.
An affirming therapist will be flexible in their communication style – whether that means using clear and concise language; incorporating metaphors and visuals that resonate with you; or using creative mediums like art, music, or movement to help you process in your preferred language.
Flexibility + Creativity
EMDR isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. A neurodiversity-affirming therapist welcomes flexibility, adjusting the standard protocol to match your processing style. You might want to talk a lot, or not at all, during EMDR sessions. Maybe emotions-based language doesn’t resonate with you, so you spend more time focusing on the physical sensations or images associated with past memories. Perhaps you need breaks during sessions to recharge, and that’s perfectly okay.
If one type of bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements) doesn’t work for you, you and your therapist can explore alternative methods.
This might include tapping different body parts (knees, shoulders, elbows), listening to audio tones (and testing out different sounds until you find the right one), or tossing an object between your hands. The key is to find a method that feels effective and comfortable for you.
Length + Structure of Therapy
Recognizing that brains process information in unique ways, neurodiversity-affirming EMDR therapy offers flexibility in session length and structure.
For some individuals, weekly therapy provides a comforting structure and routine.
It allows for ongoing support, gradual processing, and a strong therapeutic relationship. With each session, you can build on the progress made in the previous one, integrating new insights at a comfortable pace.
Others benefit more from intensive EMDR therapy.
Intensives condense several hours of EMDR therapy into a shorter period (2-3 days), which tends to increase the depth and speed of processing. This approach can be particularly helpful for those whose brain styles favor a more focused, immersive experience, instead of the “pick-up-where-we-left-off” nature of weekly therapy.
During your initial consultation, you and your therapist can discuss your specific needs to determine whether weekly or intensive sessions would be the best fit.
Now, it’s important to be clear: EMDR therapy isn’t about “fixing” neurodiversity.
There’s nothing wrong with being neurodivergent. There are many types of nervous systems, brains, and bodies in the world, and different does not mean bad.
However, living in a neurotypical world can be challenging, exhausting, and traumatic – especially if your neurodivergence intersects with other marginalized identities (race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, etc.). You might have experienced bullying, social exclusion, or difficulty navigating systems designed for a different brain type.
Neurodiversity-affirming EMDR can help address these stressors and traumas:
trauma from being misunderstood or misdiagnosed
anxiety or depression related to social challenges
low self-esteem due to negative messages about your neurodivergence
dissociation or emotional overwhelm from sensory overload
By processing painful experiences and releasing their emotional and physical charge from your nervous system, you can move forward with more ease and clarity – in a world that sometimes feels like it wasn’t built for you.
The journey of healing is a personal one, and it’s most effective when it feels tailored to your unique needs. Here are some tips for finding a neurodiversity-affirming EMDR therapist:
Ask about their experience working with neurodivergent clients.
Inquire about their approach to sensory needs and communication styles.
Look for therapists who actively seek out training in neurodiversity.
If you’re looking for neurodiversity-affirming 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.
