What Happens After EMDR Therapy?Understanding the Effects, Integration, and Long-Term Healing
One of the most common questions I hear from clients—especially after an intense EMDR session—is:
“Is this normal?”
Whether you're feeling emotionally raw, surprisingly light, or just confused by what came up, know this: Post-EMDR reactions are very real—and usually very normal.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through what you might experience after EMDR therapy, how to support your system through integration, and what research says about EMDR’s long-term impact on the brain.
What You Might Feel After EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is not your average talk therapy. It engages the brain and nervous system in a deep way—processing unhealed trauma and helping the brain file those experiences where they belong: in the past.
Because of that, the days after an EMDR session can feel like an emotional aftershock.
Some common experiences include:
Feeling emotionally sensitive or more reactive than usual
Fatigue or the need to rest more
Vivid dreams or unexpected memories resurfacing
A sense of emotional lightness or even euphoria
Temporary increase in anxiety or physical tension
Feeling “off” without knowing why
These reactions are typically part of the brain’s integration process—your mind and body working to make sense of what was reprocessed during the session.
Why These Reactions Happen: EMDR and the Brain
During EMDR, the brain activates networks connected to a distressing memory and uses bilateral stimulation (like eye movements or tapping) to reprocess that memory. This helps shift it from a survival-based reaction to a more adaptive, integrated place in your memory system.
Long-term studies have shown that EMDR can change the way traumatic memories are stored in the brain.Functional MRI research has demonstrated shifts in activity in areas like the amygdala (which governs fear) and the hippocampus (which processes memory), indicating that EMDR may reduce emotional reactivity at the neural level.
Over time, this can lead to increased emotional resilience and reduced triggers.
What Healing Actually Feels Like Over Time
One of the most powerful parts of EMDR therapy is this:
Once a memory is fully processed, it often no longer feels emotionally charged.
Clients frequently describe it as “the sting is gone,” or “it’s like the memory is still there, but it doesn’t hijack me anymore.” The event hasn’t disappeared—but the overwhelming feelings, body tension, or negative self-beliefs attached to it no longer dominate your internal experience.
This is the result of the brain doing what trauma interrupted it from doing in the first place: finishing the story and filing it away properly.
Even more reassuring?
Neuroscience supports that these changes are long-lasting.
Functional brain scans (fMRI and EEG) have shown that after successful EMDR treatment, there is decreased activity in the amygdala (the brain's fear center) and increased integration in the prefrontal cortex (where reasoning and emotional regulation live). These neural shifts remain stable even years later—suggesting that EMDR doesn't just provide temporary relief, but actually facilitates long-term emotional repair.
A study by Pagani et al. (2017) found that participants who had undergone EMDR therapy showed normalized brainwave patterns when recalling previously distressing memories—and those changes held up over time. This means the brain isn’t just learning to cope—it’s healing.
How to Support Integration After EMDR
The healing doesn’t end when the session does. In fact, what happens between sessions—how you care for your nervous system, your body, and your emotions—plays a major role in long-term results.
Here are a few ways to support integration:
Give yourself space. Try not to overschedule right after a session. Rest, journal, or spend quiet time alone if possible.
Stay hydrated and nourished. Your brain and body are processing—it’s okay to treat this like post-op emotional care.
Track changes. Keep a light journal or notes on shifts in emotions, thoughts, or dreams. This helps you notice progress.
Use grounding tools. Breathwork, nature, movement, or safe connection with others can help regulate your system.
Don’t panic if old memories come up. This is part of the system continuing to process. Note it, bring it to the next session, and stay grounded.
When to Follow Up or Seek Extra Support
It’s common to feel wobbly after certain EMDR sessions—especially when working with complex or early trauma. But if you notice any of the following, it’s a good idea to check in with your therapist sooner than your next scheduled session:
Persistent overwhelm or emotional flooding
Intense physical symptoms (like headaches, panic attacks, or dissociation)
Suicidal thoughts or self-harming urges
Feeling “stuck” or increasingly confused
There’s no shame in needing extra support. EMDR is deep work—and sometimes your nervous system needs more co-regulation as things shift.
Final Thoughts: Trust the Process
Healing doesn’t always feel good right away. Sometimes it feels messy, exhausting, or even destabilizing before things settle. But with the right support, structure, and understanding, EMDR can help create long-term change—not just symptom relief, but genuine transformation.
So if you're asking yourself, “Is this normal?”
The answer is likely yes. And you’re not alone in it.
Curious whether EMDR is the right next step for your healing journey?
I offer virtual EMDR therapy to adults throughout California and Nevada, with a focus on trauma recovery, nervous system healing, and lasting change.
📍 Learn more or schedule a consultation at: www.MyEMDRLA.com
Michelle Nosrati, LCSW
Trauma Specialist | EMDR Therapist
Licensed in California & Nevada
Secure Telehealth Services Available
www.MyEMDRLA.com
Research Citation:
Pagani, M., Di Lorenzo, G., Verardo, A. R., Nicolais, G., Monaco, L., Lauretti, G., ... & Siracusano, A. (2017). Neurobiological correlates of EMDR monitoring – an EEG study. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1931. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01931