What are the most common reactions to emdr therapy?
You just don’t know if you’re up for it. You know it’s time to start healing from what happened, but you’re not sure you’re ready to face it. Most of all, you want to know what to expect. Let’s see if I can help.
Every EMDR Therapy Session Is Different
Unfortunately, I can’t guarantee exactly how you’ll respond to EMDR therapy. In my experience as a psychologist, no two people—or two sessions—are ever the same. EMDR activates your brain’s natural healing system, helping you reprocess stored memories, sensations, and emotions so your nervous system can integrate them in a healthier way. Because each person’s trauma history and coping style are unique, your experience will be, too.
That’s also why I recommend avoiding an EMDR session the day before something important, like a big presentation or interview. Some people feel tired or emotionally raw afterward, while others feel calm and energized. There’s no “right” response — only what’s right for your nervous system in that moment.
Before we get into the common reactions I see, some people have general questions about EMDR. If you’re interested in a “deep dive” into each of the Eight Phases of EMDR, you can start here and move through the remaining phases. If you’re curious about how an EMDR session generally goes, click here. Sometimes, people don’t want to share the specific details about the trauma - the great thing about EMDR is that you actually DON’T have to share those details! Some people are curious about the eye movements, tapping, or tones used in EMDR. These are forms of bilateral stimulation — gentle, alternating inputs that help your brain connect both hemispheres while reprocessing memories. It’s not hypnosis; you stay fully aware and in control the entire time. You can click here to learn a little more.
Most Common reaction: Fatigue
You’ll probably yawn during your EMDR session — and I won’t be offended at all! Many people notice they get sleepy or feel like taking a nap afterward. It’s intense emotional work you’re doing, and your body feels it.
EMDR can feel like a mental marathon. Even though you’re sitting still, your brain is working hard to connect thoughts, sensations, and memories that were once held apart by trauma. That deep integration takes energy, and it’s completely normal to feel tired once your system starts to settle.
Some people describe feeling “emotionally hungover” — mentally clear but physically drained. This fatigue isn’t a setback; it’s a sign of progress. Your brain is literally reprocessing old material, and your body needs time to catch up. I usually recommend planning a quiet evening after EMDR, skipping intense activities, and letting yourself rest. (Maybe an overshare - but when I was seeing my own EMDR therapist, I would swing by Rubio’s on my way home for nachos, put my pajamas on ASAP and watch mindless television for a few hours.)
Most people don’t realize just how connected their emotions and bodies are until they experience this. So don’t fight the urge to rest or go to bed early that night. Think of it as post-workout fatigue for your nervous system — evidence that healing is happening.
Other Reactions to EMDR Therapy
You can probably guess what some of the other reactions to EMDR therapy are! Many people get tearful (and then apologize - and then I remind them this is one of my occupational hazards and it’s ok!). Most people experience a range of emotions including anger and grief. Sometimes people feel nauseated or feel physical tension in their bodies. Often people will come back the next week and describe how the “floodgates” of grief were opened, but they describe it has a cleansing experience as well.
Other common reactions include vivid dreams, mental “downloads,” or new insights that appear days after the session. Some people notice they’re more emotionally sensitive or reactive for a few days (think of it as having lower emotional bandwidth) — crying more easily, feeling raw, or noticing physical sensations in new ways. This is a normal part of your system continuing to process between sessions.
Some clients report mild headaches, lightheadedness, or tingling sensations as energy and emotion release through the body. These typically pass within 24-48 hours. In rare cases, I’ve seen it last up to 72 hours. Hydrating, resting, or journaling can help your body complete the integration process. You may also notice your relationship to the traumatic memory start to shift — it might feel further away, less vivid, or lose some of its emotional charge. That’s EMDR doing what it’s designed to do.
LESS COMMON REACTIONS TO EMDR THERAPY
Less common reactions include a physical re-experiencing of part of the trauma. So far, all of my clients that have had this happen have said it’s not nearly as intense as when it originally happened. A few examples would be feeling like you can’t breathe if you survived someone attempting to strangle you, or a sense of paralyzation if we are processing a target where you were drugged (typically in combination with some form of sexual assault).
What’s important to remember is that your body stored the physical aspect of the memory and we are releasing this physical trauma from your body. People tend to be particularly fatigued after these sessions because of the strong physical and emotional trauma that was released - and your body needs time to heal.
In rare cases, clients may notice temporary increases in anxiety, vivid dreams, or brief dissociation (feeling spacey or detached). These are not signs of danger but rather signals that we may need to adjust pacing or resourcing to keep you grounded. I always remind clients: EMDR should never feel unsafe — we can slow down, pause, or return to stabilization at any time.
You might also notice heightened sensitivity to sound, light, or stressors for a short period afterward. This is your nervous system recalibrating. Grounding exercises, breathwork, or gentle movement can help re-regulate your body. And while these reactions can sound intense, most clients describe feeling lighter, clearer, and more at ease once the body has completed the release.
A Research Informed Note
Clinical research and client surveys have reported several short-term reactions to EMDR therapy, including emotional intensity, fatigue, vivid dreams, temporary increases in distress, and physical sensations such as nausea or tingling. These are typically mild and resolve quickly with therapist guidance and self-care.
Most clients also describe profound relief, a sense of distance from traumatic memories, and improved clarity — evidence that the brain has successfully reprocessed the event.
the short term discomfort is worth the long term healing in emdr therapy
Many people fear that once we open up “pandora’s box,” they won’t be able to put themselves back together again. The thing is, we’re not shoving things back into pandora’s box. We are healing you from the trauma you endured. Yes, there may be times where you think that you won’t stop crying - but you will, and I’m there to help you through it. I’m here to hold space for you, to honor your experience and to be your safety net if you need it. Ultimately, you’ll feel an all encompassing sense of relief and you won’t be held back from reaching your potential.
Clients often describe this as feeling “like a weight has lifted” or “finally being able to breathe again.” Even if the process brings temporary discomfort, the emotional freedom that follows makes it worth it. This is not about reopening wounds — it’s about allowing them to finally close in a healthy way.
Healing doesn’t mean forgetting what happened. It means remembering without reliving it.
If you feel like you’re ready to put the past in the past, click here to book a free 15 minute video consultation for online EMDR Therapy and PTSD treatment in California, Nevada & Idaho.
