An EMDR session can end in many different ways. You might feel relieved, tired, emotional, calm, or not very different from when you arrived. You may be wondering: What should I do now?

Self-care does not have to be an elaborate routine. It may mean backing off your usual hectic schedule. It may mean giving yourself time to breathe. Your experience after each session can differ, so your plan can change with it.

As an EMDR Therapist in CT, this is an important topic I discuss with clients in the very first session.

What You Might Notice After EMDR

EMDR involves working with difficult memories in a structured way. Your therapist should help you close the session and return your attention to the present before you leave. Even so, you may notice thoughts, feelings, dreams, or physical tiredness later. Some people notice very little.

The most typical response I hear is “I felt more tired the rest of the day”. As an EMDR therapist in CT, I often describe EMDR as a HIIT workout for your brain. Your brain has done an intense workout. It's time to tune in and listen to what your body needs.

Give Yourself Time to Transition…

You have been dealing with the same patterns for years. Yet, you cannot seem to get unstuck: the anxiety, recurring patterns in relationships, phobias, and traumatic memories that will not go away. You have tried traditional psychotherapy, including CBT, DBT, and many other approaches, for years. Then a friend mentions EMDR. You know you have heard of it, but you do not know enough about it. Maybe it is time to take a deeper dive into this different approach. 

Hi, I’m Laurie, an EMDR Therapist in Connecticut and I would love to be your guide to understanding what to expect before, during, and after an EMDR session.

EMDR therapy is an evidence-based treatment for PTSD and other trauma-related disorders. It is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Psychological Association (APA), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS).

 In this guide, we will walk you through what EMDR therapy is and what to expect before, during, and after an EMDR therapy session. It is important to note that this article covers what to expect generally. Each person and each treatment plan is different. An experienced provider can respond flexibly to a patient's needs and adapt accordingly. We will discuss this in more detail later. By the end of this article, however, you will have a much better picture of what actually happens and whether this approach is right for you.