Why EMDR Therapy Is Not Hypnosis and What It Really Does
If you’ve heard about EMDR therapy, you might be curious—or even a little unsure—about what it really is. Some people confuse EMDR with hypnosis. But the truth is, EMDR and hypnosis are very different.
In this blog, we’ll break down what EMDR therapy is, what it’s not, and how it can help people heal from trauma, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Whether you’re thinking about trying EMDR or just want to learn more, you’re in the right place.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a type of therapy that helps people heal from painful memories and trauma. EMDR was first developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro, and it has since been used by millions of people all over the world.
EMDR helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories so they don’t feel so intense anymore. It can also help with other conditions beyond trauma, such as anxiety! After treatment, memories still exist, but they no longer control your emotions, your body, or your daily life.
What Happens During EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy follows a structured process that includes eight phases. But don’t worry—it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Some people confuse eight phases with eight steps! The eight phases may take a few months to years. Your therapist will guide you through it step by step. Here’s a simple breakdown of what you can expect:
Getting to Know You- The EMDR therapist learns about your history and what you want help with. You’ll talk about your goals and make a plan together.
Preparing You for EMDR Reprocessing- Your therapist will explain how EMDR works. You’ll also learn coping skills to help you feel safe and grounded during and after sessions.
Identifying the Target Memory- You’ll choose a specific memory, image, or feeling that’s bothering you. It could be something that happened recently or a long time ago. EMDR can work for childhood trauma!
Setting Up the Memory- You’ll think about what you saw or heard, how it made you feel, and the negative belief about yourself because of that memory.
Bilateral Stimulation- Here’s where the “eye movement” part comes in! Your therapist will ask you to follow their fingers (or a light, sound, or tapping) with your eyes. This helps activate both sides of your brain. While this happens, you’ll briefly think about the memory. If eye movemenet’s don’t work for you, you can try tappings or sounds!
Letting the Brain Work- You don’t have to explain everything. You can simply notice what comes up—thoughts, emotions, body sensations. Your brain starts to process the memory on its own!
Installing New Beliefs- As the memory becomes less upsetting, you’ll work with your therapist to add a more positive belief. For example, “I’m in danger” might become “I am safe now.” The goal is for this to come up naturally, without force!
Checking In- At the end of the session, your therapist will help you feel grounded and make sure you feel okay. You’ll also talk about how to care for yourself between sessions.
Is EMDR Like Hypnosis? No—Here’s Why
Some people think EMDR looks like hypnosis because it involves eye movements and deep focus. But EMDR is NOT hypnosis. Here’s how the two are different:
1. Purpose and Focus
EMDR: Designed specifically to help people process and heal from trauma. It focuses on reprocessing disturbing memories so they no longer feel emotionally overwhelming.
Hypnosis: A tool used to increase suggestibility, focus, and relaxation. It can be used for various goals (e.g., smoking cessation, anxiety reduction, pain control), not just trauma.
2. State of Consciousness
EMDR: Clients remain fully awake and aware. They are active participants and stay grounded in the present moment.
Hypnosis: Clients enter a trance-like state of deep relaxation and focused attention. They're still conscious but may feel detached or inwardly focused.
3. Use of Suggestion
EMDR: There is no suggestion involved. Therapists don’t tell the client what to think or feel. The client leads the process by noticing what comes up during bilateral stimulation (like eye movements).
Hypnosis: Often involves suggestive language to help the client access desired thoughts, sensations, or behaviors (e.g., “You will feel more confident each day”).
4. How It Works
EMDR: Uses bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements, taps, or sounds) to activate the brain’s natural healing processes and “unstick” traumatic memories.
Hypnosis: Works by bypassing the conscious mind and accessing the subconscious. It may help reframe beliefs, reduce anxiety, or increase motivation through suggestion.
Why It’s Confusing!
It’s easy to see why people get mixed up. Both EMDR and hypnosis involve:
Deep focus
Relaxation
Guided attention
But the intention and the experience are very different. In EMDR, the goal is to rewire how your brain stores trauma—not to put you under or make you forget.
EMDR uses something called bilateral stimulation, which can include:
Side-to-side eye movements
Tapping on the hands or knees
Listening to sounds in alternating ears
This back-and-forth motion helps your brain process stuck memories so they no longer feel like they’re happening right now.
What EMDR Therapy Feels Like
Every person’s experience is unique. But here are some common things people say after EMDR therapy:
“I feel lighter, like a weight was lifted.”
“The memory is still there, but it doesn’t bother me anymore.”
“I can talk about it without crying or panicking.”
“I didn’t know I had so much stored inside me.”
You might cry. You might laugh. You might feel tired afterward. All of this is normal. Your brain is doing important work, and that can bring up a lot of emotions.
But remember: you are never alone. A trained EMDR therapist in Michigan is right there with you, guiding the process and helping you stay safe.
What EMDR Can Help With
EMDR is best known for helping people with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). But it can help with many other things too, including:
Medical trauma
Childhood abuse or neglect
Car accidents
Anxiety and panic attacks
Social anxiety
Grief and loss
Bullying
Performance anxiety (sports, tests, public speaking)
Racial trauma
If something painful keeps coming up in your thoughts, body, or dreams—and if it’s getting in the way of your life—EMDR may be a helpful option.
Who Should Try EMDR?
Anyone who feels stuck in a painful memory or emotion can try EMDR. You do not need to have a formal diagnosis to benefit!
EMDR may be right for you if:
You’ve been in therapy before but still feel stuck
You have a specific memory that keeps bothering you
You feel anxious or panicked but don’t know why
You avoid certain places, people, or topics
You have nightmares or flashbacks
Your body reacts to stress with headaches, stomach aches, or tension
You deserve support, no matter your age, background, or story.
Is EMDR Safe?
Yes, EMDR is considered very safe when done by a licensed, trained therapist. Like all therapy, it can bring up tough emotions—but you won’t be alone.
Before starting, your therapist will teach you grounding tools like:
Deep breathing
Visualization
Body awareness
Safe-place imagery
These tools help you stay calm during and after sessions. If something feels too intense, you can pause at any time. You’re always in charge.
Myths About EMDR Therapy (And the Truth!)
There’s a lot of confusion out there about what EMDR therapy is and how it works. Some of it comes from movies or TV shows. Some of it comes from people not really understanding how the brain heals after trauma. Let’s clear up some of the most common myths so you can feel more confident about EMDR.
MYTH 1: EMDR erases your memories.
TRUTH: EMDR does not erase anything. It helps your brain reprocess the memory so it no longer feels dangerous or overwhelming.
Some people are afraid that doing EMDR will make them forget what happened to them. But EMDR isn’t about deleting your past—it’s about healing it. After EMDR, people usually still remember what happened, but it feels different. The memory no longer causes panic, fear, or shame. Instead of feeling like it’s happening right now, the memory becomes something that happened in the past, where it belongs.
This is a powerful shift because trauma memories often get “stuck” in the brain. EMDR helps unstick them so you can move forward.
MYTH 2: EMDR works like magic.
TRUTH: EMDR is not magic. It’s based on brain science and years of research. But like all therapy, healing takes time and effort.
You might hear amazing stories of people who felt better after just one or two EMDR sessions. And that can happen! But for most people, EMDR is a process. You and your therapist will take time to get ready, choose the right memories to work on, and go at your own pace..
There’s no quick fix for trauma—but EMDR can help you get to the root of the pain faster than talk therapy alone. It doesn’t mean you’ll never feel sad or stressed again. But it can help you stop reliving the past so you can live more fully in the present.
MYTH 3: EMDR is only for “Big” traumas.
TRUTH: EMDR can help with all kinds of experiences, even ones that seem “small” but still hurt deeply.
Many people think EMDR is only for things like war, abuse, or major accidents. But trauma isn’t just about big events. Sometimes, small things repeated over time—like being bullied, feeling rejected, or not being accepted for who you are—can leave lasting wounds.
You don’t need a PTSD diagnosis to benefit from EMDR. It can help with:
Being teased in school
Feeling left out in your family
Going through a bad breakup
Feeling scared at the doctor’s office
Getting yelled at by a teacher or boss
Growing up in a home where emotions weren’t safe
If something is still bothering you and getting in the way of your life, it matters—and EMDR can help you heal from it.
MYTH 4: You have to talk about every detail.
TRUTH: In EMDR, you don’t have to share everything out loud. You can keep some things private and still heal.
This is a big relief for people who’ve experienced trauma that’s hard to talk about—like abuse, assault, or deep shame. In EMDR, you can choose how much or how little you want to say. The therapist helps guide the process, but you don’t have to describe every memory in detail if you’re not ready.
Because EMDR works with the brain and body, it allows you to process emotions without putting everything into words.
MYTH 5: EMDR is too intense.
TRUTH: EMDR is done at your pace, with tools to help you stay safe and grounded.
It’s true that EMDR can bring up strong emotions. That’s part of how healing happens. But a trained EMDR therapist in Detroit, MI will never push you too fast. Before starting, they’ll teach you coping skills like deep breathing, visualizations, or grounding exercises. You’ll use these tools during and after sessions to help regulate your emotions.
You’re always in control. You can pause, slow down, or stop at any time. Your safety and comfort come first.
MYTH 6: EMDR only works for adults.
TRUTH: EMDR can help people of all ages, including children and teens.
Kids and teens experience trauma too. Whether it’s bullying, medical fears, family issues, or identity struggles, EMDR can help young people feel safer and more confident. A trained EMDR therapist will adjust the techniques to be age-appropriate, using play, art, or gentle tapping instead of eye movements.
For LGBTQ+ youth, BIPOC youth, or anyone who’s felt different or unsafe, EMDR can be a powerful way to release shame and build resilience.
MYTH 7: You can only do EMDR in person.
TRUTH: EMDR can be done virtually too, through secure online therapy sessions.
Thanks to technology, you can now access EMDR from the comfort of your own home. EMDR therapists use video platforms and special tools like tapping apps or onscreen eye movement to guide the process. Virtual EMDR is just as effective for many people and can be especially helpful if:
You live far from a therapist
You feel safer at home
You have medical or mobility challenges
You want more privacy
Online EMDR therapy makes healing more accessible for everyone—including those in rural areas or underserved communities.
How to Find a Trained EMDR Therapist
If you’re interested in trying EMDR, look for a therapist who is trained in EMDR. You can ask:
Are you trained in EMDR by an EMDRIA?
How do you support clients before and after EMDR sessions?
What kind of trauma have you helped people with before?
You can also search online for EMDR therapists in Detroit, MI or EMDR therapy in Ann Arbor, MI.
See an EMDR Therapist in Michigan!
To sum it up: EMDR is not hypnosis. It’s not mind control. It’s not a trick. It’s a powerful therapy that helps your brain do what it naturally wants to do—heal. If you’re carrying pain from the past, whether it’s from a traumatic event, years of stress, or something you don’t even have words for yet, EMDR can be a gentle, effective way to find relief. You don’t have to be stuck forever. You don’t have to “just get over it.” Healing is possible—and you deserve it. If you’re ready to take the next step, reach out to a licensed EMDR therapist at Embodied Wellness, PLLC for a free consultation. Whether you’ve tried therapy before or this is your first time, EMDR might be the key to unlocking a calmer, safer, and more connected life.
To begin EMDR therapy in Michigan follow the steps below:
Contact us for a free 15-minute consultation.
Connect with a compassionate EMDR therapist.
Live a life free from trauma and anxiety!
Other Therapy Services Offered at Embodied Wellness in Ann Arbor, Detroit, and throughout Michigan
Are you looking for other services besides EMDR therapy in Ann Arbor, MI? Our other services include Empath therapy and Online Therapy. Our specialties include OCD treatment and ERP therapy, Trauma therapy and PTSD treatment, DBT, depression treatment, Somatic Therapy, and Internal Family Systems. All these online therapy services are available for teens and adolescents as well as adults. Get in touch with our Detroit-based practice today!
About the Author:
Sarah Rollins, LMSW, SEP is the founder of Embodied Wellness, PLLC, a group therapy practice providing online therapy in Michigan. She is passionate about expanding awareness of somatic therapy as way to treat and heal trauma. She incorporates other holistic treatments into her practice including EMDR and IFS.