Why Haven’t You Started EMDR Yet? What Clients Need to Know
You’ve done the research. You’re ready to start EMDR therapy. You find a therapist who seems like the right fit and they tell you they “do EMDR”…
Yet weeks—maybe even months—go by, and you still haven’t done any EMDR.
What’s going on?
EMDR Is Growing Fast—But Not All EMDR Therapists Practice the Same Way
EMDR has become incredibly popular, and for good reason. It’s evidence-based, it’s effective, and for many people it works more quickly than traditional talk therapy. As EMDR becomes a trend in the therapy world, more therapists are signing up for basic EMDR training.
This is wonderful—it means more providers are aware of trauma-informed approaches.
But it also means something important: not all EMDR clinicians use EMDR as their primary modality.
Some therapists complete the basic training, then integrate small pieces of EMDR into their work without using the full protocol. Others may feel unsure or nervous about using EMDR consistently, especially because it’s an intensive, structured therapy that requires confidence and skill to facilitate safely.
Why This Matters for Your EMDR Experience
If you’re truly ready to start EMDR, you want a therapist who:
Uses EMDR as their main treatment modality
Conceptualizes cases through an EMDR-informed lens
Feels confident guiding clients through deeper trauma work
Keeps EMDR sessions moving rather than delaying phase-based work
Has additional training or consultation beyond the basic level
EMDR is powerful—and you deserve a provider who is comfortable, grounded, and experienced in offering it. If you’re showing up ready to do EMDR, you shouldn’t be left wondering why you’re not actually doing EMDR. Don’t wait months to start the trauma work you’re ready for. Learn more about EMDR or schedule a consultation to get started.
EMDR Therapy in Issaquah, WA | Serving Sammamish, Bellevue, North Bend & Snoqualmie
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