The Potential Risks of EMDR Therapy

From 2002 to 2021, the number of adults in the United States who received mental health treatment grew from 27 million to almost 42 million people. Our attitudes shifted over the last 20 years, as more of us have come to see the value of seeking mental health care.

That attitude shift led not only to more people seeking care, but more people seeking different types of car. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), neurofeedback therapy, and relational therapy are just a few examples of methods that offer help and hope in the mental health arena. Another type of therapy that is gaining wider usage is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, or EMDR.

“EMDR therapy works by moving a patient’s eyes in a certain way as traumatic events are unpacked so negative emotions and memories can be addressed,” explains Seth Bolton, Counselor and Addiction Recovery Expert, Addiction Advocates.

How EMDR Can Help

The therapy is touted as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Experts say using EMDR helps people who have previously been stuck reliving traumatic memories, to become “unstuck” and begin to move forward with processing the experience.

“One of the main benefits of EMDR is you are not required to talk about the traumatic events or memories. EMDR helps you change the emotions, thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that result from trauma or distressing experience(s). Disturbing experiences are updated in your mind and body so they are no longer as bothersome,” states Sarah Rollins, LMSW, SEP, Embodied Wellness.

Though supporters say EMDR therapy has numerous benefits, others note concerns and even say there are dangers with the method and its impact. There are questions about the effectiveness of the treatment itself. Some say it creates more severe mental health issues, and that patients can experience severe emotional distress while undergoing EMDR therapy.

Keep reading to dive deeper into the impact of EMDR therapy, risks associated with EMDR, and what things you should be mindful of before moving forward with the treatment.

The Pros and Cons of EMDR

Like any therapy, EMDR doesn't work for everyone who tries it, and there are many misconceptions as to what it actually does. For example:

• Some think of EMDR as a quick fix for trauma, that allows you to be treated without necessarily talking about the experience.
• Others viewed the EMDR method as a form of mind control or hypnosis.
• Another misconception is that the therapy completely erases traumatic memories.

None of those misconceptions accurately describes the way EMDR works.

“The foundation of the EMDR framework is the AIP (Adaptive Information Processing) model. This model posits that our brains have an innate ability to process and adaptively integrate information. From the moment we’re born, we’re learning and storing information. We learn what feels good (safe) and what feels bad (unsafe),” says Jessica Good, MA, LPC, EMDR therapist.

“All new experiences are assimilated into existing memory networks allowing us to use past experiences to quickly make sense of new situations,” she adds.

The Potential Dangers

However, an absence of long-term research on the practice and potential adverse effects cause many to question whether EMDR is a beneficial therapy choice.

“Although research has shown that EMDR is a safe and effective treatment for trauma, there are still side effects. Typically, they are short term and mild," says Rollins.

What’s more, some research claims that there's an initial increase in psychosis symptoms with the use of EMDR therapy. But some experts say just the opposite—that in fact, there is not a significant amount of research to support those claims. 

“There are very few side effects of EMDR therapy. The psychotherapy may cause a person to experience strong recollections of traumatic experiences which can be upsetting, and emotions may fluctuate between high a low after sessions as a person reflects upon the experience," Bolton says. "Some mild physical symptoms can be experienced too such as headaches and fatigue due to the emotional nature of the therapy."

Other side effects include becoming lightheaded, heightened emotional awareness, and graphic dreams. 

“If vivid dreams occur this is not a side effect to worry about, as the brain often reprocesses information and emotions during REM sleep. As this form of therapy targets the subconscious, experiencing vivid dreams can occur but often wear off over time,” Bolton says.

Should You Use EMDR Therapy? What to Consider

Before making a decision which therapy modality to use, you should understand how the process works, the benefits, and the potential risks. Then, together with your mental health professional, make an educated choice.

As a part of knowing about EMDR, here are a few points to consider:

• If you are dealing with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, EMDR may not be for you. The nature of the therapy, and delving into deep memories, can be hindered by certain substances that alter your thinking.
• Some medications can cause problems with EMDR. They can interfere with the therapeutic process, especially if they impact your mental state.
• People with certain physical conditions, such as vision problems or suffering from epilepsy, will want to make sure to consult a doctor before entering EMDR treatment.
• If you already struggle with severe traumatic flashbacks, EMDR may contribute to the flashbacks and make the condition feel worse.
• Someone who deals with chronic migraines will want to be cautious, as EMDR can intensify headaches.

Of course, depending on your situation, you may decide it’s worth the potential drawbacks to experience the help you believe EMDR therapy can bring.

“When doing any form of deeper therapeutic work you want to make sure that you have an effective coping plan in place as well as a form of support system. Any form of deeper emotional work can lead to a spike in behaviors, so you want to make sure you’re prepared in case that happens,” Good concludes.