5 Myths I Hear About EMDR Therapy

EMDR is a therapy just like other therapies (CBT, IFS, DBT, etc.) The amount of misinformation out there is staggering- I was taught that EMDR should not be put on a pedestal. It’s great, yes, but I’m begging folks to stop with all the rules and regulations around who is “allowed” to access it. Read more about the myths I hear most often and my take on them:

Myth: You Must Have a Diagnosis of PTSD to Receive EMDR Therapy. 

My Take: You don’t have to have a PTSD diagnosis or any other specific diagnosis. If you’ve got presenting problems related to an experience from the past, you can use EMDR.

Myth: EMDR Can Only Be Done In Person. 

My Take: Cmon, folks! It works via telehealth! You can do your own self administered tapping (insert link), you can use headphones for audio tones or use eye movements. 

Myth: You Must Be “Stable” or Already Have Enough Skills

My Take: If we wait until a person has the skills and is our version of “stable”, that person may never get the treatment they need. This doesn’t mean no skills are needed, but that’s a part of any therapy, not just EMDR. It’s not a reason not to seek an EMDR therapist!

Myth: You Must Commit to Meeting Weekly or More With Your Therapist

My Take: I’ve heard this from a lot of people that you have to be able to meet weekly or even twice a week in order to do emdr. Not true. Again, I wouldn’t withhold CBT from someone if their schedule or financial situation prevented them from being seen weekly. It’s not accurate, and it’s not right to tell people that they “must” spend a specific amount of time or money to deserve treatment and healing. And, this can be seen as yet another way the mental health field/industry is gatekeeping wellness and it disproportionately affects lower SES and BIPOC folks.

Myth: You Must Be Sober At Least 6 Months

My Take: ugh. Enough with telling people they must be sober, must have x months, or whatever other made up rules. Just as I wouldn’t engage in an IFS session with someone who was actively high during the session, same with emdr. But that doesn’t mean they can’t do it if they used yesterday. Or last week. (What’s underneath the substance use? Pain. Trauma. Suffering.) 

I hope this helped to set things straight and de-myth some common beliefs I hear about EMDR.