Does EMDR Work for Anxiety? A California Therapist Explains
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Anxiety can feel exhausting. Racing thoughts, a pounding heart, and the sense that you’re always on edge. For some, it shows up as constant worry. For others, it’s sudden panic attacks or a fear of everyday situations like driving, public speaking, or social events.
If you’ve tried talk therapy or coping tools but still feel stuck, you might be wondering: Does EMDR really work for anxiety?
The short answer is yes—EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) has been shown to be an effective treatment not just for trauma, but also for anxiety disorders, panic, phobias, and performance anxiety. As a therapist in Irvine, CA who specializes in EMDR, I often see clients find relief from anxiety through EMDR therapy.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
What EMDR therapy is and how it works
Why EMDR helps with anxiety
How EMDR supports different anxiety disorders
What the research says
What to expect in sessions
How to get started with EMDR therapy in California
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps your brain reprocess distressing memories and experiences that may be fueling anxiety in the present. Instead of just talking about your worries, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (rhythmic left-right eye movements, alternating taps, or alternating sounds) to help the brain "unstick" memories and sensations that are linked to fear, overwhelm, or helplessness.
In other words: EMDR helps your nervous system realize that what feels threatening now is actually in the past, so your body and mind can finally relax.
Why EMDR Works for Anxiety
Your anxiety today might be connected to past experiences of criticism, rejection, fear, or feeling out of control. When these difficult moments aren't fully processed, they can leave your nervous system stuck in a state of alertness. EMDR helps your brain complete the processing of these experiences so you can respond to current situations without the weight of the past.
EMDR and Different Types of Anxiety Disorders
Research and clinical practice show EMDR can be effective for:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Calming the cycle of constant worry and restlessness
Panic Disorder: Decreasing the frequency and intensity of panic attacks
Social Anxiety: Reducing the fear of judgment, rejection, or embarrassment
Phobias: Desensitizing triggers like driving, flying, or public speaking
Performance Anxiety: Reducing fear and anxiety in situations where you feel 'on the spot' or evaluated by others
Perinatal Anxiety: Supporting expectant and new parents through overwhelming fears about pregnancy, childbirth, infant health, parenting capabilities, or postpartum adjustment
What to Expect in EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy is designed to feel safe and manageable. We'll start by getting to know your story and the specific ways anxiety shows up in your life. Before diving into any memory work, we’ll make sure you have solid grounding tools and feel completely prepared.
When we begin the actual reprocessing, you'll focus on a specific memory or trigger while doing bilateral stimulation (this could include using tappers, sound or visual BLS). You'll notice thoughts, feelings, or sensations that come up, and we'll track how they change throughout the session.
The goal isn't to erase memories or pretend difficult things didn't happen. Instead, we're helping your brain file these experiences in a way that doesn't keep your nervous system on high alert. You'll still remember what happened, but it won't feel as intense or threatening. Many clients find that EMDR helps them get to the root of their anxiety faster than traditional talk therapy alone.
What the Research Says About EMDR and Anxiety
There is strong scientific support for EMDR as a treatment for anxiety disorders.
Researchers have found that EMDR helps calm the overactive parts of the brain that stay “on high alert” when you’re anxious. Anxiety often comes from the amygdala (the brain’s alarm system) misfiring, sending your body into fight-or-flight mode even when there’s no real danger. EMDR helps rewire how these memories and sensations are stored, so your nervous system doesn’t keep reacting as if the threat is happening in the present.
Several studies and meta-analyses (which combine results from many research trials) show that EMDR can:
Reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety, panic, and phobias
Lower physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, muscle tension, and shallow breathing
Improve overall quality of life and daily functioning
Provide benefits that last well beyond the end of treatment
Some research suggests EMDR may work as effectively or in some cases more quickly than traditional talk therapy or medication alone for certain types of anxiety.
Finding EMDR Therapy for Anxiety in California
If anxiety has been holding you back, EMDR can help you move forward. I offer EMDR therapy in my Irvine office and online to clients across California.
✨ Next step: Reach out today to schedule a consultation and see if EMDR is the right fit for you.
