EMDR Therapy for Eating Disorders and Trauma: What You Need to Know

By: Megan Samuels, MSW, LCSW-C, Eating Disorder & Trauma Therapist

At The Eating Disorder Center, we offer EMDR therapy to support individuals struggling with eating disorders and trauma. Whether you're located in Rockville, Maryland, or anywhere else in Maryland or Virginia, we provide both in-person and virtual therapy sessions to meet your needs.


What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a well-researched and highly effective approach for treating trauma. It’s known to create powerful, lasting shifts in how people experience and process difficult memories.

Originally developed in the 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro, EMDR therapy was designed to help people desensitize and reprocess traumatic experiences—using specific eye movements. Over time, it’s expanded to help with anxiety, depression, OCD, and eating disorders.


How EMDR Therapy Works

EMDR therapy is structured around a three-pronged approach, meaning it targets:

• Past events and trauma
• Present-day triggers
• Future situations that may be challenging
  
  

This helps the brain rewire how it processes distressing experiences, promoting healing and resolution.

When someone goes through trauma, the two hemispheres of the brain can stop communicating effectively. EMDR therapy helps restore this balance through something called dual attention stimulus (DAS). This involves stimulating both sides of the brain using one of three methods:

• Tactile: Tapping on the body or using vibration tools (often nicknamed “buzzies”)
• Auditory: Alternating sounds or beeps through headphones
• Visual: Eye movements guided by the therapist’s hand or a light bar

The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. It unfolds in eight distinct phases, and clients may move back and forth between them depending on their needs—especially if complex trauma or other mental health concerns are involved.

1. History Taking: The therapist gathers information about the client’s treatment history, traumatic experiences, and therapy goals.
2. Preparation: This phase includes assessing for dissociation, providing psychoeducation about EMDR therapy, and developing internal resources to support the reprocessing work.
3. Assessment: The therapist and client identify a specific memory to target and activate the memory network, including the negative belief, emotions, and body sensations tied to it.
4. Desensitization: Dual attention stimulus—such as eye movements or tapping—is used to reduce the emotional intensity of the traumatic memory and weaken the associated maladaptive memory network.
5. Installation: A positive belief is introduced and strengthened to replace the original negative cognition. This phase reinforces adaptive thinking.
6. Body Scan: The client mentally scans their body to detect any lingering physical tension or discomfort, helping ensure the traumatic material has been fully processed.
7. Closure: The therapist helps the client return to a stable state, using grounding techniques or resourcing. Clients also receive guidance on what to expect between sessions.
8. Re-evaluation: In the next session, the therapist reviews progress, checks for unresolved material, and determines the next steps for processing.

Common Questions About EMDR Therapy:

Can EMDR therapy be conducted virtually?
Yes! EMDR therapy can be just as effective over Telehealth. The main difference is how dual attention stimulus (DAS) is delivered, since tools like buzzies or light bars may not be available at home.

Is EMDR appropriate for kids and teens?
Absolutely. EMDR therapy can be adapted for all ages—children, adolescents, and adults.

What if I don’t have a PTSD diagnosis?
No problem. EMDR therapy is helpful for many mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and eating disorders—even if you haven’t been formally diagnosed with PTSD.

How do I know if I’m a good fit for EMDR?
We offer free 15-minute consultations so you can speak with an EMDR therapist, ask questions, and decide whether it’s the right path for you.

Can I do EMDR therapy if I already have a therapist?
Yes! Our EMDR therapist can collaborate with your current provider and focus specifically on trauma work as part of your overall treatment plan.


Trauma-Informed Care for Eating Disorders and Beyond

At The Eating Disorder Center, we specialize in supporting clients dealing with both trauma and eating disorders. However, we also work with individuals who are navigating trauma without any food or body image concerns.

If you're ready to explore how EMDR therapy could help you heal, we’re here to support you—whether in Rockville or anywhere in Maryland or Virginia via online therapy.

Schedule your free consultation today. Let’s take the first step together.

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Schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation to explore how eating disorder therapy or recovery coaching can help you to find freedom.
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🌟 Available in MD, VA, DC, PA, FL, and CA for eating disorder therapy
🌍 Offering recovery coaching worldwide

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The Eating Disorder Center is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping children, teens, and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide eating disorder therapy in Rockville, MD, easily accessible to individuals in Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, Olney, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington, D.C. We also provide eating disorder therapy in Arlington, Virginia and virtually throughout Virginia. Additionally, we offer eating disorder therapy virtually in Florida, Pennsylvania, and California. We provide eating disorder and EMDR trauma therapy in Rockville, Maryland and virtually throughout Maryland and Virginia. We provide eating disorder recovery coaching via Zoom to people worldwide. Connect with us through our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com

References:
Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (3rd ed.). New York, NY: The Guilford Press