How do I know if I’m ready for EMDR Therapy? - 18/06/25

How do I know if I’m ready for EMDR Therapy?

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I first trained in EMDR in 2018 and this is a question that some of my clients and supervisees ask me – how do you know if someone is ready to begin working on a traumatic event in EMDR therapy? I have briefly outlined some key things to consider but these are not hard and fast rules; I tend to make the decision on a case-by-case basis because everyone is unique.

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What is EMDR Therapy again?

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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy first developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987, primarily designed to help individuals heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. You can read more about it here.

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Why It’s Important to Be Ready for EMDR Therapy?

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Before diving into EMDR therapy, it’s essential to understand the concept of readiness. Readiness isn’t just about being willing. It means having the emotional, psychological, and physical stability to safely engage in trauma processing.

Here are some key signs that you are ready to begin EMDR processing

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• Trust: You trust your therapist and feel comfortable with the possibility of experiencing vulnerability.

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• Safety: You feel safe and supported in your therapeutic relationship. This means you feel heard and respected by your therapist and that you are comfortable asking questions and disagreeing.

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• You can identify and discuss your fears: You feel able to share your thoughts, feelings and doubts with honestly and openly with your therapist

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• Willingness to face the past: Trauma therapy such as EMDR, involves revisiting and processing traumatic memories. You are willing to do this, even if you don’t fully understand how EMDR therapy works

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• You’ve developed coping skills: Your therapist has taught you a range of practical exercises to help you tolerate your emotions

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• You can cope with emotional discomfort knowing that you have tools and skills to help you.

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• You’re able to stay grounded in the present, even when thinking about the past.

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• You understand what to do after a session and can recognise the difference between typical emotional responses and something that needs more attention.

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• You have a support network, such as friends, family members or colleagues who can support you if needed in-between your therapy sessions.

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• You’re not currently experiencing a life crisis: If you are currently in the throes of a major life-changing event then EMDR Therapy may destabilise you even further

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• You’ve worked on your awareness of dissociation, and can return to the present with support.

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When do you need to pause EMDR Therapy and go back to preparation?

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It can be difficult to predict exactly how you will respond to processing a particular event until you start. If you find that it’s simply too much, that’s ok. It simply means you and your therapist need to stop and make sense of what happened so you can prepare a bit longer. This might include learning more coping skills or exploring and unpacking what happened.

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Everyone is ready… in their own time

Everyone is capable of healing from their trauma but not everyone is ready to actively work on it and process it at the same time. And that’s okay. Readiness is not about toughness. It’s about timing, trust, and tools. EMDR Therapy is most effective when you have a strong therapeutic relationship, and the support you need to navigate the emotional terrain of healing

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EMDR Therapy in Hertford - face to face and online

I have been practicing EMDR since 2018 and I am an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner and a Consultant in Training (CiT). If you would like to work with me then get in touch or email me directly on maria@tucknottpsychology.com

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