Who Is a Good Candidate for EMDR?
EMDR can be life-changing for the right person at the right time. As a certified EMDR therapist in Seattle with extensive training in multiple trauma modalities, I've seen EMDR work wonders for many people—and I've also learned when other approaches might be better. Let me help you understand whether EMDR might be the right fit for your healing journey.
Ideal Candidates for EMDR
Clear Trauma Memories
EMDR works best when you have specific memories to target:
Single-incident traumas (accidents, assaults, medical procedures)
Specific childhood events
Identifiable "worst moments"
Clear before-and-after changes in your life
Even if memories are fragmented, we can work with what you remember. My training in somatic approaches helps access body memories when cognitive memories are incomplete.
Stable Life Circumstances
While you don't need to have everything figured out, some basic stability helps:
Safe living situation
Not in active crisis
Basic daily functioning
Some emotional support available
This doesn't mean your life needs to be perfect—just stable enough to handle the temporary increase in activation that can come with trauma processing.
Motivation for Change
The best candidates are those who:
Feel ready to address their trauma
Are tired of being controlled by the past
Want more than symptom management
Are willing to experience temporary discomfort for lasting healing
Previous Therapy Experience
Interestingly, many of my most successful EMDR clients come after years of talk therapy. You might be an especially good candidate if you:
Have insight but still feel stuck
Understand your patterns but can't change them
Feel like you're "talking in circles"
Know your trauma story but still get triggered
This is my specialty—helping people who've done the work but haven't found freedom.
Conditions EMDR Effectively Treats
PTSD and Trauma-Related Disorders
EMDR is a first-line treatment for:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Acute Stress Disorder
Adjustment disorders
Complex PTSD (with modifications)
My certifications in both EMDR and CPT through Harborview give me multiple evidence-based tools for trauma.
Anxiety Disorders
EMDR can help with:
Panic disorder (targeting first panic attack)
Specific phobias
Social anxiety (targeting humiliating experiences)
Generalized anxiety (when rooted in past experiences)
Depression
When depression stems from:
Traumatic losses
Childhood experiences
Shame-based memories
Failure or rejection experiences
Other Conditions
Research supports EMDR for:
Chronic pain linked to trauma
Performance anxiety
Grief and complicated bereavement
Some addiction issues (as adjunct treatment)
Body image issues
Low self-esteem rooted in past experiences
Who Might Need Preparation First?
Some people benefit from EMDR but need more preparation:
Complex Developmental Trauma
If you experienced:
Chronic childhood abuse or neglect
Multiple caregivers or placements
Early attachment disruptions
Severe emotional neglect
My Masterson Institute training in attachment and neurobiology helps me prepare clients with developmental trauma for successful EMDR.
High Dissociation
If you experience:
Frequent "spacing out"
Feeling disconnected from your body
Memory gaps
Feeling like you're watching yourself
We'll work on grounding and present-moment awareness first, using my somatic experiencing training.
Limited Coping Resources
If you:
Have few stress management tools
Struggle with emotional regulation
Lack social support
Use substances to cope
We'll build resources before processing trauma, ensuring you have tools to manage activation.
Current Life Instability
If you're experiencing:
Recent major losses
Job or housing instability
Relationship crises
Health challenges
We might start with stabilization or use modified EMDR approaches.
Who Might Not Be Suitable for EMDR?
Active Psychosis
Current hallucinations
Delusional thinking
Inability to distinguish past from present
Severe thought disorganization
Severe Dissociative Disorders
Without prior stabilization:
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Severe depersonalization/derealization
Frequent switching between parts
No co-consciousness
Active Substance Dependence
Daily substance use
Using substances to manage emotions
Recent overdose or withdrawal
Unwillingness to reduce use
Serious Medical Conditions
Case-by-case assessment for:
Unstable heart conditions
Seizure disorders
Pregnancy (often okay with modifications)
Severe chronic fatigue
Cognitive Limitations
Severe intellectual disabilities
Advanced dementia
Inability to track dual awareness
Cannot communicate distress levels
Special Populations I Work With
Adults Who Feel "Stuck"
My specialty is working with people who've tried therapy but haven't found lasting relief. You might be perfect for EMDR if you:
Have done years of talk therapy
Understand your issues intellectually
Still get triggered despite insight
Feel frustrated with your progress
First Responders and Healthcare Workers
With specialized understanding of:
Vicarious trauma
Cumulative stress
Critical incidents
Moral injury
Parents with Birth Trauma
Using my prenatal and postpartum expertise:
Traumatic deliveries
NICU experiences
Pregnancy loss
Birth-related PTSD
Individuals with Attachment Trauma
Combining EMDR with:
Attachment-focused interventions
Somatic experiencing
Parts work
Relational repair
Assessment Process
During our consultation, I assess:
Trauma History
Types of trauma experienced
Age when trauma occurred
Single vs. multiple incidents
Current triggers and symptoms
Current Functioning
Daily life management
Relationship stability
Work/school performance
Coping strategies
Resources and Strengths
Support system
Natural resilience
Previous therapy gains
Spiritual or cultural resources
Readiness Factors
Motivation level
Time availability
Financial considerations
Commitment capacity
Making EMDR Work for You
Even if you're not an "ideal" candidate, modifications can help:
Longer Preparation Phase
Building resources through:
Somatic experiencing
Mindfulness practices
Parts work
Attachment repair
Modified Protocols
Adapting EMDR for:
Shorter sessions
Gentler processing
More frequent breaks
Increased stabilization
Integrated Approaches
Combining EMDR with:
CPT for cognitive work
Somatic therapy for body awareness
AEDP for emotional processing
DBT skills for regulation
Your Unique Candidacy
Remember, being a "good candidate" isn't about being perfect or having simple trauma. It's about:
Readiness to heal
Willingness to try something different
Basic stability to support the work
Openness to the process
Some of my most successful clients initially worried they were "too complex" or "too damaged" for EMDR. With proper preparation and modifications, EMDR can work for many people who don't fit the "ideal" profile.
Next Steps
If you're wondering whether EMDR is right for you, I offer a free 15-minute consultation where we can discuss:
Your specific situation
How EMDR might help
What preparation you might need
Alternative approaches if EMDR isn't suitable
With my integrated training and 15+ years of experience, I can help you find the right path—whether that's EMDR, another approach, or a combination.
