What Is EMDR Therapy? A Guide for Gen Z and Millennials Who Feel Stuck

Maybe you’ve heard of EMDR therapy and you're wondering what it actually is. You might have seen it mentioned on socials, heard about it from a friend, or had a therapist bring it up, but it still feels unclear.

If you’ve tried therapy before and still feel like something’s missing, you’re not alone. Maybe you’ve talked through your past, journaled, downloaded every mental health app, and yet, certain thoughts, emotions, or reactions keep showing up.

You might be dealing with experiences your mind couldn’t fully process at the time. EMDR therapy can help you work through those moments so they stop interfering with your present.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a structured, research-backed therapy that helps people process difficult memories, patterns, and beliefs that are stuck in the nervous system.

When something overwhelming happens — for example, a breakup, bullying, childhood neglect, or a buildup of smaller stressful events — your brain doesn’t always store it the way it should. This can leave you feeling anxious, reactive, avoidant, or numb, even years later.

EMDR helps you reprocess those memories so they no longer hold the same emotional charge. It does this through something called bilateral stimulation, which involves eye movements, tapping, or audio tones to support the brain's natural ability to heal.

What Can EMDR Help With?

You don’t need to have experienced a major trauma for EMDR to be helpful. It’s often used to treat a wide range of experiences and symptoms, including:

• Trauma and complex trauma

• Childhood wounds and difficult past experiences

• Social anxiety or fear of being judged

• Panic attacks and chronic overwhelm

• Grief and unresolved loss

• Low self-worth, shame, or internal criticism

• Phobias or specific fears

• Feeling emotionally reactive or shut down

• Executive dysfunction and trouble focusing

• Trouble falling or staying asleep

• Body tension and nervous system dysregulation

• Repeating relationship patterns that leave you drained

• Feeling stuck after college or lost in your 20s

Many of my clients are trying their best to cope with everyday life but keep running into the same patterns. EMDR helps address what’s underneath so you're not just managing symptoms, but actually creating change.

What Happens in a Typical EMDR Session?

Before we begin reprocessing, EMDR includes a preparation phase where we build coping tools, explore what feels grounding, and develop a treatment plan that fits your goals. This phase is just as important as the reprocessing itself. We don’t start until you feel ready, supported, and equipped with strategies to manage any emotional discomfort that may come up during the work.

Each EMDR session is collaborative and paced to meet your needs. Here’s a general idea of what to expect:

1. We start with what’s happening now. This might be anxiety, triggers, or patterns that keep repeating. Then we look at where these might be coming from based on your history and how you’ve learned to cope.

2. You help decide what to focus on. You never have to talk about anything you’re not ready for, and you stay in control of the process.

3. During reprocessing, I’ll guide you through bilateral stimulation while you focus on an image or belief connected to a past event. Your brain begins to make new connections, shifting how that memory lives in your body.

4. After EMDR sessions, many people feel lighter, more clear, or less reactive to situations that used to feel overwhelming.

   
   

Can You Do EMDR Virtually?

Yes. I offer EMDR therapy online for people living in New York. Virtual EMDR is just as effective as in-person sessions and is often more comfortable for Gen Z and Millennial clients who prefer being in their own space.

I use secure tools that make the process smooth and supportive, even through a screen.

Is EMDR Right for Me?

If you feel like:

• Therapy has helped, but not fully

• You shut down or overreact and don’t always know why

• There are memories or past situations that still affect you

• You’re tired of managing the same patterns with willpower alone

Then EMDR might be a good next step.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting. We work together to find a pace and focus that feels manageable.

FAQs About EMDR Therapy

Can EMDR therapy be done online? Yes. EMDR can be done virtually using secure tools that guide you through the process from home. Many people prefer it because they feel more comfortable in their own space.

Do I need to have a big trauma for EMDR to work? Not at all. EMDR helps with a wide range of issues, including stress, grief, anxiety, social fears, and childhood experiences that still affect your self-esteem or relationships.

How do I start EMDR therapy in New York? You can [contact me here] to schedule a consultation or visit the EMDR page to learn more about how I work.

Is EMDR therapy good for anxiety? Yes. EMDR has been shown to be highly effective for anxiety, especially when anxiety is tied to past events or internal beliefs that have not been fully processed.

Final Thoughts

Healing doesn't always come from talking about something over and over. EMDR gives your brain and body a way to process the things that still take up space, even if you’ve tried to move on.

If you’re looking for EMDR therapy in New York, especially if you’re navigating anxiety, trauma, or stress as a Gen Z or Millennial adult, I’d be happy to support you. My virtual EMDR sessions are open to clients across the state.

Therapy Details

Offering EMDR therapy online for adults, Gen Z, and Millennials across New York, including Westchester, Brooklyn, and surrounding areas. Virtual sessions available statewide.

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About the Author

Attiya Awadallah is a licensed psychotherapist and creative arts therapist based in New York. She helps young adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions with compassion and creativity. With over 10 years of experience, she combines evidence-based methods, including EMDR and art therapy, to provide personalized support that meets each client where they are. She works with Gen Z and Millennials to help them build resilience, reconnect with themselves, and create meaningful change. Learn more about her practice at Lenora: Art Therapy and Counseling.