If you’ve ever been curious about EMDR but found yourself hesitant because of what you’ve heard in Christian circles, you’re not alone. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the most misunderstood—but also most effective—trauma therapies available today. As a licensed trauma therapist, EMDR Certified clinician, EMDR Approved Consultant, and committed follower of Jesus, I want to share what EMDR is, how it works, and why it doesn’t contradict your faith.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR was developed in the 1980s by Francine Shapiro, who noticed that her emotional distress reduced when she moved her eyes back and forth while thinking about a traumatic memory. After research, clinical trials, and decades of use—including endorsements by the US Veterans Administration and World Health Organization—EMDR is now recognized as one of the top evidence-based treatments for PTSD and complex trauma.
How EMDR Works
Think of your brain like a file cabinet. When trauma happens, it’s like someone opened that cabinet and dumped all your files on the floor. Memories become disorganized, raw, and easily triggered. EMDR helps your brain refocus and “refile” those memories in a way that reduces emotional distress and makes sense of your past.
Using bilateral stimulation (like eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones), EMDR facilitates the reprocessing of traumatic memories. It doesn’t erase what happened. Instead, it helps the brain integrate those experiences so they no longer hijack your emotions or body.
It’s Science—And It’s Biblical
I hear the concerns from Christian communities: “Is EMDR new-age?” “Shouldn’t Scripture be enough?” Let’s talk about it.
First, EMDR is grounded in neuroscience. Functional MRIs and EEGs have shown that EMDR creates real changes in the brain—what we call neuroplasticity. Trauma rewires your brain to live in constant survival mode. EMDR helps rewire it for peace, clarity, and connection. That’s not witchcraft. That’s design. And I believe the Designer made our brains capable of healing. This is supported in Scripture – Romans talks about the “renewing of the mind” (see Romans 12:2).
Second, Scripture is foundational—but it’s not exhaustive. As our very own biblical counselor, Jacque Escue, once told me: “Scripture is sufficient, but it is not exhaustive.” We use doctors and physical therapy to help our bodies heal. Why wouldn’t we also use well-researched, effective tools like EMDR to help heal our minds?
Addressing Common Myths
1. “It’s demonic or new age.”
Nope. It’s not a spiritual practice. It’s neuroscience. If you’re a believer working with a Christian therapist, EMDR can even integrate prayer and Scripture. One criticism I hear often is that the creator was not a believer and wove in Buddhist ideology. I’ve not found this to be true (though she does make mention of some of her personal beliefs in the texts and she did not claim to be a Christian); however, any tool can be good or not so good depending on who is using it. As with any counseling – biblical or licensed – the counselor matters.
2. “It unlocks false or repressed memories.”
Ethical EMDR therapists do not “implant ideas.” In fact, many clients feel more grounded and emotionally regulated after sessions. The body often confirms what the mind has been too afraid to hold. We also can’t discount dissociation for severe trauma. God made our brains so intentionally and suppressing abuse is part of how we are protected. If a memory resurfaces it fits in with what is already known and there is a settling of the body that occurs.
3. “It bypasses Scripture.”
Absolutely not. In fact, many of my Christian clients report deeper spiritual healing during EMDR sessions. EMDR invites us to take thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and renew our minds (Romans 12:2 again) with truth. Additionally, when someone believes they are “damaged goods” due the abuse they’ve experienced, EMDR can help them disentangle that false belief and move toward, “I am a child of the King and worthy of love.” That is inherently scriptural and not at all bypassing the goodness God has given us in Scripture.
Why This Matters
Christians are often told to just “pray more” or “have more faith” when they’re experiencing the symptoms of trauma. That’s not only unhelpful—it can be spiritually harmful – and it certainly does not look like Jesus. Trauma lives in the body, not just the mind. God created us as whole beings: mind, body, and spirit. Effective trauma therapy honors all three.
When a client sits in my office and says, “Jesus showed up in my EMDR session,” I’m reminded that God meets us where we are—even in our neural pathways.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been skeptical about EMDR, I get it. But I also encourage you to take a deeper look. Don’t base your views on fear or misinformation. Ask questions. Pray. Seek wisdom. God is not intimidated by psychology. He created the brain. And sometimes, healing comes when we allow Him to work through the tools He’s made available to us.
Trauma doesn’t have to eat your lunch forever. There is hope. There is healing. And EMDR might just be one of the ways God brings it to you.
Want to learn more or connect with one of our EMDR-trained therapists?
Watch this Episode of Hey Tabi