One of the things I've learned through my work as a trauma therapist is that readiness looks different for everyone.
Preparation and Pacing: Why Readiness Matters
Some people arrive with a particular memory they want to process and feel ready to begin relatively quickly. Others may need more time to understand their protective responses, develop internal resources, or feel comfortable noticing difficult emotions and physical sensations.
I'm paying attention to more than the story you're telling me. I'm also noticing changes in your breathing, body language, emotional responses, and ability to stay connected to the present. Just as importantly, I'm checking in with you about what you're experiencing internally.
Sometimes that means we're ready to move into memory processing. Other times, it means slowing down, working with a protective part, or focusing on emotional regulation.
Preparation isn't something we rush through to get to the "real work." It's an important part of the work itself.
Can EMDR Therapy Feel Uncomfortable?
Because EMDR involves working with distressing experiences, uncomfortable emotions, memories, or physical sensations may arise during treatment. Some people also notice temporary changes in their emotional experience between sessions.
This doesn't necessarily mean something is going wrong, but it does mean that preparation, communication, and pacing matter. Your therapist should help you understand what to expect, monitor your responses, and develop ways to manage distress if it arises.
The goal isn't to overwhelm your nervous system or push through difficult experiences as quickly as possible. It's to support therapeutic processing in a way that is appropriate for you.
How I Integrate EMDR, IFS, and Somatic Approaches
I don't approach trauma therapy with the assumption that one method will be right for everyone.
EMDR is one of the approaches I use, but depending on your needs, I may also incorporate Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed parts work, somatic interventions, or other trauma-informed strategies.
For example, if a protective part of you feels apprehensive about revisiting a painful memory, we may spend time getting curious about that response rather than pushing past it.
If you notice yourself becoming overwhelmed or disconnected, we may shift toward grounding, regulation, or helping you reconnect with the present.
These decisions are guided by your history, goals, preferences, and responses during treatment.
EMDR has an established evidence base for PTSD. The research on specific combinations of EMDR with IFS or somatic interventions is more limited, so I view integration as an individualized clinical approach rather than a guarantee of better outcomes.
What matters most is that the work is collaborative, thoughtfully paced, and responsive to you.
If you're curious about whether EMDR might be appropriate for you, I invite you to learn more about my approach to EMDR therapy and how we might work together.
