Afraid to Try EMDR

[JordiBB]

I've been researching EMDR for my PTSD but I keep seeing scary stories online about people feeling worse after sessions. My therapist suggested it but I'm terrified something will go wrong. Can anyone recommend a good resource on is EMDR therapy safe, overall safety, when it's safe, risks when improperly administered? I need honest information before I start.

[Lebizoga]

I was in the exact same spot. My therapist recommended EMDR for my PTSD and I spent weeks reading horror stories online and got so scared I almost cancelled. What helped me understand was realizing those scary cases were usually from therapists who skipped proper preparation. I started reading through this really honest resource at EMDR therapy side effects and what to expect (https://citizenadvocates.net/blog/is-emdr-therapy-safe) that covers overall safety, when it is safe to use, and specifically what risks come from improper administration. It was super straightforward and didnt sugar anything. The main takeaway was that EMDR is safe when a properly trained therapist does thorough assessment first and builds coping skills before processing trauma. My therapist actually followed all those steps and the experience was completely different from what I was fearing. Your fear is totally valid. Get informed first and you will feel much more confident about starting.