Trauma can leave deep, invisible wounds that continue to affect daily life long after the traumatic events have ended. For individuals with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), these impacts are often layered, ongoing, and difficult to untangle. While at times, traditional therapies may be effective in addressing some of the issues, they may not always reach the root cause of the suffering.
That’s where EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) comes in.
In this blog, we are going to take a look at what EMDR is, how EMDR for complex PTSD works, how it differs from standard PTSD treatment, and why it may offer hope for deep healing.
What Is Complex PTSD?
Before we get into the different ways that Complex PTSD can be treated, let’s first explain what exactly Complex PTSD is.
Complex PTSD is a psychological condition that arises from prolonged, repeated exposure to trauma, often interpersonal in nature. While traditional PTSD may stem from a single traumatic event like a car accident or natural disaster, Complex PTSD is more likely to result from chronic situations such as:
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- Domestic violence
- Human trafficking
- Repeated exposure to combat
- Prolonged emotional abuse
As a result, the symptoms are also different, going beyond the “typical” flashbacks and hyperarousal. Some of the symptoms unique to Complex PTSD include:
- Chronic feelings of shame, guilt, or worthlessness
- Difficulty in forming or maintaining relationships
- Emotional dysregulation
- Dissociation or detachment from self
- Persistent negative self-beliefs
Because Complex PTSD doesn’t look and feel like regular PTSD, it is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood.
How Complex PTSD Differs from Standard PTSD
As we touched on, while both are forms of PTSD, Complex PTSD and standard PTSD differ significantly in origin, symptoms, and, as a result of those two, therapeutic needs.
Standard PTSD typically develops after a single traumatic event, with symptoms typically involving flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing. Complex PTSD, on the other hand, stems from repeated or prolonged trauma, often in childhood or within relationships where the person felt powerless to escape. This type of trauma leads to a more pervasive impact on a person’s identity, emotional regulation, and interpersonal functioning.
While someone with Complex PTSD may still experience flashbacks or intrusive thoughts, they also struggle on a much deeper level, such as:
- Having persistent negative self-beliefs
- Having difficulty regulating emotions
- Experiencing chronic relationship problems
Understanding EMDR Therapy: An Overview
For those struggling with Complex PTSD, this is where EMDR therapy comes in. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, also known as EMDR therapy, is a form of psychotherapy developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. While it was initially created to treat standard PTSD, it has since expanded to address a number of other mental health struggles as well, including Complex PTSD.
The idea behind EMDR is that the brain has a natural healing process that can get “stuck” due to unprocessed trauma. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess distressing memories so they are no longer psychologically disruptive.
Unlike talk therapy, EMDR does not require the person in therapy to verbalize the trauma in great detail. Instead, it helps reduce emotional distress associated with traumatic memories, allowing people to move forward without being controlled by their past.
The Science Behind EMDR and Trauma Processing
Since trauma often interferes with the brain’s adaptive information processing (AIP) system, when a traumatic event occurs, the amygdala (the brain’s fear center) becomes overactive, and the prefrontal cortex (the rational part of the brain) becomes underactive. This disrupts memory integration, leaving the brain unable to properly process the trauma.
EMDR facilitates the desensitization of these memories through bilateral stimulation, which may include:
- Eye movements
- Tapping
- Auditory tones
This stimulation mimics the biological mechanisms of REM sleep, during which the brain naturally processes emotions and memories. EMDR may help “unstick” the traumatic memories and move them into long-term, adaptive memory storage, reducing their emotional charge.
How EMDR Helps People with Complex PTSD
For those suffering from Complex PTSD specifically, EMDR can help support healing in a number of ways, including:
- Targeting Root Trauma – Unlike therapies that only address symptoms, EMDR gets to the core of unresolved memories.
- Reducing Emotional Intensity – EMDR helps significantly decrease the distress related to traumatic memories, even when the events are not openly discussed.
- Improving Self-Beliefs – EMDR includes phases that address negative core beliefs and replace them with more adaptive ones.
- Restoring Autonomy – By resolving the impact of long-term abuse or manipulation, EMDR helps survivors reclaim a sense of control and self-worth.
What to Expect During an EMDR Session
While sessions may differ based on a variety of factors, including the therapist, EMDR sessions typically include the following elements:
- Preparation – The therapist helps establish emotional safety, grounding techniques, and coping tools.
- Target Identification – Both parties identify specific memories or themes to work on.
- Desensitization – The person in therapy focuses on the memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, gradually reducing emotional distress.
- Installation – Positive beliefs are paired with the memory to promote lasting change.
- Body Scan – The person in therapy notices any residual physical tension or discomfort.
- Closure – The therapist ensures that the person in therapy is grounded and stable before ending the session.
Sessions typically last 60–90 minutes and may be more frequent in the beginning phases of treatment.
EMDR Phases: Step-by-Step Through the Process
EMDR therapy typically follows an eight-phase protocol:
- History Taking – the therapist gathers detailed information about trauma history and assesses readiness.
- Preparation – Coping strategies and safety plans are developed.
- Assessment – Specific traumatic memories are targeted, and negative beliefs and emotions are identified.
- Desensitization – Bilateral stimulation begins as the person in therapy processes the trauma.
- Installation – Positive, adaptive beliefs are introduced and strengthened.
- Body Scan – The therapist checks for residual somatic stress and addresses it as needed.
- Closure – The session ends with grounding techniques to restore emotional equilibrium.
- Re-evaluation – In the next session, progress is reviewed and new targets are selected.
Is EMDR Safe for Complex Trauma Survivors?
Not only is EMDR considered safe for Complex Trauma survivors, as you can see, it is the preferred therapy method for many therapists and clinicians. That being said, it is important to note that, due to the layered nature of complex trauma, EMDR is typically introduced only after:
- Emotional stability is established
- Triggers are well-managed
- Coping mechanisms are in place
EMDR vs. Other Therapies for Complex PTSD
As we mentioned, while EMDR may be the most effective, it is not the only type of therapy that can be used to treat Complex PTSD.
On that note, though, let’s take a look at how EMDR stacks up with some of the other therapies that can be used:
EMDR vs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors. While effective for symptom reduction, it may not reach deeply held traumatic memory networks like EMDR does.
EMDR vs Talk Therapy
Traditional talk therapy helps process emotions, but can be re-traumatizing if painful memories are discussed without resolution. EMDR accesses trauma indirectly, making it safer for some.
EMDR vs Somatic Therapies
Somatic therapies focus on body-based healing. EMDR includes body awareness in its protocol, offering a bridge between cognitive and physical healing.
Who Is a Good Candidate for EMDR?
EMDR can be highly effective for individuals who:
- Have experienced chronic or early-life trauma
- Struggle with intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
- Feel stuck in traditional therapy
- Want to process trauma without verbalizing every detail
- Have strong internal coping mechanisms or are willing to build them
Common Challenges and How Therapists Address Them
As is the case with any type of therapy, over the course of a session, or even multiple sessions, challenges can arise. Let’s take a look at some of the common challenges that may arise during EMDR therapy sessions:
- Dissociation – Some people in therapy “zone out” during sessions. When that happens, the therapist may use grounding techniques or slower pacing to maintain connection.
- Emotional Flooding – When emotions become overwhelming, a session may be paused in order to return the focus to stabilization.
- Memory Gaps – In cases of repressed or fragmented memories, EMDR can still work by targeting physical sensations or emotions rather than specific events.
- Therapeutic Readiness – Not every person is ready for trauma processing. Therapists may spend weeks or months in preparation before active reprocessing begins.
Finding a Qualified EMDR Therapist
When searching for an EMDR therapist, you will want to make sure they:
- Are certified through EMDRIA (EMDR International Association)
- Have specialized training in treating Complex PTSD
- Have experience with dissociative symptoms and trauma-informed care
- Have a collaborative, patient-centered approach
Final Thoughts: Is EMDR for Complex PTSD Right for Your Trauma Recovery?
Living with Complex PTSD can feel like carrying invisible scars that never fully heal. But with the right support, those scars can become sources of strength rather than pain.
At California Healing Centers, we offer the support needed to help address and treat Complex PTSD, whether that be through EMDR therapy, another form of therapy, or a combination of therapies.
For more information about our treatment programs or to learn how we can help with Complex PTSD, contact us today.
