This is a second blog, a follow-up to the previous post, published on May 8, 2025. I believe so strongly in the topic of assessment that I wanted to write more about the pitfalls of clinicians’ that are promising fast results in therapy without assessment. And in just two short weeks since publishing the last blog, I’ve been bombarded my new client inquiries from individuals who have been on the EMDR treadmill with other clinicians, promising fast results without ever having met for an assessment. This is becoming such a troubling theme to me I felt driven to write another post, reinforcing the one from May 8th.
In a world that equates efficiency with success, the appeal of fast results is hard to resist. We are bombarded by social media, advertisements for medications, ads for quick-fix therapies and quick-fixes to career and relationships. We are also bombarded with quick fixes for trauma histories that TOTALLY discount the changes that happen to the brain and body when subjected to trauma. On one hand, I get it. When we are suffering we want to feel better. But with therapy, following promises without an assessment and initial therapy sessions is a HUGE mistake.
I also do not want to minimize the effectiveness of some “fast” modalities like clinical hypnosis or even RRT (when applied correctly and ethically) or even, yes, EMDR; but, when an individual has experienced multiple traumas, especially from key-developmental periods of life, fast results are counter-productive and counter-intuitive to what we know about how trauma impacts the body, the brain, human development and attachment. This is especially true in therapy spaces.
You may have seen therapists advertising “rapid EMDR therapy” or “healing trauma in just 3 sessions.” But here’s the problem: healing isn’t something that can be timed before you know the size, shape and depth of the wound. Promising quick EMDR outcomes without even meeting the client isn’t just a marketing misstep—it’s a misunderstanding of trauma, the brain, and what it takes to truly heal. If you see “trauma-informed” paired with “rapid healing in ‘X’ # of sessions!”, I urged you to keep scrolling.
(And I want to be totally transparent, because I also offer intensive EMDR; but, to date, I have never offered it as a package without first doing thorough assessment and I have also not offered it without fully understanding the client’s presenting concerns, their past experiences in therapy, and their trauma history. I also never promise it will “totally heal” or “never experience flashbacks again.” In other words, any intensive EMDR has been offered after walking towards the experience, not running towards it.) If you’ve experienced multiple traumas and you are reading this, without having met you I can say one thing for sure: you are resilient. And resiliency is the key to healing.
Trauma Healing Is Like Surgery, Not a Spa Treatment
Imagine a surgeon guaranteeing the duration and outcome of a complex procedure without ever reviewing your medical chart or seeing a scan. Ridiculous, right? Yet it happens and this is what happens when therapists offer fast-track EMDR programs with blanket promises.
Trauma is not one-size-fits-all. It reshapes the nervous system, memory networks, and the body’s stress response (van der Kolk, 2014). Before an EMDR therapist can know how long therapy will take, they must understand (among other things):
- The nature and complexity of your trauma
- Your nervous system’s capacity to tolerate distress
- Your current coping skills and supports
- Whether you’re dealing with single-incident trauma or complex/developmental trauma
Without a thorough assessment, any promise of speed is pure speculation.
EMDR Therapy: Powerful, Yes—Predictable, No
Research shows EMDR is a highly effective, sometimes more rapid treatment compared to traditional therapies for PTSD (Shapiro, 2018; Lee & Cuijpers, 2013). But “faster” doesn’t mean fast for everyone. I have witnessed this in my practice and studies show significant variability in the number of sessions required, even among similar diagnostic profiles (Zarate et al., 2022). Why am I confident in saying this and putting this cited quote in my blog? Because I see it in my practice every week: I see people heal from trauma survival in a few sessions and I see people take years. Nobody, I repeat again, nobody and nobody’s experience of trauma is ever the same. This is why some people experience the same natural disaster and have different outcomes in how they handle life afterwards. And the other major influence that is not talked about enough with clients it their current circumstances. We call these psychosocial stressors: social, environmental and cultural factors present in a client’s life while seeking therapy will also greatly impact the outcomes.
The other issue consumers of EMDR therapy will face is that many EMDR trained clinicians are simply not equipped to work with complex PTSD or issues requiring conceptualization beyond the standard, EMDR protocol. I was recently in a routine, continuing education for EMDR and the trainer made a good point. He said, “so many trained EMDR clinicians give up on practicing and offering EMDR because it is one of the most difficult therapeutic modalities for clinician’s to conceptualize how to use effectively. BINGO!
Many clients have come to me after being put through the standard, 8-phase EMDR protocol, when (in theory) this may be indicated and their past therapist was doing what they thought was right, but in their individual situation, has done more harm. This is the conceptualization I noted above.
History-taking, preparation, and resource building are essential and these three parts of EMDR will allow a properly trained and Certified-EMDR clinician (by EMDRIA) to understand if the traditional 8-Phase model is appropriate or if EMDR 2.0 makes more sense; or, one of the multitude of variations to EMDR, like The Progressive Approach (Mosquera, D. (2017) or others. Skipping [assessments or proper rapport building] or rushing to meet a marketing promise, is not just poor practice, it can destabilize a client and cause emotional flooding (Paulsen, 2009).
“Slower Is Faster”: The Wisdom Behind the Trauma-Informed Approach
The phrase “slower is faster” isn’t just a slogan—it’s neurobiologically sound advice. Trauma dysregulates the nervous system, and jumping too quickly into reprocessing (especially with bilateral stimulation) can trigger flashbacks, shutdown, or dissociation. And this doesn’t mean you are broken if this happens. It means your body is doing what it was intended to do when it thinks there is a threat. Remember that this is, in a nut shell, what PTSD is. It is your body responding to protect you from what it thinks is about to happen or is currently happening based on your previous experiences. If this happens and isn’t addressed, it means your therapist is not attuned to your needs.
Therapists who respect the “window of tolerance” (Siegel, 2010) pace EMDR based on the client’s real-time nervous system cues, not on a stopwatch or pricing tier. Even better, I psychoeducation my clients on the PolyVagal theory before diving into EMDR. It is a powerful set of knowledge about how and why our nervous system does what it does and how to help regulate it.
Trying to “push through” trauma faster than the body can handle is like trying to climb a mountain in a sprint—you’re more likely to collapse than to summit. I’m not a perfect therapist and even with my “slower is faster” approach, I’ve had to slow down even further and adapt EMDR significantly for some clients. Again, they aren’t broken, they aren’t doing EMDR wrong (something I hear all the time from those who have had bad EMDR experiences before coming to me), their nervous system is simply telling us, ‘I need more time.’
And, the fact that good trauma therapist’s know and adhere to the above wisdom also means that for those who have survived unimaginable trauma experiences, the prospect of addressing it week-after-week can be a scary proposition. But I can tell you from experience of working with clients who have been so resilient to live through the most unimaginable experiences, it may be difficult but, ultimately, they also find it rewarding. Take the example of a client who saw me years ago. They were open to the idea of integrating a solutions-focused/strengths-based approach to therapy into their EMDR therapy. Through this, I infused homework and they were able to eventually find the courage and strength to create a boundary with their life-long, abusive parent (in large part to EMDR and the homework outside of sessions, geared to finding their inner strength). In short succession afterwards, they quit their job (which they were miserable in) and moved to a new state (that aligned more with their geographic ideals and psychology of geography. They reached out to me recently and they are thriving and building community. In other words, a great EMDR clinician is a great assessor, diagnostician and is able to work with all the psychosocial stressors the client brings to therapy and is OPEN (I put this in caps because some EMDR therapists refuse to use anything other than EMDR) to integrating other therapy modalities. EMDR is a tool. My toolbox is full of may other tools.
Beware of Therapy-as-Commerce: The Warehouse Club Sample Table Metaphor
When you walk through a Warehouse Club, you might be offered a “free sample” that’s quick, easy, and enticing. I was in one last weekend to pick up some bulk staples. A nice man with a hairnet was hawking ready-made lunch items. He was reciting a script about how much time the product can save parents getting their kids ready for school. But trauma healing isn’t a cheese cube on a toothpick or a ready-made lunch item—it’s a surgical procedure that requires planning, expertise, and attunement. I often use this reference with my clients. I ask them to picture someone with a physical wound that was poorly sutured years ago after an emergency surgery. Like that metaphor, I ask them to image that proper use of EMDR is like gently opening the poorly sutured wound, cleaning it, allowing it to heal, and closing it back up so carefully and precisely that the wound will be barely visible (this is the EMDR reprocessing phase), if at all, when we are done. Remember that if you are experiencing PTSD triggers, it is likely because after the traumatic incident, you were in such a high stress state (understandably) that your body didn’t get a chance to metabolize the memory(ies) of the incident(s). Therefore, the brain stores bits and pieces to protect you (i.e.: flashbacks, thinking its happening again, physical symptoms, startling easily, etc)….
Unfortunately, some EMDR marketing today mimics upselling culture: offering packages, bundling reprocessing sessions, and advertising “silver” vs. “gold” trauma care. The problem is, you’re not buying a blender, cheese cubes or quick lunch items—you’re trying to heal your brain and body. And healing doesn’t happen in bundles without assessment.
The Rush to Automate: AI-EMDR Platforms and the Loss of Human Wisdom
AI-based EMDR tools are now being marketed as faster, cheaper, and more scalable. But no clinical trials to date have established their safety or effectiveness in delivering trauma therapy. At least none I could find as of today (05/26/2025). (Please send me some if I am mistaken and I will happily read them and re-publish with an amendment.)
Unlike meditation apps or AI journaling tools, EMDR therapy involves shifting memory networks, managing dissociation, and providing real-time containment. A machine can’t read facial expressions, track subtle nervous system shifts, or offer compassionate presence during a memory of assault or loss. The therapist is literally rebuilding healthy attachment. This said, I want to be clear that there are some automated EMDR tools and apps I integrate with my client. I am all for healing trauma any way possible. But the human connection is key as part of that equation. (On a side note, I am also troubled that many of the AI EMDR tools I’ve been coming across have also managed to skirt state and federal healthcare licensing laws. One such company was so blatantly unethical I felt obligated to report them. The licensing board wasn’t equipped to help investigate, though the person who I spoke with agreed that technology is outpacing regulation. Bottom line: beware.
To support my claim above, I found one article from 2019, that stated, there is no empirical support for AI-delivered EMDR as a standalone modality. And while AI may one day assist skilled clinicians, it cannot replace the healing power of human connection (Norcross & Lambert, 2019).
Ethical EMDR Therapy: What to Look For
If you’re looking for EMDR therapy, seek out a therapist who:
- Conducts a thorough assessment before offering timelines
- Explains the EMDR process and its phases and many of it variations
- Is trauma-informed and paces therapy with your nervous system, not your calendar
- Avoids “session packages” or “guaranteed results” without first having worked with you
- Is transparent about the risks of reprocessing and the importance of readiness
- And I may be partial, but there are WAY too many training programs for EMDR popping up that do not respect the complexity of becoming a great EMDR clinician. I always suggest finding a therapist who is certified (at a minimum) by one of the international EMDR organizations. This will ensure, at a minimum, your EMDR clinician is taking annual continuing education to maintain their certification standards. I am Certified and an Approved Consultant with EMDRIA.
Conclusion: Fast Isn’t the Same as Good—Especially in Trauma Therapy
It’s natural to want fast relief from pain. But trauma isn’t a tech bug—it’s a wound woven into your nervous system. The good news? EMDR therapy, when done with care and skill, can transform your life. I’ve been told my 100s of clients that it has transformed their lives. And the truth is, in total transparency, even for those who swear by EMDR but who grew up in a childhood of unimaginable, repeated trauma; EMDR has allowed them the space needed to rebuild their lives. But that transformation begins not with speed, but with safety. And this isn’t to say it cannot be fast.
The bottom line is this: Avoid therapists or tools that treat trauma like a sales funnel. You’re not a number. You’re a human being with a story—and you deserve therapy that honors that. If you feel like your being treated too quickly, say something. You (I repeat YOU) are the expert on your life. Not the psychotherapist.
References
Lee, C. W., & Cuijpers, P. (2013). A meta-analysis of the contribution of eye movements in EMDR therapy: A component analysis. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 51(5), 296–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2013.01.003
Mosquera, D. (2017). EMDR and dissociation: The progressive approach. EMDR Europe Publishing.
Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2019). Psychotherapy relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 56(2), 229–230. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000233
Paulsen, S. (2009). Looking Through the Eyes of Trauma and Dissociation: An Illustrated Guide for EMDR Therapists and Clients. EMDR Solutions Press.
Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
Siegel, D. J. (2010). The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are. Guilford Press.
van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.
Zarate, R., Barreto, C., & Silvers, J. A. (2022). Individual variability in trauma processing: Neural predictors of EMDR therapy outcomes. Journal of Affective Disorders, 310, 236–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.04.015
One Final Afterthought On The Role of AI in EMDR Therapy
I found another article after writing this blog and rather than re-write the blog I’m adding this bit of information as an amendment:
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into mental health services, including EMDR therapy, is an emerging field. A study by Pagani et al. (2024) explored the efficacy of AI-supported remote EMDR therapy for individuals with PTSD-like symptoms related to COVID-19. The findings indicated that AI-assisted sessions, when combined with therapist support, were as effective as traditional in-person therapy. However, the study also highlighted the importance of the therapist’s active presence, suggesting that AI should augment, not replace, human interaction in therapy sessions.
This article backs up what I have seen in practice through anecdotal evidence of client success with AI integration.
Pagani, M., Di Lorenzo, G., Verardo, A. R., Nicolais, G., Monaco, L., Lauretti, G., … & Siracusano, A. (2024). Remote Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Treatment of Long-COVID- and Post-COVID-Related Traumatic Disorders: An Innovative Approach. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(4), 1234. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13041234:contentReference[oaicite:79]{index=79}
