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EMDR Therapy for Anxiety and Panic Attacks
How It Works and What the Research Shows
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EMDR Therapy for Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Anxiety Panic Attacks
Anxiety and panic attacks reflect a nervous system that has learned and adapted, often in response to trauma, to remain on high alert. Understanding what happened through logic, insight, and reasoning doesn’t fully resolve or change how the body responds. Even when you know why you feel anxious, your body may continue to react as if something threatening is still present. This is why talking about what happened doesn’t alleviate all of the anxiety symptoms. EMDR works directly with how distress is stored in the brain and nervous system. It is an evidence-based approach that helps access, release and reorganize the way trauma is stored. This helps you reconnect with your body and allows your nervous system to be more present, balanced and grounded.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders range from generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorder, specific phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), agoraphobia, adjustment disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, substance induced anxiety disorder and separation anxiety disorder.
Understanding Anxiety and the Brain
Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety is not only experienced as ruminating, worrisome thoughts it is also felt deeply throughout the body. From a neuroscience perspective, anxiety is driven primarily by the amygdala and limbic system, areas of your brain responsible for detecting threat and ensuring survival. When a person experiences overwhelming stress, shock or trauma the brain can’t fully process the experience, leaving it unprocessed. Even when the threat has passed, these unprocessed memories can continue to fire, sending signals of fear, alarm or dread into the body.
This is why many people continue to experience anxiety and panic attacks even after gaining insight into past trauma. It also helps explain why traditional talk therapy often falls short in addressing the ongoing impacts of trauma. Even when you understand what happened, insight alone does not deactivate the body’s survival response. EMDR therapy works at a deeper level, helping the brain process, release and repair from unresolved trauma.
How EMDR Rewires the Stress Response
EMDR Treatment
EMDR therapy is a trauma-informed therapy that involves recalling a stressful past event and re-processing the memory using bilateral stimulation. Bilateral stimulation alternating right and left movements such as eye movements, tapping or auditory tones to activate both hemispheres of the brain while a person connects with a distressing memory. This process allows stuck trauma memories to move through the brain's natural healing pathways. Bilateral stimulation supports neural integration as both sides of the brain are activated when recalling a past trauma or stressful experience.
In simple terms, EMDR helps the brain do what it was designed to do, process and resolve experiences that were too overwhelming at the time they occurred. The bilateral stimulation ensures both sides of the brain are active and present while reprocessing the traumatic experience. This is often not the case when going through trauma. And in fact, it is considered a primary reason for feeling stuck in a past trauma and why EMDR is effective. Theories as to why EMDR works are still evolving, but many people have found it to be extremely beneficial.
EMDR Helps Traumatic
Memories to be Reconsolidated
EMDR also works by supporting memory reconsolidation. When a traumatic memory is reprocessed during EMDR, it becomes malleable or available to be updated. As the mind and body reprocess the experience while the nervous system remains regulated, the memory has the opportunity to be reconsolidated without the same emotional charge. The memory doesn’t disappear, but it is no longer stored as a present day threat. Instead of potentially triggering anxiety, panic or overwhelm it becomes integrated as something that happened in the past. This allows both the body and mind to be in the present with greater calm and safety.
What the Research Says About EMDR for Anxiety
There is a large body of research that supports the use of EMDR therapy not only for healing trauma but also for treating anxiety. A 2020 meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials found that EMDR was associated with significant reductions in anxiety symptoms overall, including panic attacks, phobias, nervous system activation and somatic -body sensations. Smaller clinical studies have also shown EMDR to be effective in reducing worry, panic and rumination in people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
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EMDR Compared to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Compared with traditional approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), research shows EMDR is equally as effective with some studies showing stronger anxiety symptom reduction posttreatment. Although CBT and medication are still considered standard forms of treatment for GAD and panic disorders, EMDR offers a trauma-informed alternative that addresses deeper unresolved emotional memories and nervous system activation rather than primarily focusing on current thought patterns.
Overall research shows the effectiveness of EMDR in treating anxiety particularly when anxiety is linked to traumatic or distressing life experiences. Further research is needed to compare EMDR with CBT for long term health outcomes.
EMDR for Panic Attacks and Chronic Stress
Anxiety EMDR Therapy
EMDR can be especially effective for panic attacks and chronic stress because it directly targets the nervous system patterns that drive these experiences. Panic often involves chest tightness, a rapid heart rate, shallow breathing, body tingling, and sudden waves of fear. EMDR helps process and regulate these patterns by addressing the underlying memories and body sensations that keep the nervous system activated in fight, flight or freeze. As the emotional charge is released from these memories, the nervous system is able to return to a more regulated, present state which lessens overall anxiety patterns. Grounding practices are woven into this work to help individuals stay present, track internal sensations, and feel safe in the moment. This restores a sense of control and inner stability.
FAQ's
Can EMDR therapy be done online?
EMDR therapy can be done both in person and online. Online or virtual EMDR sessions provide an alternative for those who prefer to be in the comfort of their own home or who may have difficulty in finding an in person therapist.
Can EMDR therapy be done at the same time as cognitive behavioral therapy?
EMDR therapy can be effectively combined with other treatment modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
How many sessions of EMDR therapy are typically required?
The number of sessions required varies, depending on the individual on the complexity of their symptoms.
How should I find an EMDR therapist?
It's important to find an EMDR therapist you feel you can trust and who makes you feel understood and cared for. It is recommended to have specific questions to a potential EMDR therapist to ensure they are a good fit for your needs.
Is EMDR therapy evidence based?
EMDR therapy is an evidence based modality. Organizations like the world, health organization, and the American psychiatric association recognize EMDR as an effective treatment for trauma. There has been a substantial amount of research supporting the effectiveness of EMDR.
Has EMDR been shown to be effective with anxiety and panic attacks?
Recent shows EMDR can be as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing symptoms of anxiety. In one study people with generalized anxiety disorder treated with EMDR showed a significant drop and anxiety symptoms below the diagnostic level after treatment. Many studies has shown the EMDR Kiehn lead to a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms after just a few sessions.
Schedule Your EMDR Therapy for Anxiety Today
Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation to see how we can helpAbout the Authors
Hilary Stokes Phd
HIlary Stokes, Ph.D., LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist in California with more than 25 years of clinical experience, specializing in trauma therapy, PTSD treatment, anxiety, depression, and nervous system healing. She holds Master's degrees in Clinical Social Work and Kinesiology and Sports Psychology and a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology with a specialization in Tibetan Buddhist Psychology. Dr. Stokes is extensively trained and certified in brainspotting, EMDR, somatic therapy and other mind body approaches. Her integrative work bridges neuroscience, mindfulness, and holistic psychology to help clients process unresolved trauma, rewire stress patterns, and build emotional resilience.
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Dr. Stokes’ clinical approach is informed by advanced professional training and her own healing journey from complex trauma, which shaped her commitment to therapies that go beyond traditional talk therapy. She has worked in psychiatric hospitals, addiction and PTSD treatment centers, universities, integrative medical facilities, and private practice. As co-developer of the psychology and wellness programming at Sanoviv Medical Institute, she witnessed firsthand the power of integrating mind and body for lasting transformation. Today she helps individuals heal trauma, strengthen emotional regulation and reclaim purpose through brainspotting, EMDR, somatic therapy and mindfulness interventions.
Kim Ward Phd
Kim Ward, Ph.D. holds both a masters and a doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology with a specialization in Tibetan Buddhist Psychology. She brings more than 25 years of experience in trauma recovery, Brainspotting and mind-body transformation. She is extensively trained and certified in Brainspotting, somatic therapy, and trauma-informed approaches. Dr. Ward integrates neuroscience, nervous system regulation and consciousness-based psychology to help individuals process unresolved trauma, shift limiting beliefs, and access greater emotional resilience. Her work focuses on healing at the root, beyond symptom management, through brain-body therapies that create lasting change.
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As co-developer of the psychology and wellness programs at Sanoviv Medical Institute, Dr. Ward brings a uniquely holistic perspective to trauma therapy and personal growth. Her path from corporate leadership into psychology shaped her commitment to helping clients move beyond external success toward embodied fulfillment and emotional freedom. Dr. Ward's expertise combines Brainspotting, emotional intelligence, contemplative psychology and purpose-driven coaching. Drawing from both advanced academic training and lived experience navigating complex family mental health dynamics, she supports clients in transforming stress patterns, reclaiming vitality, and aligning with authentic purpose.
Contact us
Anxiety EMDR Therapy
Phone/Fax: (619) 819-6841
Email: contact@authenticityassociates.com
Our office is located in Carlsbad, CA 92009
We also do nationwide sessions via Skype
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