How EMDR Helps with Anxiety: A Gentle, Brain-Based Approach to Healing
If you’ve ever been told to “just breathe” or “calm down” when you’re feeling anxious, you know how unhelpful that can be. Anxiety isn’t just in your head—it’s in your body, your nervous system, and sometimes, your past.
That’s where EMDR therapy comes in.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) was originally developed to treat trauma, but it’s incredibly effective for anxiety too—especially when anxiety feels stuck, overwhelming, or hard to explain.
Anxiety Isn’t Always Logical—But It Is Treatable
You might know that you're safe, but your body says otherwise. You feel tense, your chest tightens, your thoughts race—and you can’t seem to shut it off. That’s because anxiety often comes from unprocessed experiences that your nervous system still reacts to, even if you can’t name them.
This is where EMDR shines. It helps your brain reprocess those experiences so they no longer activate the same fear-based responses. And you don’t have to retell every detail or even know exactly why you feel anxious.
It’s not just in your head! It’s in your body.
EMDR Therapy helps your brain and body reprocess experiences that calms your nervous system.
How EMDR Works for Anxiety
In EMDR therapy, we use bilateral stimulation (like eye movements, tapping, or sound) to help your brain process emotional blocks and shift your internal response. As we work through past or present triggers, the charge of anxiety decreases.
People often describe feeling:
A greater sense of calm in their body
Less reactivity to things that used to set them off
More clarity and confidence in their daily life
A deeper understanding of where the anxiety started
EMDR Can Help with Many Types of Anxiety
Whether you’re experiencing:
Generalized anxiety
Social anxiety
Panic attacks
Health-related anxiety
Performance anxiety
Anxiety related to past trauma or stress
…EMDR can help you get to the root, not just manage the symptoms.
You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through anxiety.
If you're ready to feel more grounded, connected, and in control—EMDR might be the next step on your healing path.
📍Based in Portland, Oregon
🧠 Specializing in EMDR for women
💬 Schedule a free consultation to get started
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About Jackie Curry, LCSW
Jackie Curry is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified EMDR Therapist based in Portland, Oregon. She specializes in helping women who feel like they have to hold it all together—supporting them in releasing anxiety, processing trauma, and finding relief from overwhelm. Jackie offers both traditional EMDR therapy and EMDR therapy intensives for individuals ready to heal more deeply and efficiently.