When EMDR Therapy Doesn’t Work—At First: Insights from a Burnaby Psychologist
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is one of the most effective treatments for trauma and PTSD. When used appropriately, it can bring profound healing, often more efficiently than traditional talk therapy. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful EMDR can be—many of my clients in Burnaby and across British Columbia experience deep, lasting change through this work.
However, if you’ve tried EMDR therapy with another clinician and it didn’t seem to help, you’re not alone. As a psychologist in Burnaby who specializes in EMDR therapy and trauma-informed care, I often speak with people who feel discouraged after an earlier experience. If that sounds familiar, I want to reassure you: EMDR can work—and often does—when key factors are in place. The real question isn’t if EMDR works, but whether the therapy was delivered under the right conditions for you.
In this post, we’ll look at the most common reasons why EMDR therapy may not have worked in a previous experience—and what can make the difference in getting results.
1. The Client’s Readiness and Willingness to Engage
EMDR therapy is powerful—but it requires a certain level of emotional readiness. If someone isn’t yet able to safely access or engage with painful memories, the process can feel frustrating or even become stalled.
Some factors that can affect readiness:
Avoidance or emotional numbing
A history of dissociation or emotional shutdown
Lack of trust or safety with the therapist
Working with a trauma-informed psychologist who understands nervous system regulation can make all the difference. When readiness is supported, EMDR becomes far more effective.
2. Complex or Developmental Trauma
While EMDR is often successful with single-incident trauma (e.g., a car accident or assault), developmental trauma—rooted in childhood neglect, emotional abuse, or attachment wounds—can be more layered.
In these cases, EMDR may need to be combined with other approaches that support and enhance the healing process.
Psychoeducation helps clients understand how trauma affects the brain and body, so they feel more informed and empowered during therapy.
Narrative therapy supports clients in reshaping the story they tell about their lives, helping them reclaim their voice beyond the trauma.
Solution-focused therapy keeps the process oriented toward strengths and future goals, offering clarity and momentum alongside deeper trauma work.
More time may also be needed to build emotional regulation and a felt sense of internal safety.
As a psychologist in Burnaby with advanced training in trauma therapy, I integrate EMDR with complementary modalities to support clients in moving at a pace that feels safe, grounded, and sustainable.
3. Missing or Rushed Preparation Phase
Preparation is not optional—it’s foundational. When previous EMDR therapy has skipped or rushed through the preparation phase, clients often feel emotionally flooded or stuck.
In the preparation phase, we focus on:
Grounding techniques
Emotional regulation
Building internal resources and coping strategies
A well-paced, resourced preparation phase lays the groundwork for successful trauma reprocessing in later stages.
4. Memory Fragmentation or Dissociation
If traumatic memories are incomplete, confusing, or tied to dissociative responses, EMDR may not gain traction until those blocks are addressed.
Challenges that can arise:
Memory gaps or unclear images
Emotional detachment or “numbing out”
Difficulty accessing bodily sensations or emotions
An experienced trauma therapist can help clients slowly reconnect to fragmented experiences, using EMDR in a way that honors their nervous system’s capacity.
5. Therapist’s Experience with EMDR Therapy
Not all EMDR therapists are the same. While the EMDR protocol is structured and evidence-based, using it effectively requires clinical expertise, a deep understanding of trauma responses, and the ability to adapt to each client’s unique needs.
An inexperienced or rigid therapist might:
Miss signs of emotional overwhelm
Push too fast through sensitive material
Struggle to adapt the protocol to your specific needs
Finding an EMDR-trained psychologist in Burnaby who has experience with trauma and co-occurring challenges can make a significant difference. These clinicians are better equipped to create a safe, trusting environment and to recognize when the pace or approach needs to be adjusted. Working with a licensed psychologist who specializes in EMDR therapy increases the likelihood of a positive, transformative healing experience.
6. Co-Occurring Mental Health Concerns
Conditions like anxiety, depression, substance use, or burnout can interfere with EMDR therapy when not also being addressed. If your nervous system is already under stress, trauma processing may feel too destabilizing.
In these cases:
Additional support or parallel treatment may be needed
Stabilization strategies should come before trauma reprocessing
If you’re experiencing multiple concerns, I can help you explore whether EMDR is appropriate now or whether other therapeutic steps should come first.
7. Unrealistic Expectations About EMDR
It’s natural to hope for quick results—but trauma healing takes time. If EMDR didn’t seem to “work” after a few sessions, that doesn’t mean it isn’t effective. It may mean your system needed more preparation or your treatment goals weren’t clearly defined.
Working with a psychologist can help clarify:
What to expect from EMDR
How long it might take to see meaningful change
What signs of progress to look for along the way
8. A Poor Fit Between Client and Therapist
EMDR is not just about following a protocol—it’s about how the therapist applies it to your unique nervous system, history, and goals. If the therapeutic relationship wasn’t a good fit or the therapist lacked experience in trauma complexity, EMDR may have missed the mark. That doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from EMDR—it means you may need a different guide.
A good client-therapist fit creates:
Safety for vulnerability
The ability to co-regulate through difficult material
A sense of being understood and respected
If EMDR hasn’t worked, it’s worth asking: Did I feel emotionally safe with my therapist? If not, it may be time to explore if more time was necessary to build that safety or consider looking for a better fit.
Final Thoughts: EMDR Can Still Help—With the Right Support
If EMDR hasn’t worked for you, it’s not a reflection of your strength or your capacity to heal. It simply means your nervous system may need something different—or a therapist who can adjust the process to your unique needs. As a psychologist in Burnaby who specializes in EMDR and trauma therapy, I’ve seen how powerful this method can be when delivered in the right context.
I know EMDR works—not just in theory, but in practice—when clients are supported with care, patience, and attunement. I now work exclusively with EMDR because I found that clients made more meaningful and lasting progress than they did with traditional talk therapy alone.
If you're ready to revisit EMDR therapy with a new perspective and an experienced psychologist, I’d be happy to meet you where you’re at.
Contact me today to get started or learn more about my approach to EMDR Therapy. Or visit the BCPA to Find a Psychologist in BC.
*This blog post was developed with the assistance of AI, which helped organize and enhance the content. The final content has been reviewed and refined to ensure it aligns with our values and to ensure it provides valuable insights to our readers.
Dr. Rosemary Rukavina is a licensed psychologist based in Burnaby, BC, specializing in EMDR and Couples therapy. She helps individuals work through trauma, anxiety, burnout, relationship issues, and other mental health concerns using evidence-based techniques. Dr. Rukavina offers a compassionate and grounded approach to support clients on their journey toward healing and growth. Learn more.
