One of the most common questions people have when considering Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is:

“Will this make me worse?”

It’s an understandable concern. A quick internet search can turn up alarming stories on forums and social media — accounts of heightened symptoms, distressing dreams, or emotional upheaval during or after sessions. While these experiences are valid, they can also give a skewed impression of the overall risk.

Here’s why: people who post in these spaces are often those who’ve had difficult experiences. Those who tolerate EMDR well — which is the majority — are less likely to share their stories online. This means online discussions can overrepresent the negative.

What the Research Says

In clinical trials, EMDR is generally exceptionally safe. Some studies have even found higher rates of adverse events in control or placebo groups than in EMDR groups. When side effects are reported, they tend to be mild and temporary — things like brief emotional activation, vivid dreams, or temporary increases in symptoms before they improve.

In direct comparisons with other trauma-focused therapies, EMDR often shows lower dropout rates, suggesting it is at least as well tolerated — and in many cases better tolerated — than alternative treatments.

My Clinical Perspective

In years of practice, I have not seen a client experience long-term worsening from EMDR. That doesn’t mean EMDR is the perfect fit for everyone — careful screening and preparation are essential. But with appropriate case selection, pacing, and adherence to the EMDR protocol, the risk of harm is low.

Why Temporary Discomfort Can Be Part of the Process

Addressing trauma is inherently uncomfortable. You are revisiting experiences your mind has worked hard to avoid. The difference with EMDR is that you’re doing so in a structured, supportive way, with tools that help your brain reprocess and desensitize those memories. In essence, you’re not “adding” distress — you’re reorganizing it, so it no longer has the same emotional power.

Bottom line: While no therapy is without risk, the best available evidence — and years of clinical practice — indicate that EMDR is a safe and effective intervention for most people when delivered correctly. Temporary increases in distress can happen, but they are part of a process that aims for long-term relief, not harm.