If you’ve heard of EMDR, you’ve probably heard of it in the context of trauma and PTSD. And that makes sense — EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) was developed specifically to treat traumatic memories, and it has a strong, growing evidence base for exactly that purpose.
But EMDR is increasingly being used for a much broader range of challenges — including eating disorders and disordered eating. And the results are compelling. In this post, we want to explain what EMDR actually is, why it is particularly relevant to eating disorders, how it works in practice, and what someone considering this approach might realistically expect.
What Is EMDR? A Plain-English Explanation
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured, evidence-based form of therapy that helps people process memories and experiences that their brain has stored in an incomplete or unhelpful way.
When something happens to us — particularly something overwhelming — the brain sometimes struggles to process it fully. Instead of being stored as an ordinary memory (one that can be recalled without significant distress and that’s clearly in the past), it gets stored in a fragmented, activating way. Sensory details, emotions, beliefs, and bodily sensations associated with the experience can all remain ‘live’, so that when something in the present triggers a connection to that memory, the full emotional weight of the original experience floods back.
EMDR works by activating the brain’s natural information processing system — the same system that operates during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, when the brain consolidates and processes the events of the day. In an EMDR session, the therapist guides the client through a structured process that uses bilateral stimulation (most commonly eye movements, though tapping and audio tones are also used) while the client holds a distressing memory or belief in mind. This allows the brain to reprocess the experience, reducing its emotional charge and integrating it into the person’s broader understanding of their history.
The result is that memories which previously felt raw, vivid, and present begin to feel like the past — something that happened, rather than something that is still happening.
EMDR doesn’t erase memories or change what happened. It changes the way the memory is stored, so it no longer holds the same power over your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour.
The Connection Between Eating Disorders and Emotional Experience
To understand why EMDR can be effective for eating disorders, it helps to understand something about what eating disorders actually are — and what they aren’t.
Eating disorders are frequently misunderstood as being primarily about food, weight, or appearance. In reality, they are complex psychological conditions in which the relationship with food and the body has become intertwined with much deeper emotional experiences — experiences of shame, control, self-worth, trauma, and the management of overwhelming feelings.
Research consistently shows high rates of trauma history in people with eating disorders. This includes childhood experiences of abuse, neglect, or significant loss, as well as subtler but deeply impactful experiences: growing up in a household where your body or appetite was criticised, receiving messages that thinness was equated with worth or love, or experiencing weight-related bullying or shame at formative ages.
For many people, eating behaviours — restriction, bingeing, purging, or obsessive control of food — begin as a way of managing the emotional pain created by these experiences. The behaviour may start as a coping mechanism, a way of feeling in control when everything else feels chaotic, or a way of numbing feelings that are too overwhelming to sit with.
This is not a character weakness. It is the mind’s attempt to find relief from experiences that were too much to process.
Why EMDR? How It Addresses the Roots of Disordered Eating
Traditional approaches to eating disorder treatment often focus significantly on the behaviours: the patterns of eating, the thoughts about food and weight, the rituals and rules that have developed. These approaches are valuable and important — but for many people they address the manifestation of the problem rather than the underlying experience driving it.
EMDR goes deeper. By targeting the specific memories, experiences, and beliefs that gave rise to the eating disorder, EMDR can reduce the emotional intensity that the disorder has been managing — not through willpower or insight alone, but through genuine neurological reprocessing.
In practical terms, EMDR for eating disorders often addresses:
- Memories of weight-related criticism, shame, or bullying — whether from family members, peers, or cultural messaging
- Experiences of abuse, neglect, or trauma that have been linked to the development of disordered eating patterns
- Core negative beliefs about self-worth, the body, or lovability that underlie the eating disorder (‘I am only acceptable if I am thin’, ‘My body is disgusting’, ‘I am out of control’)
- Anxiety and emotional dysregulation that eating behaviours have been managing — when the underlying anxiety is addressed, the need for the behaviour as a coping mechanism reduces
- Specific triggering events — moments when the eating disorder intensified, or when the relationship with food first became complicated
Many people describe a shift after EMDR for eating disorders that they hadn’t experienced through other forms of therapy: the emotional pull toward the eating disorder behaviour diminishes, because the experience that was fuelling it has been processed rather than simply managed.
What EMDR for Eating Disorders Actually Looks Like
EMDR is not a standalone treatment for eating disorders — it is most effective when integrated into a broader therapeutic approach that also addresses the practical, cognitive, and relational aspects of recovery. At The Counseling Place, our therapists work collaboratively with clients to develop a treatment approach tailored to their individual history and needs.
A course of EMDR for eating disorders typically unfolds in several phases:
Phase 1: History and treatment planning
The therapist works with the client to develop a thorough understanding of their history: how the eating disorder developed, what events or experiences may have contributed to it, what beliefs about the self and body are most central, and what the eating disorder has been doing for the person functionally. This phase is not rushed — a solid foundation of trust and understanding is essential before processing work begins.
Phase 2: Preparation and stabilisation
Before any trauma processing begins, the therapist ensures the client has a stable enough internal environment to do the work. This includes developing emotional regulation skills, building internal resources, and establishing a clear understanding of what EMDR involves and how the client can signal if they need to pause or slow down. Many clients find this phase valuable in itself.
Phase 3: Processing
The client identifies a specific memory, image, or belief to target — something that connects to the eating disorder and carries significant emotional charge. The therapist guides the client through bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements following the therapist’s hand) while the client holds the target in mind. The processing unfolds naturally, with the therapist checking in regularly. Clients often describe the experience as watching something from a distance — it feels less intense than they expected, and the emotional charge reduces over the course of the session.
Phase 4: Integration
As memories are processed, new beliefs about the self begin to emerge and strengthen. Clients often report that the situations, memories, or thoughts that previously triggered eating disorder behaviours feel different — less urgent, less overwhelming, less connected to the present moment.
Is EMDR Right for Your Situation?
EMDR for eating disorders may be particularly relevant if:
- Your relationship with food feels deeply emotionally charged — beyond hunger, preference, or even habit
- You have experienced trauma, abuse, or significant distressing events that you believe may be connected to your eating disorder
- You have a strong inner critic or deeply held negative beliefs about your body or self-worth that feel resistant to change
- You have made progress in understanding your eating disorder intellectually but find the emotional and behavioural patterns remain difficult to shift
- You use food, eating, or restriction to manage anxiety, numb difficult feelings, or create a sense of control
EMDR is not appropriate in all situations and is always introduced carefully, at a pace that feels manageable. The first step is always a conversation with a therapist to understand your specific history and discuss whether EMDR is a good fit.
Recovery from an eating disorder is possible — even when it has been present for many years. EMDR is not a magic solution, but for many people it addresses something that other approaches haven’t quite reached. If you’ve been in treatment before and found that the emotional pull toward the disorder remains strong, EMDR may be worth exploring.
At The Counseling Place, our founder Sarah James is a Certified EMDR Therapist with nearly 20 years of clinical experience. We offer eating disorder therapy in Lone Tree and Greenwood Village, Colorado, and via telehealth for Colorado residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to have a formal eating disorder diagnosis to benefit from EMDR?
No. EMDR can be helpful for anyone whose relationship with food, eating, or their body is causing them significant distress — whether or not they meet the clinical criteria for a specific eating disorder. If disordered eating patterns are affecting your daily life, your mental health, or your physical wellbeing, that is enough reason to explore whether EMDR might help.
Is EMDR safe if I have a history of trauma?
EMDR was specifically designed to treat trauma, so a trauma history is not a contraindication — in fact, it is often exactly the reason EMDR is recommended. That said, EMDR is always introduced carefully and gradually, with a significant preparation phase to ensure you have the internal resources to do the processing work safely. Your therapist will never move faster than you can manage.
What does a typical EMDR session feel like?
Many people are surprised by how manageable EMDR sessions feel. You are always in control — you can stop at any time. Most people describe the experience as less intense than they expected: the distress associated with the target memory reduces over the course of the session, rather than escalating. Some people feel emotional, tired, or reflective afterwards, which is normal as the brain continues processing.
Can EMDR be used alongside other eating disorder treatment?
Yes, and in many cases this is the most effective approach. EMDR works well alongside nutritional counseling, medical monitoring, and other forms of therapy. At The Counseling Place, we take an integrated approach and can coordinate with other members of your care team where this is helpful.
How many EMDR sessions will I need for eating disorder treatment?
This depends on the complexity of your history and the specific experiences being targeted. Some people experience significant shifts after a handful of processing sessions. Others with more complex trauma histories benefit from a longer course of treatment. Your therapist will discuss this with you openly as the work progresses, and the plan will be updated as you go.
Explore whether EMDR is right for you
Contact The Counseling Place to speak with an eating disorder specialist. In-person in Lone Tree & Greenwood Village, or via telehealth.
📞 (303) 241-0421 | ✉️ Sarah@counselinglonetree.com | 🌐 counselinglonetree.com/contact