Children possess an extraordinary ability to heal – both physically and emotionally. Just like a scraped knee instinctively mends, a child’s mind is designed to process and recover from difficult experiences. Yet, there are times when emotional wounds fail to heal properly, leaving them raw and painful instead of turning into a scar. That’s where Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) steps in – a therapy that can help children process emotional wounds and emerge stronger and more resilient.

The Body's Natural Healing Process

When a child gets a cut, the body springs into action: blood carries nutrients to the wound, a scab forms to protect it, and healing follows. What’s left is a scar— a reminder of the injury, but no longer painful.

Emotional healing works in much the same way. The brain is wired to process and heal emotional pain, but sometimes, the trauma is too overwhelming. Instead of being properly processed, the painful experience remains "stuck," much like an open wound that doesn’t close.

When this happens, it can manifest in various ways, often unrelated to the original trauma:

  • Anxiety or constant worries

  • Trouble sleeping or nightmares

  • Behavioral challenges or emotional outbursts

  • Difficulty with transitions or separations

  • Avoidance of certain people, places, or activities

EMDR helps the brain close these emotional wounds, allowing children to process their experiences fully and move forward without carrying the emotional burden. Early intervention with EMDR can create profound and lasting changes in a child’s emotional health, as children have fewer emotional layers to process compared to adults.

How EMDR Helps Emotional Wounds Heal

Just like some physical wounds need extra care, emotional wounds also require specialized attention to heal fully. EMDR offers that support through bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, gentle taps, or alternating sounds. This process helps the brain reprocess distressing memories in a safe, structured environment.

It’s important to understand that EMDR doesn’t erase painful memories, but it changes how those memories are stored. Over time, memories that once triggered distress can become neutral or even empowering. Children often find that things they once feared or felt overwhelmed by no longer carry the same weight.

A key aspect of EMDR is helping children build internal resources— skills and strategies for self-soothing, building confidence, and fostering a sense of safety. These coping mechanisms become deeply embedded, much like healthy tissue replacing damaged skin during the healing process.

The Crucial Role of Family in the Healing Journey

Emotional healing is never a solitary experience. Just as you’re there to comfort your child when they get hurt physically, your involvement in their emotional healing is equally important. When caregivers are part of the EMDR process, they provide the stability and support that children need to feel safe throughout their healing journey.

A collaborative approach not only strengthens the parent-child bond but also creates an emotionally nurturing environment where children feel empowered to process and heal. This support reinforces the resilience and emotional strength that children can carry with them long after the therapy ends.

A Path to Lasting Emotional Well-Being

There’s nothing more rewarding than watching a child move from emotional pain to emotional strength. While EMDR doesn’t erase the past, it helps emotional wounds heal properly, transforming them into scars that are acknowledged but no longer painful.

If your child is carrying the weight of unprocessed emotions, EMDR offers a compassionate, proven method for releasing that burden. By guiding children through the healing process, EMDR empowers them to grow, thrive, and move forward with emotional resilience and confidence.

As a psychologist working with children, I’ve seen firsthand how EMDR can create lasting emotional transformation in children. It’s a therapy that helps them leave behind emotional distress and embrace their true potential. If you're interested in learning more about how EMDR can help your child, I’d be happy to provide more information or schedule a free 15-minute consultation. Find out if EMDR is the right intervention for your child.

Written by Amy Visser, MC  PSYCHOLOGIST