Combining EMDR and IFS for Faster, Deeper Trauma Healing
Traumatic events can shatter a person's sense of safety and well-being, leaving scars that can last a lifetime if left unaddressed.
Thankfully, powerful therapies have emerged that are offering new hope for deep and lasting recovery from trauma. Two of the most promising methods are Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS). While each of these approaches has demonstrated remarkable results on its own, forward-thinking therapists are discovering that combining them can help clients progress in treatment even more rapidly and thoroughly.
In this article, we'll explore how EMDR and IFS work, both separately and in combination, to alleviate the pain of past trauma and help people reclaim a sense of joy, confidence and peace. Whether you're a trauma survivor yourself or a supportive friend or family member, understanding these incredible therapeutic tools can bring renewed hope for healing.
Upcoming Event: Intro to EMDR
Get a Discounted Ticket Using the Link Below! Sale ENDS Soon…
Join us on October 11 for "Intro to EMDR: Healing Trauma," led by EMDR expert Julie Mitchell. Learn how trauma impacts the brain and how EMDR therapy can help.
🕓 Time: 3-4:30 AM PDT | Online
✨ Early Bird Tickets: $20 (Limited availability)
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is a well-researched therapy approach that helps people find freedom from the emotional fallout of traumatic experiences. When a person undergoes an intensely distressing event, the memory of the trauma can become "stuck" in the brain, continuing to cause upset long after the event itself is over. EMDR seems to stimulate the brain's natural ability to process these stuck memories, allowing recovery to occur.
The Origins and Development of EMDR
EMDR was developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro. While walking in a park, Shapiro noticed that her own distressing thoughts seemed to dissipate as her eyes spontaneously darted back and forth. Intrigued, she began experimenting with this effect and found that others reported similar relief from upsetting memories when guided to perform specific eye movements.
Shapiro went on to develop a standardized protocol for using eye movements in therapy, which she named Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Over the following decades, EMDR was refined through clinical practice and extensive research. Today, it is recognized by the World Health Organization as a first-line treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
How EMDR Works
In a typical EMDR session, the therapist guides the client to focus on a particular trauma memory while simultaneously performing left-to-right eye movements by following the therapist's moving finger or a light. This unique combination of calling the distressing memory to mind while engaging in the rapid eye movements seems to unlock the brain's innate healing capacities.
As the memory is "reprocessed" through EMDR, the client's distress level begins to drop. The troubling images, beliefs and body sensations associated with the trauma start to fade and shift. The memory doesn't disappear altogether, but it becomes far less upsetting as the brain forges new, more adaptive connections and insights. The client begins to view the trauma from a broader, more self-compassionate perspective and to develop a more positive sense of self.
The Eight Phases of EMDR Treatment
EMDR treatment typically progresses through eight distinct phases:
History-taking and treatment planning
Preparation, including learning self-soothing techniques
Assessment, identifying a specific target memory
Desensitization, processing the memory with eye movements
Installation, strengthening positive beliefs
Body scan, checking for any residual physical distress
Closure, ensuring the client feels stable at the end of the session
Re-evaluation, assessing progress at the next session
Throughout these phases, the therapist maintains a stance of curiosity and openness, supporting the client's natural healing process without attempting to control it.
Benefits of EMDR for Trauma Recovery
Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated EMDR's effectiveness in treating trauma, often in significantly fewer sessions than traditional talk therapy. EMDR can bring relief from post-traumatic stress symptoms like:
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Anxiety
Depression
It can also:
Boost self-esteem
Improve relationships
Restore a general sense of wellbeing
With EMDR, healing from trauma becomes a reality as the past loses its painful grip.
What is Internal Family Systems Therapy?
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is based on a revolutionary understanding of the human mind. At its core are two fundamental ideas: first, that our minds are naturally made up of multiple parts, and second, that some of these parts take on protective roles in response to difficult life experiences.
The Natural Multiplicity of the Mind
IFS proposes that having multiple parts or aspects to our personality is not a disorder, but a normal and healthy state of being. From birth, we all have various inner voices, emotions, and ways of responding to the world. One part of us might be playful and carefree, while another is serious and responsible. We might have a part that's outgoing and social, alongside a part that's more introverted and reflective.
These natural parts help us navigate the complex world around us. They allow us to be flexible, adapting our behavior to different situations and relationships. For example, the part of you that interacts with colleagues at work is likely different from the part that relaxes with close friends.
Protective Parts and Their Formation
While some parts are innate, others develop in response to our life experiences, particularly difficult or traumatic ones. These are what IFS calls protective parts. When we face challenging situations, especially in childhood, certain parts of us may take on strong protective roles to help us cope.
For instance, if a child experiences harsh criticism, a part might develop that constantly strives for perfection to avoid future criticism. Or if someone faces betrayal, a part might emerge that's deeply distrustful of others to prevent future hurt. These protective parts are trying to keep us safe, but their methods can sometimes cause problems as we grow older and our circumstances change.
It's crucial to understand that these protective parts, even when they cause distress, are not "bad" or enemies to be defeated. They developed with good intentions - to help us survive and cope with difficult situations. However, they may be using strategies that are no longer helpful in our current life.
The Role of the Self in IFS
Another key concept in IFS is the idea of the Self. Beyond all our various parts, IFS proposes that we all have a core Self that is calm, curious, and compassionate. This Self has the capacity to lead our internal system harmoniously, but it often gets obscured by protective parts taking over.
In IFS therapy, a major goal is to help people access this Self and develop "Self-leadership" - the ability to calmly observe and interact with all parts from this grounded, compassionate core.
The IFS Therapeutic Process
In IFS therapy sessions, individuals learn to identify their different parts and understand the roles these parts play. The therapist guides clients to access their Self and, from this calm center, to get to know their parts with curiosity and compassion.
A key aspect of IFS is helping protective parts to "unblend" or step back, allowing the Self to emerge. From this Self-led state, clients can then help parts that are stuck in outdated protective roles to relax and transform.
For parts carrying pain from past experiences (which IFS calls "exiles"), the therapy provides a way to safely access and heal these wounded aspects without becoming overwhelmed.
Benefits and Applications of IFS
As people work with their internal system through IFS, they often experience a range of benefits:
Reduced inner conflict and anxiety
Improved self-understanding and self-compassion
Better ability to handle difficult emotions
More authentic self-expression
Improved relationships as internal harmony translates to external interactions
IFS has been found effective in treating a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, and relationship problems. It's also used by many for personal growth and self-exploration, even in the absence of specific mental health concerns.
The Core Message of IFS
The fundamental message of IFS is deeply compassionate: all parts of us, even those that may seem problematic, developed in an attempt to help or protect us. By approaching our inner world with curiosity and kindness, we can help our entire internal system function more harmoniously.
This inner work often leads to profound healing and transformation, allowing individuals to live with greater peace, authenticity, and connection to themselves and others.
Combining EMDR and IFS for Comprehensive Trauma Treatment
While EMDR and IFS each have tremendous power to catalyze healing on their own, they can be even more effective when thoughtfully integrated. EMDR efficiently resolves the "stuck" traumatic memories that keep parts locked in extreme roles, while IFS ensures that all parts of the psyche feel genuinely safe and trusting enough to engage in the deep work of EMDR. Here's how EMDR and IFS can flow together in the therapy process:
1. Laying the Foundation with IFS
Before diving into EMDR processing, an IFS-trained therapist will guide the client to get to know their parts and develop a caring, trusting relationship between their core Self and the parts. The therapist may ask the client what parts are activated by the prospect of processing traumatic memories and invite any concerned parts to express their fears or reservations. Helping protective parts feel heard and building trust with them creates the inner atmosphere of safety essential for successful trauma resolution.
2. Selecting an EMDR Target Memory
Once the client's parts are on board and willing to engage in EMDR, client and therapist collaborate to select a particular distressing memory to focus on. The client identifies the worst part of the memory along with the negative beliefs it has led them to hold about themselves (e.g. "I'm powerless" or "It was my fault"). Rating their current level of distress as well as identifying emotions and body sensations connected to the memory helps the client later track their progress in processing it.
3. EMDR Reprocessing
In the key reprocessing phase, the client focuses on the target memory while simultaneously moving their eyes back and forth, following the therapist's fingers or a light bar. The therapist regularly pauses to ask what the client is noticing and supports them in following their inner process. The memory becomes less disturbing and new insights or positive beliefs emerge, such as "I did the best I could" or "I'm strong enough to handle this."
4. Checking for Blockages with IFS
If processing stalls or the client becomes very activated, the IFS-trained therapist will check to see if a protective part is putting on the brakes. Switching into an IFS approach, the therapist helps the client compassionately engage with the concerned part to discover what it's afraid might happen if processing continues, as well as what it might need to feel safe to proceed. Once the activated part feels understood and trusting, EMDR can resume. Oftentimes, after a "part check-in," processing moves forward quite rapidly as the system has been reassured from the inside out.
5. Completing Processing and Closure
When the target memory no longer feels at all disturbing and the client's mind spontaneously offers adaptive insights or positive beliefs, the therapist guides the client to perform a mental "body scan" while holding the original memory in mind. If any residual distress arises, a few more sets of eye movements usually alleviate it. An IFS-informed therapist will also check to see if any younger parts were activated by the processing and what they might need to feel comforted and reassured before ending the session.
6. Re-evaluation and Later Sessions
In the following session, client and therapist together assess how completely the previous target memory was resolved. If any parts still have concerns, a bit more processing of that memory may be beneficial before moving on to a new target. As a target memory becomes fully neutralized, the therapist guides the client to visualize handling a current or future challenge without being triggered. This installs confidence that the benefits experienced in the office will translate into real life.
The Promise of EMDR and IFS for Lasting Freedom
Combining IFS and EMDR offers a comprehensive approach to healing trauma. These therapies work by addressing the root causes of trauma, rather than relying on willpower to manage symptoms. Clients can work through painful memories, release the shame and negative beliefs that have held them back, and rebuild a healthier relationship with themselves.
IFS acknowledges that even the most challenging trauma responses developed as a way to protect the individual from emotional pain. By approaching protective parts of the psyche with respect and care, even those parts that seem overwhelmed by despair can be transformed. This helps clients foster self-compassion and understanding, realizing their mind has been working to keep them safe.
EMDR helps relieve the distress tied to specific memories that have kept parts of the mind stuck in survival mode. As these memories are processed, the client gains relief from fear and limiting beliefs, allowing space for more positive qualities like discernment, self-protection, and wisdom to emerge.
Over time, as these traumas are resolved and unburdened, the person’s inner world becomes more balanced and peaceful. Self-criticism decreases, and self-support grows. Relationships improve, and situations that once felt overwhelming become more manageable. As internal conflict lessens, there’s more room for creativity, growth, and pursuing meaningful goals.
Together, EMDR and IFS offer a path toward deep healing for those who have experienced trauma. These approaches help individuals reconnect with all parts of themselves, let go of the past, and build a solid foundation of resilience. With the right support, trauma recovery is achievable, no matter how challenging the journey may have been.
If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma, reaching out to a therapist trained in EMDR and IFS can be a powerful first step toward reclaiming well-being and peace of mind.
Want to Learn More About EMDR?
Don't miss our upcoming event, "Intro to EMDR: Healing Trauma"—perfect for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of trauma and how EMDR can offer powerful relief.
🚨 Early Bird Sale Ends Soon! 🚨
This educational session, led by Julie Mitchell, an expert in EMDR therapy, will walk you through how trauma affects the brain and how EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can help process and resolve these experiences.
Whether you're a mental health professional, healthcare provider, or a person who is curious about trauma and its treatment, this event offers a unique opportunity to learn. You'll gain practical insights into how EMDR works to reprocess traumatic memories and the science behind it.
🕓 Date & Time: October 11, 3–4:30 AM PDT
🌍 Location: Online – Attend from anywhere!
✨ Early Bird Price: $20 (limited availability)
Get your tickets before the discount ends!