What Makes An "EMDR Super-Processor"? The Variables Behind Rapid EMDR Therapy Response and Success

EMDRTrauma

Jun 8

EMDR therapy is quickly gaining traction as a primary trauma therapy treatment, and for good reason. Studies have shown that EMDR has an 85% success rate for reducing trauma symptoms.

As a team, we've collectively been providing EMDR therapy for over a decade, and with great results. We've seen our fair share of "super processors," or people who respond very quickly to EMDR therapy.

Here are the variables we've noted.

Alexis Harney, LMFT

Alexis is a licensed EMDR therapist who works with adults processing trauma, anxiety, and long-standing patterns that haven't responded to talk therapy alone. She brings patience and clinical precision to both the resourcing and reprocessing phases. She sees clients online throughout California and Florida.

EMDR Therapy Rapid Response Factors

Proper Preparation and Resourcing for Trauma Processing

We've said it before and we'll say it again: you can't over-prepare or over-resource someone befores starting EMDR reprocessing.

We know everyone is eager to jump into the reprocessing phase. But EMDR therapy has eight distinct phases, and all are important. Skipping phase two, the resourcing and preparation phase, can be catastrophic. It's also one of the most common reasons we see people not respond to EMDR or drop out because it's too intense.

High Resilience

Some people are born with high resilience, and others build it. People coming into EMDR therapy with ready resilience often respond quickly and experience full resolution. But if you don't feel you have a wealth of resilience, that's okay! Phase two (resourcing) aims to help you build more.

Time Passed Since The Trauma Occurred

If you're using EMDR therapy to process trauma, the amount of time since the trauma can make a difference. For example, someone who experienced a trauma a few weeks ago is more likely to see rapid resolution through EMDR than someone who waited a few years.

Tatevik Sarkisian, Armenian therapist specializing in EMDR and trauma therapy in California — Tatevik Sarkisian, AMFT

Tatevik works with adults and teens navigating trauma, anxiety, and burnout using EMDR and other trauma-informed approaches. She has a particular interest in the preparation phase of EMDR, helping clients build the internal resources they need before processing begins. She sees clients online throughout California.

While time can naturally heal the trauma response, it can also reinforce negative neural networks related to the event.

If the trauma has created a complex web of brain connections, it can take longer to process. But rest assured, it's totally possible to process complex trauma with EMDR.

It just takes time and steady work with a good EMDR therapist you trust.

Timeline and Timing of Sessions

You're most like to see results if you see your EMDR therapist consistently and work on your targets in every session. We recommend seeing an EMDR therapist at least weekly to start. It can be too hard to see momentum meeting less often.

You might also consider when your brain is most likely to have the time and space to make and solidify new neural connections. For example, right before a stressful work meeting is not a good time for an EMDR therapy session. But an evening or Friday afternoon session might work very well. You may even find that, given time and space to continue processing on its own after a session, you see progress you didn't even realize was happening between sessions.

Daniella Mohazab, AMFT

Daniella works with adults navigating trauma, anxiety, and the kind of pain that hasn't fully shifted with other approaches. She brings a calm, steady presence to EMDR work and pays close attention to the preparation phase, making sure clients feel genuinely resourced before processing begins. She sees clients online throughout California.

High Trust In Your EMDR Therapist

Much like how lack of rapport with your therapist is a significant detractor from EMDR success, high trust is more likely to lead to positive results. Research is clear, across all modalities, that therapy is most effective when partnership between therapist and client is strong. This can take time! So again, don't rush toward reprocessing. We know you want some relief from your trauma, but preparation in the form of developing rapport is critical to your success.

learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy

The Right Kind of Bilateral Stimulation

Sometimes the key to quick processing is simple: picking the right kind of bilateral stimulation. While EMDR is usually described as involving eye movements, it can also involve alternating tones, tapping, or vibrations. Some people respond to one type of bilateral stimulation and not another. If you're stuck, ask your EMDR therapist about trying another type of bilateral stimulation.

Age

People of all ages can and do benefit from EMDR therapy. But we've seem more super-processing in kids and teens than any other age group. This is due to the natural plasticity of young brains; people under 25 are able to make neural changes faster than those whose brains are already fully formed.

But we've seen some adults process as fast as teenagers, targeting and completing as many as three disturbing memories in a single session. It's amazing to experience as an EMDR therapist, and reinforces why we do this work.

You can read more about EMDR for teens here.

Innate Brain Processing

Some people just have brains that understand how to quickly rewire. It's not about intelligence or skill, it's just how some brains are built.

But even if you don't have innate rapid rewiring, you can still benefit tremendously from EMDR.

You Don't Need To Be A Super Processor To Benefit From EMDR Therapy

While the thought of rapidly processing your trauma is appealing, most people aren't super-processors. And that's okay! Even going at a typical or slow pace will bring you relief. We caution people not to think of EMDR as a quick fix.

It can take time. We wish everyone could be a super-processor.

But if you're like most people who process more slowly, you still deserve to get some relief from your trauma symptoms. Healing happens at the rate it happens.

Our EMDR Therapists