EMDR Therapy for Older Adults

Creator: Wendy Wisner
Published: 2026-07-14T15:46:11.058Z
Keywords: Insights

July 14, 2026

Key takeaways:

EMDR is an evidenced-based therapy that can help with trauma or emotionally charged events or thoughts.
Older adults may find EMDR therapy helpful to work through old memories or traumas that have come to the surface or to manage current stressors, such as grief and loss, isolation, depression, or anxiety.
EMDR therapy is covered by Medicare Part B, and can be done virtually, in the comfort and privacy of your home.

EMDR therapy is a type of trauma-focused therapy that can help older adults manage symptoms of trauma or PTSD. It can also help you process difficult memories, deal with grief and loss, and manage anxiety, depression, addiction, and other conditions.

Older age can be a time when new mental health challenges appear, or when old challenges rise to the surface. The good news is that it’s never too late to heal, and EMDR therapy is a gentle, effective, and accessible option for seniors who are looking to improve their quality of life, manage mental health struggles, and feel better.

This guide covers common questions seniors and their loved ones have when considering EMDR therapy, including: how does EMDR work, what is EMDR therapy like, and what is EMDR therapy good for?

What EMDR therapy is, in plain English

EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a type of therapy that uses side-to-side eye movements to help process traumas, difficult memories, or other emotionally charged thoughts or feelings.

EMDR is an evidenced-based, well researched method for healing trauma backed by many major medical organizations, including the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the American Psychiatric Association.

While talking about how you feel is one component of EMDR therapy, it’s different from talk therapy, because the focus is on bilateral eye movements that change the way your brain processes and stores certain memories.

Bilateral movements

Bilateral eye movements are any type of back-and-forth or repetitive movements. During EMDR therapy, your and your therapist will identify a memory or distressing thought and then use bilateral movements to help process the memory.

The most common bilateral movement in EMDR therapy is moving the eyes back and forth, but other bilateral movements that can be used include alternate side tapping, tactile stimulation, and auditory tones.

Why does EMDR work?

What happens is that, through bilateral movements, your brain is able to process and release the memory—or “unstick it”—from your brain. In EMDR, you don’t lose the memories entirely, but they don’t have the same traumatic hold on you and don’t elicit the same emotionally charged reaction anymore.

While EMDR is thought of as a therapy for older adults who have PTSD or who have experienced traumatic events, it can be used for many different mental health conditions, including grief, loss, substance abuse, sleep issues, depression, anxiety, and more.

Why EMDR can be especially relevant later in life

Everyone experiences getting older differently, but for some people, the challenges that come with aging can cause distressing old memories to rise to the surface. Additionally, some of the circumstances common to aging—such as losing friends and family members, retiring, loneliness and isolation, and family conflicts—can cause new feelings of intense emotional distress.

EMDR can address both old traumas or “stuck” emotions, as well as new mental health difficulties that you may face in later life. The research is clear that EMDR can effectively manage PTSD, trauma, and many other mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.

There’s also research showing the benefits of EMDR specifically for seniors, including some promising case studies and smaller studies showing benefits for older adults with a history of trauma as well as cognitive impairment and dementia.

It’s never “too late” to work through old traumas or other types of long-standing emotional distress. Moreover, help is out there for people who want support for more recent traumas or distress. There’s no specific timetable in terms of when EMDR can be used or when the best time to start is.

Start when you are ready, and when you are ready to feel better; that’s the only criteria.

What EMDR therapy is like in a session

Even if you have a basic understanding of what EMDR therapy is and what it’s used for, what actually happens in an EMDR session can be mystifying. No worries. We’re here to clear that up, and give you a clearer sense of what to expect with EMDR therapy.

Here’s what EMDR therapy is like:

You’ll begin by discussing what you want to work on in therapy—i.e., what symptoms, memories, or feelings you want relief from
Then, you and your therapist will focus on a specific event, memory, or feeling. You will explore images, emotions, and somatic feelings (feelings in your body) related to that memory or feeling.
While you are focusing on the memory or feeling, your therapist will begin engaging you in side-to-side movements, such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds.
You will consider and notice what comes to mind after each bilateral movement set. These sets will be repeated until the difficult feelings and memories start to become less distressing or disturbing.

How long does EMDR last?

Most EMDR sessions last between an hour and 90 minutes. You have control of how long you want to engage in EMDR exercises, and you can stop at any time if the exercises are too difficult for you. It usually takes a few sessions for a memory or emotion to get resolved.

EMDR considerations for older populations

Sometimes EMDR needs to be adapted to the needs of older adults. This may include ensuring that seating is comfortable for your body, using tapping sounds or tones if eye movements aren’t feasible, and adapting in other ways to accommodate mobility issues, fatigue, hearing problems, or any other concerns.

You can use EMDR on its own or as part of your overall talk therapy plan. Many people prefer EMDR therapy to talk therapy because it involves less hashing over old memories in detail; others prefer to combine the two types of therapy.

When EMDR is most helpful

EMDR therapy was originally developed as a treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But since then, it’s been expanded as a treatment for many different mental health conditions and symptoms.

EMDR is especially helpful for when you have difficult or traumatic memories that seem to haunt you or that cause flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts. But EMDR can also be used for any emotional, cognitive, or somatic (body) response that is intense and hard to shake off.

You don’t have to have traumas or PTSD for EMDR to be effective. EMDR can treat:

Anxiety
Panic attacks
Phobias
Depression
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Addiction
Chronic pain
Grief and loss
Sleep issues
Personality disorders
Recovery from sexual assault, violence, or abuse
Recovery from experiences like difficult hospitalization
Recovery from wartime traumas
Recovery from childhood trauma

While EMDR can be helpful for many different people, it’s not for everyone. You need to be emotionally stable and able to take direction from your therapist in order to complete the EMDR exercises. If you’re in a mental health crisis or a medical crisis, you’ll need to be stabilized before doing EMDR therapy. People with significant cognitive impairment might need modifications or a different approach to therapy.

It can also be helpful to be aware that sometimes EMDR can bring up strong emotions, body sensations, or can be physically and emotionally taxing. That’s why working with a trained therapist who can guide you through the process is so essential.

Can EMDR be done virtually?

EMDR can be done remotely, as long as you are using a therapist trained in EMDR techniques. Research has found that online EMDR is safe and effective. Trained therapists can use online visual cues, like audio, tapping, and other bilateral simulation methods.

There are additional benefits of online EMDR therapy for seniors, including being able to engage in sessions from the privacy of your own home, and having access to therapy even if you have mobility or transportation issues.

It’s crucial not to confuse virtual or online EMDR therapy with watching an EMDR YouTube video or other media source online. EMDR therapy is only effective and safe if it’s performed by a licensed therapist who is trained in EMDR therapy.

How to decide whether EMDR is worth exploring

Even if EMDR sounds promising, it’s normal to be unsure if it’ll be the right fit for you.

You can start by doing a self-check. EMDR is best for people with difficult memories they can’t let go of, a history of trauma, or any mental health issue that causes strong emotional reactions, constant thoughts, or bodily reactions.

So, you can start by asking yourself: ““Is there a memory, loss, fear, or experience that still changes how I sleep, relate, trust, grieve, or feel in my body?” If the answer to any of this is yes, EMDR is something to begin exploring.

The first thing to do is find a therapist who is trained in EMDR therapy and who you feel comfortable with. Sometimes it can be a few sessions to see if the therapist or the therapy type is a good fit for you.

Remember that you will dictate the pacing of EMDR therapy, and you can also decide what you want to work on in therapy. Most people find that EMDR is less emotionally challenging than other types of trauma therapy because there is less discussion of the trauma or difficult emotions. But everyone is different, and it’s best to go with your gut and share any concerns you have with your therapist as you go along.

The bottom line is that if you are dealing with trauma or highly charged emotions, EMDR is a powerful option for healing, and you deserve the chance to feel more like yourself again.

How Sailor Health makes EMDR easier to access

When old memories resurface or the accumulating losses of later life begin to feel heavy, processing those emotions doesn't have to mean reliving every detail of the past. EMDR therapy offers a practical, gentle way to unstick those stressful thoughts so you can feel more present in your daily life.

Sailor Health removes common barriers to professional support by bringing specialized mental healthcare directly to you. Therapy sessions are conducted from the comfort and privacy of your home via video or phone call (including land lines). This means you can explore treatments like EMDR without the stress of driving, waiting rooms, or managing transportation and mobility challenges.

Our therapists are experienced older adults themselves, meaning they deeply understand how trauma, grief, and life transitions uniquely impact seniors. We prioritize making care accessible and affordable, and because we work with Medicare to cover up to 100% of the cost, most of our patients have a $0 copay.

Getting started is simple: we’ll ask a few questions, and match you with a therapist who aligns with your specific needs. Many patients are able to schedule their first session within 24 hours of signing up. If you’re ready to explore how EMDR or another type of therapy can help, getting the right support may be easier than you think. Reach out when you're ready, and we’ll help you take the first step.

EMDR for seniors FAQ

What does EMDR stand for?

EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy.

Is EMDR therapy only for PTSD?

No, EMDR can also be used to treat grief and loss, depression, panic attacks, sleep issues, addiction, and many other conditions.

How does EMDR work in the brain?

EMDR changes the way memories and emotions are stored in your brain, and works to “unstick” them so that the memory can be processed.

What does bilateral stimulation mean?

Bilateral stimulation means back-and-forth, repetitive movements like side-to-side eye movements or alternative tapping movements.

Do you have to talk about every detail of the trauma in EMDR?

No, you can share just a few thoughts, emotions, or images as part of your EMDR therapy sessions.

Can EMDR help with grief after losing a spouse?

Yes, processing grief and loss, including the loss of a spouse, is one of the main uses for EMDR therapy.

Can EMDR make anxiety or depression worse at first?

Sometimes EMDR can make anxiety or depression worse at first, but it varies from one person to another. You’ll work with your therapist to manage any difficult feelings that might come up.

How many sessions of EMDR are needed?

It can take several sessions to work through a memory or emotion in EMDR therapy. Often people engage in EMDR therapy for several months, working through various different memories or emotions.

Can EMDR therapy be done online with an older adult?

Yes, EMDR therapy can be done online, with your therapist leading you through EMDR exercises virtually.

Does Medicare cover EMDR therapy or trauma-focused therapy?

Yes, Medicare Part B covers EMDR therapy, as long as you are using a Medicare covered provider and your provider provides evidence that the therapy is medically necessary.