EMDR for Anxiety: Break Free from Overthinking
Illustration by Hanin Abouzeid on Unsplash
Have you ever been doing the dishes and realized you’ve been replaying a conversation with your co-worker from earlier in the day? Or what about cycling through every possible bad outcome in a situation so you can feel protected from disappointment ? Maybe you’ve found yourself getting into bed, exhausted from your day, only to lay there wide awake because your mind tends to spiral the moment you find some quiet. Living with anxiety can feel like your brain is stuck on a loop. This kind of overthinking isn’t just exhausting—it can take a toll on your sleep, your focus, and your ability to feel at ease in your own life.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) offers a way to break that cycle. While EMDR was first developed to treat trauma, it’s also highly effective for addressing the root causes of anxiety. In my Denver therapy practice, I use EMDR to help clients calm racing thoughts, reduce physical symptoms, and shift the deeply held beliefs that fuel anxiety.
Whether you’re looking for EMDR therapy for anxiety in Denver or want the flexibility of EMDR therapy online, this guide will walk you through what to expect, how it works, and why it can be such a powerful tool for people who feel trapped by overthinking.
Understanding the Link Between Anxiety and Overthinking
Anxiety is more than occasional worry. It often shows up as:
Constantly anticipating worst-case scenarios
Replaying past conversations or decisions
Feeling restless, tense, or on edge
Physical symptoms like a racing heart, shallow breathing, muscle tightness, or headaches
Trouble concentrating or sleeping because your mind won’t “switch off”
At its core, anxiety often comes from unprocessed experiences and internalized beliefs. For example, if you grew up feeling under constant scrutiny or rigid expectations, your brain may have learned to stay on high alert. Over time, this hypervigilance can evolve into overthinking—your brain’s way of trying to prepare for threats, even when none are present.
This is where EMDR makes a difference. Instead of simply managing anxious thoughts on the surface, EMDR helps you process the underlying memories and beliefs that allow anxiety to thrive.
How EMDR Works for Anxiety
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements, sounds, or taps) while recalling distressing thoughts or memories. This process activates both sides of the brain, which helps the nervous system reprocess experiences in a new way.
When you’re stuck in overthinking, your brain is often holding onto information in a “raw,” unprocessed state. EMDR helps your brain move those experiences into long-term memory where they no longer trigger the same level of emotional or physical reaction.
Here’s what makes EMDR effective for anxiety:
Reducing Intrusive Thoughts
EMDR helps interrupt the cycle of repetitive, anxious thinking. Clients often notice that the thoughts which once felt overwhelming begin to quiet down or lose their intensity.Calming Physical Symptoms
Anxiety isn’t just mental—it lives in the body. By reprocessing anxiety triggers, EMDR can help the nervous system shift out of “fight or flight” mode, reducing symptoms like chest tightness, stomach tension, or racing heart.Reshaping Negative Beliefs
Many people with anxiety carry beliefs such as “I’m not safe,” “I’m not good enough,” or “I can’t handle things.” EMDR works to transform those beliefs into more balanced, supportive ones—like “I am safe now” or “I can trust myself.”
What to Expect in EMDR for Anxiety
Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if your anxiety already makes you overthink decisions. Here’s a clear overview of what the EMDR process looks like in my practice:
1. Free Consultation
The first step is scheduling a free consultation. This is a casual “meet and greet” over the phone where we talk about what’s bringing you to therapy, discuss logistics like scheduling and payment, and decide if we’re a good fit to work together. There’s no pressure—just a chance to get a feel for the process.
2. Intake and Preparation
If you choose to move forward, we’ll begin with an intake session. This is where I gather a full picture of your history, current struggles, and goals. We’ll also spend a few sessions learning grounding techniques to help you feel safe and regulated before we begin EMDR processing.
3. Identifying Targets
Together, we’ll identify the specific memories, thoughts, or situations that fuel your anxiety. These “targets” often include past experiences where anxiety first began or recurring triggers in your daily life.
4. EMDR Processing
During EMDR sessions, I’ll guide you through sets of bilateral stimulation while you bring up an image, belief, or body sensation linked to your anxiety. Your brain does the work of reprocessing, and I’m there to support and guide you. Over time, the memory or thought loses its emotional intensity, and your brain naturally shifts toward more helpful beliefs.
5. Integration
We’ll check in on how the changes are showing up in your daily life. Clients often notice that they feel calmer in situations that used to cause worry, or that their thoughts no longer spiral in the same way.
Unique Benefits of EMDR for Anxiety
Every client’s experience is different, but EMDR offers unique benefits for those who struggle with anxiety and overthinking:
Frees You From Loops: Instead of trying to think your way out of anxiety, EMDR interrupts the cycle at its root.
Addresses Mind and Body: Anxiety is both mental and physical. EMDR supports nervous system regulation, helping you feel calmer overall.
Works Quickly for Some Clients: While healing takes time, many people notice shifts in how they respond to triggers relatively early in the process.
Personalized to You: EMDR isn’t a one-size-fits-all protocol. We’ll tailor the approach to your history, needs, and goals.
Flexible Options: I offer both in-person sessions in Denver and EMDR therapy online from anywhere in Colorado, giving you the ability to choose what feels most supportive.
EMDR Therapy Online vs. In-Person in Denver
Some clients prefer the grounding presence of being in the therapy office, while others find it easier to open up from the comfort of their home. EMDR can be equally effective for both options.
In online sessions, we use secure video conferencing and adapted bilateral stimulation methods (such as visual cues or audio tones) to guide the process. In-person sessions in my Denver office may include traditional eye movements or tactile equipment for bilateral stimulation.
The important part is that you feel safe and supported in whichever setting you choose.
Is EMDR Right for You?
If you find yourself stuck in patterns of worry, avoidance, or self-doubt, EMDR may be an effective path forward. While it isn’t about erasing memories or avoiding challenges, EMDR gives your brain the chance to process past experiences in a way that frees you to respond with more clarity and calm.
You may benefit from EMDR therapy for anxiety if you:
Constantly second-guess yourself or struggle with decision-making
Feel physically overwhelmed by your worry
Have trouble breaking free from repetitive thought loops
Carry harsh self-criticism or beliefs of not being enough
Want relief that goes deeper than surface-level coping skills
Taking the First Step Toward Calm
Living with anxiety and overthinking can make it feel like you’re always “on,” never able to fully rest. But you don’t have to stay stuck in that cycle.
Through EMDR, you can quiet intrusive thoughts, ease physical tension, and build a more compassionate relationship with yourself.
If you’re ready to explore whether EMDR therapy could be the right fit for you, I invite you to schedule a free consultation. We’ll talk about your goals, answer your questions, and create a plan that supports your healing—whether you prefer in-person sessions in Denver or EMDR therapy online.
Final Thoughts
Anxiety often convinces you that you have to prepare for everything, plan for every outcome, and keep your mind spinning just to stay safe. EMDR offers a different way forward. By helping your brain reprocess the experiences that fuel anxiety, you can move toward a calmer, more grounded life.
If you’re curious about EMDR therapy for anxiety in Denver or online, reach out today to schedule your consultation. You don’t have to carry the weight of overthinking alone—healing is possible, and you deserve to feel at ease in your own mind.