EMDR is a therapeutic technique that’s been getting a lot of attention lately, especially for treating trauma and PTSD. People often share incredible stories of how EMDR helped them work through painful memories and experience significant relief.

And honestly, it’s no surprise. EMDR can be an incredibly powerful tool. But like anything in therapy, it’s not a universal fix. While it works wonders for some people and certain issues, it’s not the right fit for everyone, and it doesn’t necessarily address every mental health concern out there. So, let’s talk about some reasons why EMDR might not be the best option for everyone and why alternative approaches could sometimes make more sense.

1. Not Every Issue is Trauma-Based

Firstly, EMDR is designed primarily for processing traumatic memories. If you’ve gone through a traumatic experience—a car accident, a natural disaster, assault—EMDR can be an amazing way to reprocess those memories and take away some of the pain associated with them.

But not all mental health struggles are rooted in trauma. If someone is seeking help for something like relationship problems, long-term anxiety that isn’t connected to specific events, or personality issues, EMDR might not be the best approach. These types of challenges usually call for therapies that focus more on thoughts and behaviours—like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)—which are designed to help people unpack and shift how they think, act, and respond to life’s difficulties.

For instance, if someone is dealing with a pattern of toxic relationships, they might need therapy that focuses on understanding attachment styles or communication patterns. EMDR, which focuses specifically on reprocessing trauma, may not help them with the relational insight they need.

2. EMDR Can Be Intense—You Need to Be Ready for It

EMDR can stir up a lot of emotions. In a session, you’re asked to bring up painful memories, and the process can feel emotionally intense, especially early on. If a client isn’t feeling stable in their day-to-day life, this process might feel like too much.

Some people need to build emotional coping skills before jumping into EMDR. Stabilization techniques—like learning how to ground yourself when you’re overwhelmed or finding ways to calm your emotions—are often essential before tackling trauma head-on. If someone doesn’t have those skills in place, EMDR can sometimes feel overwhelming rather than helpful.

Imagine if someone is still in a chaotic situation or dealing with constant crises in their life. Asking them to dive into their most painful memories while they’re just trying to survive day-to-day might be counterproductive. It’s often better to focus on building up stability and coping mechanisms first.

3. Some People Just Aren’t Comfortable with the Method

Let’s be real—EMDR can seem a little strange at first. You’re following someone’s fingers with your eyes, tapping on your hands or legs, or listening to sounds that alternate from one side of your headphones to the other. While there’s science behind why these techniques work, not everyone is going to feel comfortable with them.

For some people, these methods just don’t sit right. They might feel awkward, disconnected from the process, or just uneasy about trying something that feels unfamiliar. And that’s ok. Therapy is personal, and it needs to feel right for you. If someone is uncomfortable or skeptical, they might not engage fully, and that can limit how effective the therapy is.

In cases like this, traditional talk therapy, where clients can process their emotions and thoughts more verbally, might feel more approachable. It’s all about finding the method that resonates with the individual.

4. Not Enough Cognitive Involvement for Some People

One of the unique things about EMDR is that it works with traumatic memories without requiring you to analyze or think too deeply about them. You reprocess memories without needing to focus on the “why” behind them. For many people, this is a huge relief. But for others, it’s frustrating.

Some clients prefer therapies where they can engage intellectually with their thoughts and behaviors. They want to talk through their experiences, understand why they think or feel the way they do, and get deep into their mental patterns. For these people, therapy is as much about gaining insight as it is about healing.

In EMDR, you don’t do as much cognitive exploration. So, if someone thrives on understanding and analyzing themselves, EMDR might feel like it’s missing something. Approaches like CBT, where you actively work on identifying and changing thought patterns, may be a better fit for people who want that cognitive involvement.

5. Complex Trauma May Require a Different Approach

While EMDR is great for many trauma survivors, it’s not always enough for those dealing with complex trauma. Complex trauma often comes from prolonged or repeated experiences, such as childhood abuse, neglect, or chronic exposure to distressing events. It can affect someone’s whole sense of self and their ability to trust others or feel safe.

For individuals with complex trauma, healing often requires more than just memory reprocessing. They may need a long-term, integrative approach that includes therapies designed to help with attachment, identity, and relational difficulties. While EMDR can be part of that journey, it might not be enough on its own.

In these cases, other therapies—like attachment-based therapy or somatic experiencing, which focuses on how trauma is stored in the body—might be necessary to fully address the layers of their trauma.

6. Other Mental Health Conditions Might Get in the Way

Another reason EMDR might not always be the best fit is if someone is dealing with co-occurring conditions, like substance use disorders, severe dissociation, or psychosis. These issues can make it difficult to stay grounded during EMDR sessions.

For example, if someone is actively using substances to cope with their emotions, it can be hard to engage with the process fully. Similarly, people who dissociate easily or are experiencing psychosis might struggle to stay present, which can interfere with the effectiveness of the therapy.

In these cases, clients usually need to address the other mental health conditions first, with the help of treatments specifically tailored to those issues. Once things are more stable, EMDR can become a useful tool down the road.

7. The Therapist’s Training Matters

EMDR is not a simple technique that every therapist can just pick up after reading a book or attending a weekend workshop. It requires specialized training and experience to be done well. Unfortunately, not every therapist who offers EMDR has the right level of expertise.

A poorly executed EMDR session can be not only ineffective but also counterproductive. It’s essential for clients to make sure they’re working with someone who is certified and has substantial experience with EMDR. It’s completely reasonable to ask a therapist about their training and how long they’ve been practicing EMDR before committing to it.

At the end of the day, even the best therapeutic method needs to be delivered by a skilled and experienced therapist to work effectively.

8. Sometimes It Just Doesn’t Work for Everyone

Here’s the truth—EMDR doesn’t work for everyone. Even when it’s done right, with the best-trained therapist, some people just don’t respond to it. And that’s okay. Therapy is deeply personal, and different approaches work for different people. If someone doesn’t experience relief after a few EMDR sessions, it might be time to try something else.

There’s no one-size-fits-all in therapy, and sometimes it’s about finding the method that works best for you. What matters most is that you’re on a path toward healing, no matter which method you take.

Final Thoughts

EMDR can be a powerful tool for healing trauma, but it’s not the answer to everything. Therapy is as unique as the individuals who seek it, and what works for one person might not work for another. The key is to find the approach that feels right for you and addresses your specific needs.

If you’re considering EMDR, talk to a qualified therapist about whether it’s a good fit for your situation. And remember, it’s okay if it’s not. There are plenty of other therapeutic approaches out there that might be better suited to your journey. What’s most important is finding the right path to help you heal and move forward.