Navigating the Waves of Grief: How EMDR Can Help
- Jun 19
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 26
Grief can feel like being caught in the undertow — sometimes predictable, often overwhelming, and always deeply personal. At the Trauma and Grief Institute (TGI), we work with many individuals who are struggling with profound loss. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the loss of identity after trauma, grief can linger in the mind, body, and spirit.
This post explores how EMDR therapy can help people move through grief not by avoiding it, but by safely processing the unresolved pain that keeps them stuck.
Grief Is Not Linear
One of the biggest myths we encounter is that grief follows a neat set of “stages.” In reality, grief is more like waves — some small, some crashing — and they often come when we least expect them.
Many people experiencing grief struggle with:
Sudden mood swings
Flashbacks or vivid memories
Guilt or unfinished emotional business
Sleep disturbances or anxiety
Feeling numb or disconnected
These symptoms are not signs of weakness. They’re often signs of unprocessed or complicated grief — especially when loss intersects with trauma, regret, or past wounds.
Where EMDR Fits In
EMDR therapy helps clients identify the most painful, distressing aspects of a loss and reprocess them in a safe, contained way. For example, a person may be stuck on:
The moment of receiving bad news
Visual images of a hospital or funeral
Guilt about something left unsaid
A traumatic event surrounding the death
With EMDR, the client can access these memories and work through them without reliving the full intensity. Over time, the emotional charge decreases, and new insights emerge. People often report feeling “lighter,” less burdened, or more at peace with what happened.
Why EMDR Works for Grief
It Goes Beyond Words Grief often lives in the body, in images and sensations. EMDR bypasses the need for clients to explain everything with words — allowing the brain to heal in its own language.
It Reframes the Story EMDR helps shift deeply held beliefs like “It was my fault” or “I should have done more” into more adaptive truths like “I did the best I could” or “They knew I loved them.”
It Supports Integration Rather than trying to “get over” loss, EMDR helps clients integrate the grief into a meaningful life narrative. The pain may not disappear, but it becomes bearable, livable, and human.
You Deserve Support
Grief is a sacred experience — and you don’t have to walk through it alone. At TGI, we are here to help you move through loss with compassion, clarity, and care.
If you're grieving and wondering if EMDR could help, we invite you to connect with our team.
If you are a clinician, we invite you to join other professionals in exploring how EMDR can be used to support clients experiencing grief. Our specialized EMDR- GRIEF workshop blends theory with hands-on tools to enhance your practice.
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