If you’ve been through a difficult childhood or an abusive relationship, you probably don’t consider your trauma as having a single event. You might even wonder whether trauma therapies will work for your situation, since it’s hard to pinpoint where exactly your trauma comes from. Many people think EMDR only works for single traumatic incidents, but this powerful therapy can be remarkably effective for complex trauma too. Here’s what you need to know about how EMDR addresses long-term, ongoing trauma.

Trauma can happen to anyone. A car accident, the sudden loss of a loved one, or a single frightening event can leave lasting impacts that affect how we think, feel, and move through the world. But there’s another type of trauma that works differently: it develops from repeated exposure to harmful experiences over time. This is called complex trauma, and understanding its unique nature is crucial for recognizing its effects and finding the right path to healing.

Trauma leaves a deep imprint on the mind and body, especially for those who’ve gone through complex trauma. Navigating the path to healing can feel overwhelming, but trauma-focused therapeutic approaches like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can make a lifelong difference.