Posted on February 2, 2025 by Jamie McWade, LMHC
Mental Health
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Have you ever had one of those moments where you relived a memory, but it was hard to describe with words? Your whole body could feel it. I remember a moment like that clear as day.
I grew up in the southern United States. Our winters were not especially wintery, and our summers were blistering hot. One day sitting in front of my house on a bench, dripping with sweat of the mid-summer heat, I smelled Christmas…. How could that be?? It was six months away and everything I saw looked like summer to me! I felt hope, calm, and a sense of family. I had relaxed muscles and my endorphins and/or oxytocin was being produced in that moment.
Well, our brains are so complex that our memories can show up in our body. These experiences seem random with no way to pinpoint why it happened. Some memories we recall are unpleasant and can be distressing. Some people remember moments of trauma and feel muscle tension, high heart rate, shallow and fast breathing, inability to speak or move etc. Many people have these responses to memories, and they fade over time. Some do not experience healing that easily from tough memories.
Based on training over the years and working with clients, I believe this is related to the amazing ways God has created our brains to move toward healing from difficult memories. In the same way, a cut does not heal because of things we do to it, but because the body has what it needs to heal it.
Sometimes, that healing does not happen naturally (just like with cuts we need helpers like band aids, stitches, antibacterial cream, etc.). Some signs we might need helpers to heal from a tough memory include:
One therapy that has shown a significant impact in dealing with painful memories is EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). It capitalizes on what we believe to be the natural healing element in our brains called REM sleep. EMDR uses eye movements (or other types of movements) to help process memories that continue to haunt us years after they are over.
Here’s what one LFS client said about her experience with EMDR therapy:
If you’ve experienced trauma and are searching for a therapy that truly works, I cannot recommend EMDR services enough. From start to finish, my experience with EMDR therapy was nothing short of incredible, and a huge part of that is thanks to [my counselor], who guided me through each session with such care and expertise. I give the entire experience a 10/10 and would highly recommend it to anyone struggling with trauma.
For me, it brought clarity and peace in ways I never thought possible. No matter how big or small the trauma may seem, EMDR has the ability to transform the way you relate to your past and help you move forward with confidence.
During the sessions, [my counselor] used bilateral stimulation techniques (like guided eye movements) to help me process my experiences. What amazed me was how these methods worked on such a deep level—memories that once felt crippling gradually lost their emotional grip.
EMDR not only helped me heal from past trauma but also gave me tools to face the future with greater resilience. I am so thankful for EMDR and to [my counselor] for helping me reclaim my life and rediscover my inner strength!
At Lutheran Family Service, we have therapists who can provide EMDR therapy in person and online, guiding your brain and your body toward healing from difficult memories, reducing such intense reactions. Immediate openings are available in Iowa at our Fort Dodge, Carroll, and Council Bluffs locations and throughout the state via telehealth, as well as in Nebraska via telehealth.
Contact us today for scheduling:
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