Beyond Talk Therapy: How EMDR Targets the Root of Panic with Lilly Risch

Have you ever felt like you’ve talked about your anxiety until you’re blue in the face, yet the panic still feels "stuck" in your body?

Traditional talk therapy is a wonderful tool for gaining insight, but for many struggling with panic and agoraphobia, logic isn't enough to stop a racing heart. On the latest episode of A Healthy Push, I sat down with Lilly Rish, an EMDR therapist and consultant, to discuss how Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) offers a body-based path to healing.

The Limitation of "Just Talking"

Many people hit a plateau in recovery because panic isn't just a thought—it’s a physical and emotional response stored in the nervous system. Lilly explains that EMDR helps address these deeper layers that traditional conversation often misses. By using bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements or rhythmic tapping—EMDR mimics the brain's natural processing state found in REM sleep to help "unlock" and reprocess distressing memories.

Finding the "Root" of the Fear

EMDR operates on the adaptive information processing lens. This means looking at current panic symptoms not as random glitches, but as adaptive responses to past experiences. Lilly often asks her clients, "How has this anxiety helped you?" By finding the root theme—whether it's a need for control or a fear of being unsafe—you can begin to address the core belief driving the panic.

What Does an EMDR Session Look Like?

One common misconception is that EMDR is just waving fingers in front of a face. In reality, the process is deeply structured:

• The Prep Phase: You and your therapist build emotional regulation techniques and "positive resources" before diving into difficult memories.

• Identifying the Theme: You pinpoint a specific image, negative belief (e.g., "I am not safe"), and the physical sensation in your body.

• Reprocessing: Using bilateral stimulation, the therapist acts as an anchor while your brain does the heavy lifting of moving that memory from a "high-alert" state to a calm, historical one.

Is It a "Quick Fix"?

While EMDR can often help clients see progress faster than talk therapy alone, it is not magic. It requires a strong therapeutic relationship and a willingness to stay present with uncomfortable feelings. However, for those who feel they’ve tried everything, it provides a vital bridge between knowing you are safe intellectually and actually feeling safe in your body.

Connect with Lilly:

Visit her on Instagram @forward.healing.therapy

or at forwardhealingtherapy.com.

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