Have you ever had the sense that something painful happened in your past, but the details are hazy—or completely missing? Maybe you’ve been told stories about your childhood that don’t quite line up with what you remember. Or perhaps there are emotional triggers you can’t explain, physical sensations that seem to come out of nowhere, or memories that feel fragmented. When your mind has hidden painful memories, you might wonder: how can therapy help if I can’t even remember what I’m trying to heal?
The truth is, you’re not alone. It’s incredibly common for people—especially those who experienced trauma early in life—to have gaps in their memory. This is often your brain’s way of protecting you. You may carry anxiety, self-doubt, or unexplained sadness without knowing exactly why.
This is where EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy can be a powerful tool.
You may carry anxiety, self-doubt, or unexplained sadness without knowing exactly why.
This is where EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy can be a powerful tool. EMDR doesn’t require you to have a clear, detailed memory of what happened in order to begin healing. Instead, it helps you process the emotional and physical responses tied to trauma—even when the memories themselves are unclear or missing. With the help of a trained therapist, EMDR can safely guide you through the healing process by working with what you do know: feelings, body sensations, beliefs, or partial memories.
One of the most common questions we hear is, “What would I even work on in therapy if I don’t remember?” The answer is: we start with what’s present for you now. That might be a recurring emotional pattern, a fear you can’t explain, or a sense of unease that won’t go away. EMDR allows us to gently explore those experiences and uncover the hidden wounds beneath them—without needing to force a memory that isn’t ready to surface.
At Healing Horizons Therapy, we believe healing is still possible even when your past feels out of reach. Your brain and body already hold the keys—you just need the right support to unlock them. EMDR therapy offers a path forward when your past feels like a puzzle missing pieces. If you’re ready to take the first step, we’re here to walk that path with you.
