Recently, there has been increasing discussion about a psychotherapy method that, despite emerging at the end of the last century, is now experiencing a true renaissance. This resurgence has been fueled in part by revelations from global celebrities like singer Miley Cyrus, who openly shared how she overcame stage fright and persistent anxiety using a technique known as EMDR. Her story about how therapy enabled her to uncover the deeper roots of her struggles has sparked a wave of interest in this approach, which promises not just symptom relief, but genuine inner transformation.
A Celebrity Journey: Delving Into Memory
Miley Cyrus’s story borders on the mystical. During her sessions, she was able to immerse herself in memories that stretched beyond her own life, tracing her family’s history. The singer describes the experience as a hypnotic journey, in which she watched scenes from the past unfold like a film. This allowed her to realize that at the core of her fears—including stage fright—was a deep, inherited need for love and acceptance passed down through generations. She says that once she understood this underlying cause, a heavy weight was lifted off her shoulders and her fear of performing disappeared for good. This experience became a turning point, freeing her from the chains that had held her back creatively and personally.
What is EMDR and how does it work?
The technique that helped the artist so much is called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). It was developed by American psychologist Francine Shapiro in the 1980s. The method involves stimulating both hemispheres of the brain through alternating eye movements, sounds, or tactile touches. Experts explain that traumatic information can become ‘stuck’ in neural networks, remaining unprocessed. Imagine a computer file that didn’t close properly and now constantly causes system errors. EMDR helps the brain ‘restart’ the process. During a session, in a safe environment, the individual focuses on a painful memory or sensation while the therapist guides their attention through stimulation. This activates the neural network where the trauma is ‘stuck’ and allows the brain to finally process it, integrating it into the overall memory system. As a result, the memory does not disappear, but it loses its painful emotional charge.
Neurobiology of Healing: What Happens in the Brain
Modern science confirms that psychological trauma leaves a tangible mark on the brain. The amygdala, which is responsible for fear response, is activated, as well as the hippocampus, which stores the event context, and the prefrontal cortex, which tries to make sense of what is happening. During trauma, this mechanism is disrupted, and the amygdala continues to send alarm signals even when the danger has passed. According to experts, the EMDR process simulates the REM sleep phase, during which our brain processes daily experiences and consolidates knowledge. The eye movements trigger a sort of ‘neural massage’ that helps unlock stuck information. The brain gets a chance to revisit the experience, and what once caused pain becomes just another memory from the past, no longer triggering an acute reaction.
The path to freedom: from the first session to results
EMDR therapy is not a magic bullet, and it usually begins with a preparatory stage. The first few sessions are dedicated to assessment and creating an atmosphere of trust. It’s important for the person to feel safe and to have internal resources to work through difficult memories. However, in cases of specific phobias, like Miley Cyrus, the process can sometimes start from the very first session. The number of sessions varies: for processing a single fear, 3-6 sessions may be enough, while more complex traumas require more time. The key is not speed, but the quality of processing. The uniqueness of the method lies in the fact that the person doesn’t need to repeatedly recount the traumatic event in detail. It’s enough to let the brain itself find the source of the pain and heal it. Experts say that after complete processing, the memory does not return. The wound heals. Of course, other related experiences may arise, but what has been healed remains stable. As a result, a person not only overcomes fear—they regain freedom, confidence, and the joy of self-expression.
