How Miley Cyrus Uses EMDR Therapy—and How It Can Help You Heal Too

In a recent Well+Good article, pop icon and legendary Miley Cyrus shared her experience using EMDR therapy to process trauma. Her journey began with anxiety around performing for large crowds after the pandemic and extended into healing deep emotional memories—like the loving bond she shared with her grandmother in childhood. This story beautifully illustrates how EMDR and attachment theory can work together to support profound healing. For many, Miley’s openness is a powerful reminder that emotional wounds affect everyone, no matter their fame, and that healing is a deeply personal and courageous journey.

But what exactly is EMDR—and how can it help you heal from trauma, body shame, or painful childhood experiences?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a trauma-focused therapy designed to help people process and release disturbing memories, emotional pain, and stuck patterns. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR works by helping your nervous system discharge the emotional charge of trauma so you can move forward with greater ease, clarity, and self-compassion.

2. What Is EMDR and How It Works

EMDR therapy uses a structured eight-phase approach that includes something called bilateral stimulation—often in the form of eye movements, tapping, or sounds that alternate between the left and right sides of the body. While this might sound unusual at first, the process is grounded in neuroscience.

Bilateral stimulation activates both hemispheres of the brain and helps integrate painful memories that may have been “stuck” in the nervous system. This allows you to reprocess those memories in a way that feels less intense, less overwhelming, and more resolved.

Clients often report that after EMDR, they can still remember what happened—but it no longer feels like it’s happening right now. The emotional charge softens, and space for clarity, safety, and self-trust begins to open up. Most of my clients describe this shift as feeling like they can finally breathe and observe their trauma from a distance—no longer trapped in the immediate flood of overwhelming emotions.

The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy: A structured, evidence-based approach to help you process trauma, release emotional pain, and build lasting resilience—one phase at a time.

The Phases of EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy follows an eight-phase protocol:

1. History Taking & Treatment Planning
   Explore your background, current challenges, and target memories.

2. Preparation
   Learn calming tools to feel safe and grounded.

3. Assessment
   Identify the memory, beliefs, emotions, and body sensations to work on.

4. Desensitization
   Use bilateral stimulation to reduce emotional intensity.

5. Installation
   Strengthen new, adaptive beliefs to replace old negative ones.

6. Body Scan
   Check for and release any lingering body distress.

7. Closure
   End each session feeling safe, stable, and grounded.

8. Reevaluation
   Follow-up to assess progress and identify remaining needs.

After Phase 8: Reevaluation, the process often loops back to Phase 3: Assessment, especially if:

• There are still unresolved memories or symptoms

• New material has surfaced

• The original memory wasn't fully processed

• Additional targets are identified for reprocessing

This cyclical nature is intentional. EMDR is designed to adapt to the client’s evolving healing journey. Each new target memory goes through Phases 3–8 again, and sometimes clients revisit prior memories from a new perspective.

3. Why This Matters

Miley’s use of EMDR is a powerful example of how trauma doesn’t have to look one specific way—and how healing is available to anyone willing to seek support.

In my therapy work, I often see clients struggling with:

• Childhood trauma and emotionally immature parents

• Body shame rooted in early attachment wounds or societal/cultural expectations

• People-pleasing and perfectionism tied to not feeling "good enough"

• Somatic symptoms like chronic tension, anxiety, or emotional numbness

Like Miley, many clients come to EMDR not because they’ve experienced a single traumatic event, but because they’re carrying the weight of accumulated emotional pain—and their nervous system is asking for relief.

4. Therapist’s Take

As a trauma therapist trained in EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Somatic Experiencing, I believe that true healing happens when we support both the mind and the body.

I’ve seen EMDR help clients:

• Reconnect with younger parts of themselves with compassion

• Release shame they’ve carried in their bodies for decades

• Move beyond looping thoughts and emotional flashbacks

• Set boundaries with confidence after years of people-pleasing

Whether you’re dealing with unresolved childhood wounds, body image struggles, or relational trauma, EMDR can help you shift out of survival mode and into a place of integration, wholeness, and resilience.

READY FOR EMDR THERAPY?

If you’ve been curious about EMDR therapy—or if Miley’s story sparked something in you—know that you’re not alone. Healing is possible. And it’s okay to start where you are.

I offer EMDR therapy both in weekly sessions and in intensive formats, tailored to support your healing at your pace. If you're ready to explore how EMDR can support your journey, I’d be honored to connect with you.

👉 Click here to learn more about my practice.
👉 Or contact me directly for a free 15-minute consultation.

You deserve support. You deserve relief. And your healing matters.