EMDR that Self-Critic Out of Here!
This month’s blog is the fourth one in a series about self-criticism, the inner critic and how this impacts on our confidence and wellbeing. Each month I’ll take a look at the way different therapy modalities deal with the inner critic when it shows up. This month we look at EMDR.
Healing the Inner Critic with EMDR Therapy
Everyone has an "inner voice." Ideally, it offers encouragement, self-reflection, and wise guidance. But for many people, that voice turns harsh — a relentless inner critic that points out every flaw, magnifies every mistake, and sows seeds of self-doubt.
Where does this critical voice come from? And more importantly, how can we quiet it and heal from its impact? One powerful approach is EMDR therapy.
What Is the Inner Critic?
The "inner critic" refers to the negative self-talk many people experience. It might say things like:
"You're not good enough."
"You're going to fail."
"No one really likes you."
This critical voice often develops early, shaped by painful experiences such as:
Childhood criticism, bullying, or emotional neglect
Trauma or abuse
Cultural and societal messages about worth, success, and appearance
Over time, these external judgments become internalized, forming a persistent inner narrative. Left unchecked, the inner critic can lead to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even self-sabotage.
Enter EMDR: A Different Way to Heal
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach originally developed for trauma. But its applications have broadened enormously, especially for issues rooted in negative self-beliefs — like the inner critic.
Rather than simply "talking back" to the inner critic or trying to affirm your way out of its grip (which can sometimes feel hollow), EMDR helps you target and transform the painful memories and beliefs that feed it.
How EMDR Addresses the Inner Critic
Identifying the Root
In EMDR, you work with a therapist to identify key memories or experiences that shaped your negative self-talk. Maybe it's a memory of being told you were "too much" or "not enough" by a caregiver, teacher, or peer.Processing the Memory
Using bilateral stimulation (like following a therapist's fingers with your eyes, tapping, or sounds), EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories. The emotional charge around them softens.Updating the Belief
As the memory becomes less distressing, the negative beliefs ("I'm worthless," "I'm a failure") lose their grip. New, more balanced beliefs can emerge naturally — like "I am good enough" or "I am deserving of love and respect."Building Inner Resilience
EMDR also focuses on strengthening positive resources: memories of times when you felt competent, loved, or powerful. This reinforces a more compassionate inner voice.
Why EMDR Can Be So Effective for the Inner Critic
Traditional therapy approaches often work "top-down" — helping people reframe their thoughts logically. EMDR works "bottom-up," addressing the emotional and neurological roots of self-criticism.
It doesn’t just tell you that you’re worthy — it helps you feel it at a deep, embodied level.
People who do EMDR often report that their inner critic becomes quieter, less believable, and easier to recognize for what it is: an outdated voice from the past, not a truth about who they are.
A Note of Hope
If you struggle with a harsh inner critic, you’re not alone — and you’re not broken. That voice was learned. And what is learned can also be unlearned and healed.
EMDR offers a powerful path to not just silence the inner critic, but to replace it with something far better: an inner ally that nurtures, supports, and champions you.
If you are curious about EMDR Therapy and how it might be of help to you, feel free to contact us here at Rhizome Practice.
