How EMDR Helped Miley Cyrus and How It Can Help Women Heal from Trauma in Jacksonville, Florida
Shanti Hollis, MS, LMHC is an EMDR therapist in Jacksonville, Fl who specializes in supporting women and teen girls as they heal from anxiety, depression, and trauma.
When I recently watched Miley Cyrus’s interview with The New York Times about her experience with EMDR therapy, I actually teared up. As a therapist who works with women and teen girls navigating trauma, anxiety, and depression here in Jacksonville, Florida, I felt such a deep “yes” in my chest. That moment, that courage to name what’s been unspoken for so long, is something I see every day in my clients.
Miley talked about using EMDR to process emotional pain that didn’t even start with her. She shared how growing up in the spotlight, in a family with its own generational patterns, left her carrying wounds she didn’t always have words for. And honestly? That’s something I hear in my therapy office all the time from women who feel like they’ve done the work, tried the tools, but still feel stuck.That’s where EMDR comes in.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It was developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro as a way to help people heal from trauma without being overwhelmed by it.
It’s not your typical “talk it all out” kind of therapy. Instead, EMDR works by helping your brain reprocess painful memories so they no longer carry the same emotional charge. Think of it like finally filing that memory into the right drawer so it doesn’t pop open at the worst times.
Here’s what that looks like in session:
You recall a distressing memory, along with the emotions and physical sensations connected to it.
I guide you through bilateral stimulation (BLS) usually eye movements, gentle tapping, or sounds.
As both sides of your brain are activated, the memory begins to shift. The pain lessens. The meaning often changes. And the healing starts.
It might sound a little strange at first, especially if you’ve only ever done traditional talk therapy, but EMDR is backed by years of research. It’s one of the most effective treatments we have for trauma and PTSD, and it’s gaining recognition for treating anxiety, depression, and generational trauma, too.
How EMDR Helped Miley Cyrus Heal Generational Trauma
Generational trauma, or intergenerational trauma, is the emotional pain passed down through families. Maybe no one ever talked about it, but you feel it in your body, your relationships, the way you respond to stress.
In her 2025 interview, Miley opened up about how EMDR helped her process not just her personal experiences, but family pain she had inherited. She spoke about the emotional toll of growing up famous and being part of a family where certain stories went untold for too long. Through EMDR, she was able to face those unresolved layers without falling apart and finally begin to break patterns that weren’t hers to carry.
In my work as an EMDR therapist in Jacksonville, I’ve supported women and teen girls who’ve uncovered generational trauma in the form of:
Always needing to appear strong and composed
Feeling like love must be earned through doing
Being overly responsible for others’ emotions
Difficulty saying no without shame or guilt
Carrying silent burdens from childhood they never had space to name
Whether the trauma is spoken or unspoken, EMDR gives your nervous system a way to release what’s been stored for far too long. It allows you to heal not just for yourself, but for the generations to come.
Why So Many Women in Jacksonville Are Choosing EMDR
If you’re a woman or teen girls in Jacksonville, Florida who’s tried therapy before and still feels like you’re circling the same pain, you’re not alone. I hear it all the time: “I understand where it comes from—but I still feel stuck.” EMDR works differently. It helps your brain and body process what talk therapy alone can’t always reach.
Women I work with in Jacksonville and across Florida often seek EMDR for things like:
Childhood trauma, especially from emotionally unavailable or critical parents
Birth trauma or difficult postpartum experiences
Sexual trauma or blurred boundaries in relationships
Complicated grief that hasn’t softened with time
Panic attacks or high-functioning anxiety
Shame that feels old and deeply rooted
EMDR offers a way through that is effective, evidence-based, and often surprisingly gentle.
What Happens During EMDR?
EMDR follows a structured 8-phase protocol. Here’s a simplified version of what a session may include:
Target identification: You bring up a memory or issue we’ve identified.
Assessment: We notice what thoughts or beliefs arise (e.g., “I’m not enough”).
Desensitization: I guide you through bilateral stimulation while you focus on the memory.
Reprocessing: Your brain begins making new connections. Often, emotions shift.
Installation: We strengthen new, healthier beliefs (e.g., “I’m worthy of love”).
Body scan: We check in with your body to release remaining tension.
Closure: You return to a grounded, calm state.
Reevaluation: At your next session, we reflect on what shifted and where to go next.
Most sessions last about 50–55 minutes. Many women feel changes after just a few sessions and others take longer depending on their history. There's no right timeline.
How to Know If EMDR Is Right for You
You don’t need to have “big T” trauma to benefit from EMDR. Some of the most powerful breakthroughs I’ve seen have been with women working through:
Anxiety that shows up as perfectionism or people-pleasing
Old beliefs like “I’m too much” or “I’m not enough”
Emotional neglect or high-stress childhoods
Relationship patterns that repeat, even when you “know better”
If you’ve tried therapy but still feel stuck, EMDR might be the next step.
Start Your Healing Journey in Jacksonville, Florida
If Miley’s story struck a chord with you, you’re not alone. Whether you're navigating depression, trauma, anxiety, or generational patterns that have followed you for years, EMDR can help you find clarity, calm, and strength again.
As a therapist for women and teen girls in Jacksonville, Florida, specializing in EMDR and trauma recovery, I’m here to support you whether in-person or through online counseling anywhere in the state.
Let’s begin something new.
