By: Jay Feldman
When pop icon Miley Cyrus told The New York Times that EMDR therapy “saved my life,” fans instantly wanted to know more about the rapid-eye-movement-based treatment she credits for taming stage fright and calming the fallout of sudden fame. The 32-year-old singer has been candid in recent interviews and podcasts about how structured EMDR sessions helped her reprocess traumatic memories from childhood stardom, a process she likened to “watching my own movie and finally changing the ending.”
But did that same therapy play a role in mending her once-fractured bond with her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus? Recent appearances together suggest the answer may be yes: Miley insists the pair are not estranged, and that simply reestablishing those lines of communication has been her family’s priority this year.
“When celebrities like Miley Cyrus talk openly about doing EMDR therapy, they de‑stigmatize trauma treatment and get people curious about healing,” notes Rebecca Kase, LCSW, founder of the Trauma Therapist Institute and author of “The Polyvagal Solution.” “EMDR works with the nervous system to reprocess experiences that got stored in a raw, reactive way; when those trauma memories settle, we can show up in our relationships (including with family) without old survival defenses running the show.”
From Stage Fright to Self-Acceptance: Miley’s EMDR Story
First developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a type of reprocessing therapy that utilizes left-right bilateral stimulation (typically guided by eye movements, tapping, or sounds) to reduce the emotional charge of traumatic memories. Cyrus says she began using EMDR therapy after the 2018 California wildfires destroyed her Malibu home, triggering classic PTSD symptoms: intrusive images, hyper-arousal, and crippling performance anxiety.
During each EMDR therapy session, her clinician walked her through vivid flashbacks (for example, paparazzi mobs or public scrutiny) while gently tracking her gaze with a light bar. As the therapy process progressed, the singer reports that body sensations cooled, a new positive belief (“I’m safe on stage”) clicked into place, and the once-overpowering post-traumatic stress disorder memories felt distant.
That change echoes peer-reviewed research on EMDR showing significant reductions in symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders after a short course of EMDR — often six to twelve therapy sessions — compared with longer cognitive behavioral therapies.
Eight Phases, One Nervous System: How Standard EMDR Therapy Works
The standard EMDR protocol consists of eight distinct phases: history-taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation of the positive belief, body-sensation scan, closure, and re-evaluation. Guided by the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model of EMDR, the therapist seeks out “stuck” neural networks where raw trauma memories are stored, often alongside the original sights, sounds, and emotions.
While the public often fixates on the hypnotic-looking rapid eye movement sets, Kase notes the true mechanism is broader, “EMDR isn’t hypnosis — it’s a neurobiological therapy procedure that jump-starts the brain’s innate capacity for adaptive information processing and emotional integration.” That integrative stance, she argues, separates EMDR from exposure therapy and other therapies for PTSD, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Rebecca Kase on Polyvagal-Informed EMDR
Kase’s specialty is weaving Polyvagal Theory — which maps how the vagus nerve governs fight-or-flight reflexes — into the eight phases. “When we attend to autonomic cues, EMDR becomes an even more effective treatment,” she notes. By monitoring heart rate, breath, and gut tension, clinicians can identify when EMDR processing is veering into overwhelming territory and adjust the stimulation accordingly.
That matters for relational wounds like Miley’s. “Family rupture is a traumatic experience,” Kase explains. “But when the nervous system learns it can safely stay connected, the brain refiles those events, making room for new patterns of contact.” Her EMDR training materials even include modules on attachment injuries — issues that mirror the Cyrus family saga.
Can EMDR Heal a Father-Daughter Rift?
“No one thing can be the catch-all for healing,” shares Kase. “It’s a combination of willingness and effort.” Early-intervention trials demonstrate robust efficacy of EMDR for grief, complicated family conflict, and even PTSD in children, often outperforming waitlists and matching CBT gains.
The EMDR International Association lists “relationship loss” among indications, noting that the effects of EMDR extend beyond flashbacks to trust, empathy, and flexible thinking — hallmarks of any healthy dialogue.
Kase cautions, “EMDR therapy may create the inner calm needed to restart a conversation, but reconciliation also depends on boundaries, reflective listening, and sometimes additional individual therapy or family work.” Still, Miley’s story illustrates how EMDR can help rewire the stress patterns that keep families locked in old scripts.
Where EMDR Fits Among Trauma Treatments
For clinicians, the takeaway is balance. Treatment for PTSD often begins with psycho-education and stabilization; therapy typically broadens into EMDR, CBT, or exposure therapy depending on the client’s history, PTSD diagnosis, and preference. Meta-analyses comparing EMDR with cognitive behavioral therapies show similar remission rates but faster gains for EMDR in certain cohorts.
Organizations such as the EMDR Institute and EMDRIA provide accredited EMDR training, ensuring that any EMDR therapist follows the standard EMDR guidelines. Adaptations now include EMDR for children, combat veterans, and medical personnel, expanding the toolkit for treating PTSD across diverse mental health conditions.
The Take-Home
Miley Cyrus’s willingness to discuss using EMDR therapy puts a spotlight on a modality once viewed as fringe. Whether it single-handedly repaired her bond with Billy Ray is impossible to prove.
Yet, the singer’s calmer stage presence and renewed family contact align with what clinicians have long observed. When the brain finishes the unfinished business of traumatic imprinting, connection comes more easily.
As Kase puts it, “When the body finally believes the past is over, present-moment love has room to breathe.”
For anyone navigating PTSD treatment, performance anxiety, or relational strife, her advice is clear: “Find a well-trained EMDR clinician, respect the full course of EMDR, and let the nervous system do what it was designed to do: heal.”
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not serve as medical or psychological advice. While EMDR therapy has shown promise in treating trauma and related conditions, individual results may vary. Readers seeking therapy or treatment for mental health concerns should consult with a qualified professional to determine the best approach for their specific needs.
