Chances are you've heard of the "fight, flight, or freeze" response. These terms have become common ways to describe reactions to stress, anxiety, panic, or even emotional shutdown. While these responses are widely recognized, there is another important survival response that often goes overlooked: fawning.

EMDR has become increasingly popular in both therapist circles and on social media. While that's helped more people learn about it, it also means that many clients come into therapy requesting EMDR without fully understanding what it is or how it works. My hope is that this post helps answer some of those questions and gives you a clearer picture of what to expect.

If you froze, avoided conflict, or tried to keep the peace to stay safe, your body was doing what it believed it needed to do to survive. Our nervous systems are wired to protect us from danger and help ensure survival. Without these automatic responses, humans likely wouldn’t have survived early threats in our environment. These internal alarm systems send signals to the brain and body that something may be unsafe, allowing us to react quickly before we have time to think logically.

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what to expect during your first session. In this guide, learn what happens in a therapy intake session, how to prepare for virtual or in-person therapy, and what building a safe, supportive therapeutic relationship can look like. Whether you’re beginning therapy for anxiety, trauma, EMDR, or personal growth, this post offers a compassionate look into the first steps of the healing process.