EMDR Therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapy approach that helps people process and heal from distressing or traumatic experiences. It’s especially effective for trauma, anxiety, and negative beliefs that feel “stuck.”

Here’s how it works:

When something overwhelming or traumatic happens, your brain may not fully process it the way it normally would. Instead, the memory can get “frozen” with all the distressing thoughts, emotions, and body sensations attached. That’s why even long after the event, certain triggers can cause you to relive it or feel like you’re still in danger.

EMDR helps your brain reprocess those memories in a healthier way. During sessions, your therapist will guide you to briefly bring up a troubling memory while using bilateral stimulation—like eye movements, tapping, or sounds that alternate from left to right. This stimulates both sides of the brain, helping your nervous system “unstick” the memory and integrate it more adaptively.

Most people find that over time, the memory becomes less intense, and the emotions tied to it feel more manageable. You might still remember what happened, but it won’t feel as overwhelming—and you may even come to see it with new insight or self-compassion.

EMDR is evidence-based, structured, and personalized—and many people find it to be a powerful and empowering part of their healing journey.

EMDR can be highly effective for a wide range of concerns—not just trauma. While it’s best known for treating PTSD, many people find EMDR helpful for issues like:

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Depression

• Birth trauma and postpartum struggles

• Grief and loss

• Childhood or relationship wounds

• Phobias

• Low self-esteem or negative self-beliefs

• Chronic stress or medical trauma

Whether EMDR is the right fit for you depends on your unique experiences and goals. In our work together, we’ll take the time to understand what you're going through and determine if EMDR is a good option—or if another approach might be more helpful. Many clients find that EMDR helps them move through stuck patterns and feel more grounded, empowered, and at peace.

If you're curious, we’re happy to talk more and explore whether EMDR could support your healing process.

In an EMDR session, you can expect a structured, safe, and supportive process. Here’s a general outline of what you might experience:

1. Building Trust and Preparation: In the first few sessions, we’ll take time to establish a trusting relationship and discuss your history, concerns, and specific goals. We’ll also teach you some grounding techniques to help you feel calm and centered throughout the process.

2. Identifying Target Memories: We’ll identify the specific memories or events that are causing distress. These could be traumatic events or negative beliefs that you’d like to heal from. You’ll be guided to bring these memories to mind while we prepare for the next phase.

3. Bilateral Stimulation: The core of EMDR involves bilateral stimulation (usually through guided eye movements, tapping, or sounds). This stimulation helps both sides of your brain process the memories in a healthier, more adaptive way. During this process, you’ll be asked to focus on the memory or issue while the bilateral stimulation takes place.

4. Processing and Shifting: As we move through the process, you may notice shifts in your emotions, thoughts, or physical sensations. Many people report feeling less distress or a sense of relief after just a few sessions. You may even begin to notice new insights or a change in how you view the memory or situation.

5. Integration: By the end of each session, we’ll take time to check in and integrate the changes. You’ll likely feel more grounded, less triggered by the memory, and more equipped to face similar challenges in the future.

Throughout the process, we’ll move at your pace, and you’re always in control. You might not fully process everything in one session—it can take multiple sessions to address complex or deeply-rooted issues—but many clients find EMDR to be a highly effective way to make lasting progress.

You can expect to leave sessions feeling lighter, more at peace, and better equipped to handle difficult emotions or memories.

EMDR is generally considered a safe and effective treatment for trauma and other emotional challenges. However, like any therapy, there may be some temporary side effects or risks to be aware of:

1. Emotional Intensity: EMDR can bring up strong emotions or distressing memories as you work through past trauma or painful experiences. While this is a normal part of the healing process, it can feel overwhelming at times. We work together to ensure you feel supported and grounded during the process, and we’ll use coping strategies to help you manage any difficult emotions that arise.

2. Physical Sensations: Some clients report physical sensations such as tension, fatigue, or a sense of being “disconnected” during or after a session. These sensations usually subside after a short period, but if they become persistent or uncomfortable, we will address them together.

3. Temporary Increase in Symptoms: In some cases, you might feel an increase in anxiety, sadness, or distress right after a session. This is often referred to as a "healing crisis," and it’s a normal part of the process as your brain works to integrate the changes. Any discomfort is usually temporary, and many people feel better after processing through the difficult emotions.

4. Memories Resurfacing: Sometimes, memories or feelings that were previously suppressed may come to the surface during EMDR. While this can be part of the healing process, we’ll make sure you have the proper tools and support to handle these memories safely and productively.

It’s important to remember that the goal of EMDR is to help you process and integrate memories in a way that reduces their emotional charge over time. Throughout the process, we will check in regularly to ensure you're feeling comfortable and that the pace is right for you.

Before starting EMDR, we will discuss any concerns you may have and ensure it’s the right approach for your needs. If at any point you feel that EMDR isn’t helping or you’re experiencing unexpected difficulties, we’ll work together to adjust or consider other approaches.

Our therapists are highly trained and experienced in EMDR therapy. Each therapist has completed EMDR-specific training through reputable programs that are approved by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). This ensures that they have met the rigorous standards for practicing EMDR with skill and expertise.

In addition to completing advanced training in EMDR, our therapists have extensive experience working with clients who are dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, and other emotional challenges. They stay up to date with the latest research and best practices in EMDR to provide the most effective treatment.

Our therapists approach EMDR with a compassionate, client-centered mindset, creating a safe and supportive environment where you can process difficult memories and experiences at your own pace. They are committed to tailoring the therapy to your individual needs, ensuring that you feel comfortable and empowered throughout the process.

If you have any questions about a specific therapist’s background or experience with EMDR, please feel free to reach out—we’re happy to provide more details.