Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

What Is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based approach that helps people heal from distressing or overwhelming experiences. When something painful happens, the brain’s natural ability to process information can become disrupted. Memories, emotions, or body sensations connected to the experience may remain unprocessed, leaving you feeling stuck, reactive, or disconnected even long after the event has passed.

EMDR helps the brain resume its natural healing process. In a session, you’ll focus on a specific memory, thought, or emotion while engaging in gentle bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or tones. This process activates both sides of the brain and allows the memory to be reprocessed in a new way. Instead of feeling like the event is happening all over again, it begins to take its proper place in the past.

Over time, the emotional intensity of the memory decreases. You may find that distressing images or sensations no longer carry the same charge, and that new, more balanced perspectives naturally emerge. The goal of EMDR is not to erase the past, but to help you integrate it so it no longer defines how you feel about yourself or how you respond to the world around you.

Many people describe EMDR as a gentle yet powerful approach that supports both the mind and body in releasing what has been held for too long. Through this process, it becomes possible to experience greater calm, clarity, and connection to the present moment.

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What EMDR Can Help With

EMDR is an evidence-based therapy that has been shown to effectively treat trauma and many related issues. It helps the brain reprocess memories that are stuck in the nervous system, allowing emotional responses to settle and new insights to emerge. While originally developed for post-traumatic stress, EMDR is now used to address a wide range of concerns, including:

  • Post-traumatic stress and single-event trauma

  • Complex or developmental trauma

  • Anxiety, panic, and chronic worry

  • Depression and feelings of guilt or shame

  • Grief and loss

  • Relationship or attachment wounds

  • Phobias and performance anxiety

  • OCD and intrusive thoughts

  • Dissociation and feeling detached from the self or body

By targeting the root of emotional distress rather than just the symptoms, EMDR helps people feel more grounded, balanced, and in control of their lives.

Why EMDR Therapy?

When Talking About It Isn’t Enough

Traditional talk therapy can be very helpful for gaining insight, exploring emotions, and building coping skills. But sometimes, simply talking about trauma doesn’t ease the intensity of how it lives in the body. EMDR works differently: instead of focusing only on the story, it helps the brain and nervous system reprocess memories so they no longer feel stuck. This allows for deep healing even when words feel limited.

Evidence-Based

EMDR is one of the most researched trauma therapies in the world. Dozens of studies show that it can significantly reduce the symptoms of PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, and depression. It is recognized by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA) as an effective treatment for trauma. Many people experience relief more quickly than with talk therapy alone.

When EMDR Might Be the Right Fit

EMDR can be helpful if you notice that painful experiences from the past are still affecting your life today. It may be a good option for:

  • Memories of childhood experiences that continue to impact your self-worth

  • Ongoing effects of abuse, neglect, or bullying

  • Anxiety, panic, or phobias that interfere with daily life

  • Feeling triggered by certain people, places, or situations even when you know you are safe

  • Grief or loss that feels overwhelming or unresolved

  • Persistent shame, self-criticism, or feelings of not being “enough”

  • Stressful or traumatic life events such as accidents, medical issues, or sudden changes

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How EMDR Works in Practice

As an EMDR Certified Therapist, my approach begins with creating safety and trust. Before we begin reprocessing, we spend time developing grounding skills, identifying internal resources, and strengthening your ability to stay present while exploring the past. This preparation phase helps ensure that the work feels steady, collaborative, and within your control.

When you feel ready to process, we focus on specific memories, sensations, or beliefs that continue to cause distress. I guide you through gentle bilateral stimulation using eye movements, tapping, or alternating tones. This helps both sides of the brain communicate more effectively so the memory can be reprocessed in a way that no longer feels threatening. As this happens, the emotional charge often softens, and new insights or perspectives may arise naturally.

Throughout the process, you remain aware and in charge of your pace. My role is to help your nervous system stay regulated and supported while your brain does the healing work it already knows how to do. Over time, experiences that once felt overwhelming begin to lose their intensity. The goal of EMDR is not to erase the past, but to help your mind and body integrate what happened so you can move forward with a greater sense of calm, confidence, and self-trust.

What an EMDR Session Can Involve

  • Beginning with grounding and stabilization so you feel safe and supported

  • Identifying memories, sensations, or beliefs that still carry emotional weight

  • Using gentle bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or tones

  • Allowing the brain to naturally reprocess distressing material at your own pace

  • Noticing shifts in emotion, body sensations, or perspective as integration happens

  • Returning to grounding whenever needed to maintain a sense of safety

  • Closing each session with calm, regulation, and reflection on your progress

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How EMDR Helps

Calms the Nervous System

Trauma can leave the body feeling like it is always on alert. EMDR helps the nervous system recognize that the danger has passed. Many people notice a greater sense of calm, fewer physical stress responses, and the ability to feel safer in daily life.

Reduces the Intensity of Memories

Painful experiences often feel “frozen” and continue to intrude long after they are over. EMDR allows the brain to reprocess these memories so they lose their raw, overwhelming quality. The memory remains, but it no longer feels as though it is happening in the present.

Eases Triggers and Emotional Reactions

With EMDR, reminders of the past become less disruptive. Clients often report that things that once set off panic, shame, or anger begin to feel more manageable. This makes it easier to respond with choice rather than feeling hijacked by emotions.

Builds Confidence and Self-Compassion

As the weight of trauma lifts, many people find it easier to trust themselves, build healthier relationships, and move forward with more clarity. EMDR helps replace shame and fear with resilience, compassion, and a stronger sense of self.

The 8 Phases of EMDR

  1. History Taking & Treatment Planning
    We begin by talking through your history, current concerns, and goals for therapy. This helps us create a plan that feels safe and tailored to you.

  2. Preparation
    You’ll learn grounding and calming techniques to use both inside and outside of sessions. This stage focuses on building safety and trust before working with painful memories.

  3. Assessment
    We identify a specific memory to work on and explore the thoughts, feelings, and body sensations connected to it. This helps target where healing is needed.

  4. Desensitization
    Using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sound), we reprocess the memory so it loses its overwhelming intensity.

  5. Installation
    We strengthen a positive belief (such as “I am safe now” or “I am worthy”) to replace the old negative belief tied to the memory.

  6. Body Scan
    We check for any lingering tension or discomfort in the body and process it if needed, so the memory feels resolved both mentally and physically.

  7. Closure
    Each session ends with grounding, making sure you leave feeling safe and stable, even if the memory work isn’t fully complete yet.

  8. Reevaluation
    At the start of the next session, we review progress, check how things feel now, and decide on the next steps together.

Frequently asked questions

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based approach that helps the brain and body reprocess distressing memories so they no longer feel as overwhelming or “stuck.” It uses bilateral stimulation — such as gentle eye movements or tapping — to help your nervous system complete what it couldn’t at the time of the trauma. The result is that painful memories lose their emotional charge and become easier to think about without feeling flooded.

  • We always begin with preparation — learning grounding tools, identifying safe resources, and building trust. Once your system feels ready, we target specific memories or experiences that still feel charged. You’ll focus on the memory while following gentle eye movements or taps. Throughout the process, I’ll check in often to ensure it feels safe and manageable. We close each session with grounding to help you leave feeling stable and centered.

  • No. EMDR doesn’t require you to retell every detail of what happened. You’ll stay in touch with the memory internally, but we focus on your present experience — sensations, thoughts, and emotions — while your brain does the healing work. You remain in control at all times, and we move at a pace that feels safe for you.

  • Yes — with the right pacing and preparation. I specialize in working with dissociation and use parts work alongside EMDR to ensure each part of you feels safe and included. We spend time building stability first so that no part feels pushed or left behind during reprocessing. EMDR can be deeply healing for dissociation when guided with care.

  • While talk therapy focuses on insight and understanding, EMDR works directly with how the brain and body store trauma. It allows you to process experiences even when words are hard to find. Many people who feel “stuck” in talk therapy find EMDR helps them move from awareness to actual relief and change.

  • Yes. EMDR can be safely and effectively adapted for telehealth sessions using secure bilateral stimulation tools or simple methods like alternating visual or tactile cues. Many clients find virtual EMDR just as effective and appreciate being in the comfort of their own space.Item description

  • EMDR is supported by research for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, grief, and many other stress-related issues. It can also be helpful for emotional neglect, chronic self-doubt, and the lingering effects of childhood experiences that still shape how you feel about yourself today.

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Life can feel heavy at times, and none of us are meant to carry it all alone. I’d be honored to walk alongside you as you find steadiness, clarity, and healing in your own way.

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