What is EMDR Therapy?  

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps your brain finish processing traumatic memories.

Your brain is designed to heal from trauma. Most of the time, it does this naturally—upsetting experiences get filed away as memories that don't trigger you anymore. But sometimes, especially with significant trauma, memories get stuck. Every time you think about them, your nervous system reacts as if the trauma is happening right now.

EMDR helps your brain complete the processing it couldn't do on its own.

How is EMDR Different?

Unlike talk therapy:

  • You don't have to tell me every detail of what happened

  • You don't need homework between sessions

  • We're not analyzing why you feel the way you do—we're helping your brain reprocess so you stop feeling that way

Unlike medication:

  • We're addressing the root cause, not just managing symptoms

  • There are no side effects (other than sometimes feeling tired after a session)

  • The results tend to be permanent, not dependent on continuing treatment

How it works:

While you think about the traumatic memory (or the body sensation, emotion, or belief connected to it), I'll use bilateral stimulation—usually tactile tappers that you hold in your hands, or sometimes eye movements. This activates both hemispheres of your brain and allows the memory to be reprocessed.

It sounds weird. It often feels weird at first. But it works.

What Can EMDR Help With?

  • Trauma (single-incident or complex)

  • PTSD

  • Panic attacks and anxiety

  • Depression linked to past experiences

  • Phobias

  • Distressing memories

  • Guilt and shame

  • Difficulty trusting others

  • Relationship problems rooted in past trauma

But here's the thing: EMDR works best when you're willing to face what you've been avoiding—within your window of tolerance.

If you come to me wanting relief but refusing to engage with any painful content during processing, we'll hit a wall. But I'm not asking you to dive into the deep end before you're ready. I'm asking you to be willing to push yourself a little further each time, to be honest about when you need to pause or redirect, and to work with the resistance instead of pretending it's not there.

What to Expect in EMDR Sessions

Phase 1: History and Preparation We'll talk about your trauma history and identify which memories to target. I'll teach you some grounding techniques so you can manage distress if it comes up between sessions.

Phase 2-7: Processing This is where the actual EMDR happens. We'll work on one memory (or belief, or body sensation) at a time. You'll think about it while following my hand with your eyes (or listening to bilateral sounds/taps). Every so often, I'll ask what you're noticing—new thoughts, images, sensations. We'll keep going until the memory loses its emotional charge.

Sometimes this happens in one session. Sometimes it takes several. Complex trauma usually requires more time than a single incident.

Phase 8: Reevaluation We'll check in regularly to make sure the changes are holding. Sometimes new memories or beliefs surface as we resolve others—that's normal and we'll address them as they come up.

What EMDR Requires

During sessions:

  • Stay present, even when it's uncomfortable

  • Trust the bilateral stimulation (I know it seems strange)

  • Let whatever comes up come up—don't try to force insights or control the process

  • Communicate about what's happening: "This is too intense," "I can keep going," "I need to slow down"

You'll probably resist at some point. You might want to stop. You might freeze up. You might feel like it's not working. That's normal. What matters is that you tell me what's happening rather than just shutting down.

Between sessions:

  • Use the grounding techniques I teach you if you need them

  • Don't try to "figure out" what happened in the session—let your brain keep processing

  • Tell me at our next session if anything shifted or if new stuff came up

For the relationship:

  • Be honest if you're skeptical about EMDR—we can talk about it

  • Tell me if something isn't working

  • If processing brings up something disturbing, we need to address it together—staying in communication is essential

Is EMDR Right for You?

Is EMDR Right for You?

EMDR might be a good fit if:

  • Talk therapy hasn't worked or hasn't worked well enough

  • You're tired of just "managing" symptoms

  • You want to address the root cause, not just cope better

  • You're willing to face painful memories in order to resolve them

  • You can learn to communicate when you're getting overwhelmed

EMDR might not be right for you (yet) if:

  • You're in active crisis and can't regulate your emotions at all

  • You're struggling with active addiction

  • You're completely unwilling to engage with any painful content during sessions

Not sure? Schedule a consultation and we'll figure it out together.

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(EMDR information and description adapted from www.emdria.org)