EMDR Therapy

Some events can leave you feeling stuck, as if your mind and body are still living in the past. Painful memories may replay unexpectedly, trigger strong emotional reactions, or keep you in patterns you do not fully understand. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a powerful therapy that helps people heal from trauma by working directly with the brain's natural ability to recover.

If you have been carrying the weight of traumatic experiences, EMDR offers a structured, evidence-based path toward healing and relief.

What Is EMDR?

EMDR is a therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they no longer feel overwhelming or intrusive. Instead of talking in detail about the trauma, EMDR focuses on helping your nervous system release the emotional charge that has become stuck.

During EMDR sessions, bilateral stimulation such as guided eye movements, tapping, or sound is used to support the brain in processing difficult memories. This process can shift how you experience the past, allowing you to feel more present, calm, and in control.

How EMDR Helps

When a traumatic event happens, your brain may not fully process the experience the way it normally would. The memory can get frozen in a raw and unprocessed form, along with the emotions, beliefs, and physical sensations that came with it. EMDR helps unfreeze these memories and supports your brain in completing the healing process that was interrupted.

During EMDR, you will be gently guided through a series of steps that allow your brain to heal as it is naturally designed to do.

The Eight Phases of EMDR Therapy

EMDR is a structured therapy that follows eight clearly defined phases. These phases help ensure that you feel prepared, supported, and safe throughout the process.

1. History and Treatment Planning

We begin by exploring your history, current concerns, and goals. Together, we identify the memories or themes that will be the focus of our work.

2. Preparation

You will learn grounding tools and calming strategies to help you feel safe and in control. We will build trust and make sure you are ready to begin processing at your own pace.

3. Assessment

We identify the specific memory to target in a session. You will briefly recall the image, emotion, belief, and body sensation connected to it, so that we can fully map the experience.

4. Desensitization

This is where the bilateral stimulation begins. As you focus on the memory, your brain starts to process it in a new way. Over time, the memory becomes less distressing.

5. Installation

We strengthen a positive belief about yourself to replace the old negative belief that was connected to the memory. This helps create lasting change.

6. Body Scan

You will check in with your body to notice any leftover tension or discomfort. If needed, we continue processing until your body feels calm and neutral.

7. Closure

Each session ends with grounding and stabilization to make sure you leave feeling safe and supported, even if processing is still happening between sessions.

8. Reevaluation

At the start of each new session, we check in on past work and adjust the treatment plan as needed to support your continued healing.

What Can EMDR Help With?

EMDR can help with:

  • PTSD and C-PTSD

  • Childhood abuse and neglect

  • Sexual assault or violence

  • Grief and loss

  • Medical trauma

  • Anxiety and panic

  • Shame and negative self-beliefs

Healing with EMDR does not mean forgetting what happened. It means freeing yourself from the emotional grip of the past so you can live with more peace, clarity, and confidence.

Ready to Begin?

If you are curious about EMDR or wondering whether it might be right for you, I invite you to contact me. You do not have to figure it all out alone. I am here to support you on your healing journey. Reach out today to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation, book an appointment, or ask any questions.