EMDR Therapy
A Path to Healing from Trauma and Anxiety
Are You Struggling with Memories or Emotions You Just Can’t Move Past?
Sometimes, painful experiences linger long after the event has passed. You might find yourself reliving distressing memories, having flashbacks, or feeling emotionally stuck. Maybe certain situations, sounds, or even smells trigger anxiety, panic, or overwhelming emotions that seem impossible to shake. You may have tried talking about it, but the weight of your past still feels too heavy to carry.
Whether you’re dealing with trauma, panic attacks, phobias, or even nightmares, EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can help you process what’s holding you back so you can heal and move forward.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is a unique and effective approach to treating trauma and other distressing life experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses on helping your brain reprocess and release painful memories that are stuck. Trauma can get stored in our brains in a way that feels unresolved, which is why those memories can continue to cause emotional and physical pain.
Through guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, EMDR therapy helps your brain reprocess these memories in a way that reduces their emotional charge. As a result, distressing events or thoughts that used to feel overwhelming can begin to feel more manageable, allowing you to respond with less anxiety or fear.
What Happens in an EMDR Session?
If you’re new to EMDR, the idea of the process might feel a bit mysterious or even intimidating.
Here’s what you can expect during a typical EMDR session:
History and Preparation: We’ll start by talking about your history and identifying the memories, emotions, or beliefs that are causing distress. It’s important that you feel safe and prepared before we begin the reprocessing work. We’ll also discuss grounding techniques you can use if you feel overwhelmed at any point during the process.
Targeting a Memory: Once you’re comfortable, we’ll choose a specific memory, emotion, or thought to focus on during the session. This doesn’t mean you have to relive every detail of the experience. Instead, you’ll simply bring to mind the emotions and physical sensations that come up when you think about it.
Bilateral Stimulation: During the reprocessing phase, I’ll guide you through a series of bilateral stimulation techniques, such as moving your eyes back and forth following a light or tapping rhythmically. This stimulation helps your brain process the memory differently. You might notice thoughts, images, or feelings come up during this time—this is a normal part of the process.
Processing and Reflection: After each set of bilateral stimulation, we’ll pause to reflect on what came up for you. The goal is to allow your brain to naturally process and shift the way it stores the memory. You might find that the memory feels less intense or that new insights emerge. We’ll continue this process until the memory no longer feels as distressing.
Closing and Grounding: At the end of the session, we’ll take time to make sure you feel grounded and calm. We’ll use relaxation or mindfulness techniques to help you leave the session feeling more centered and in control. It’s important to know that EMDR can bring up strong emotions, but you’ll have tools to help you manage them.
EMDR is designed to be a gentle, supportive process. It’s not about forcing you to confront painful experiences before you’re ready—it’s about giving your mind and body the space to heal in a way that feels safe and manageable.
What Issues Can EMDR Therapy Help With?
EMDR is often associated with trauma recovery, but its benefits extend beyond just treating PTSD. It can be used to help people who are struggling with:
Panic attacks
Phobias or specific fears
Anxiety related to traumatic experiences
Flashbacks or nightmares
Addictions
Distressing memories from childhood or recent events
Grief and loss
If you’re feeling stuck in a cycle of distress or if traditional talk therapy hasn’t worked for you, EMDR can offer a powerful way to break free from the patterns that keep you trapped in the past.
How I Use EMDR Therapy to Help You Heal
In our work together, my goal is to create a safe, supportive environment where you can gently explore the experiences that continue to affect you. EMDR allows us to go deeper, accessing the memories or emotions that may not come up through regular talk therapy, and it gives you the tools to process those experiences in a new, healthier way.
Here’s what you can expect from EMDR therapy with me:
A Personalized Approach: Each person’s journey is unique. We’ll start by identifying the specific experiences or memories that are causing you the most distress. Then, we’ll work at a pace that feels comfortable for you, gradually reprocessing those memories so they no longer have the same emotional grip on you.
Bilateral Stimulation Techniques: During EMDR, we use bilateral stimulation—either through eye movements, tapping, or sounds—while you focus on a memory or emotion. This technique helps your brain reprocess the memory so that it becomes less emotionally charged.
Non-Invasive and Non-Judgmental: Unlike some forms of therapy that require you to talk through every detail of a painful experience, EMDR allows you to process emotions without having to relive the trauma. You’ll be guided through the process with compassion and without judgment, helping you feel safe and supported as you heal.
Healing at Your Own Pace: Whether your distress is from a single traumatic event or from more complex, ongoing trauma, EMDR therapy allows you to heal at your own pace. It’s not about forcing you to confront your pain all at once—it’s about working through it gradually, in a way that feels manageable.
The Benefits of EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy has helped countless individuals recover from the emotional wounds that trauma and distress can leave behind. By reprocessing the memories and emotions that are keeping you stuck, EMDR helps you find relief from the distress that feels like it’s taking over your life.
Here are just a few of the benefits you may experience through EMDR.
A reduction in distressing memories and flashbacks
Feeling less triggered by situations or experiences that once caused anxiety or panic
Greater emotional resilience and the ability to handle stress more effectively
An increased sense of peace, calm, and control in your everyday life
Better sleep, fewer nightmares, and reduced anxiety symptoms
Let’s Work Together to Help You Heal
Right now, you might feel like your past has too much control over your present. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. EMDR therapy can help you reclaim your life, free from the anxiety, panic, or trauma that’s been holding you back.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
If you’re ready to heal and move forward, I’m here to help. You don’t have to face these challenges alone. Call me today at +1 408-479-4663, or book your first EMDR session online.