Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly researched, evidence-based therapy designed to help you heal from trauma, anxiety, and other distressing experiences. EMDR helps the brain reprocess stuck or painful memories so they no longer feel as raw, intrusive, or overwhelming. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—through eye movements, tapping, or sound—to help the brain naturally resolve what it couldn’t process in the moment.
It’s most well-known for treating PTSD, but EMDR can also help with anxiety, grief, phobias, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and other forms of emotional distress that stem from difficult life experiences.
How Does EMDR Work?
When something distressing happens, your brain sometimes files that memory as something vital for survival. Think of a smoke alarm, where it is supposed to go off, telling everyone to get out because there is a fire. Now, we all have had a smoke alarm go off when it wasn’t needed - usually when someone is cooking something. That’s what happens when we have trauma. Our brain is like a smart smoke alarm, picking up on patterns that have previously led to danger, helping it alert us before things get really bad. This is really good for survival, but unfortunately, it can start going off too much, leaving us distressed when there isn’t actually any present danger. EMDR helps your brain reprocess that memory so that your “too alert” inner smoke alarm can be recalibrated to assess threats more accurately, rather than detecting danger 24/7.
During EMDR, I’ll guide you through gentle bilateral stimulation (usually with eye movements or alternating tapping) while you briefly focus on the memory, emotion, or belief we’re working on. Your brain does the heavy lifting—it integrates new information, reduces emotional intensity, and often brings a sense of peace or closure. You remain fully in control the entire time.
EMDR and ART share many similarities (in fact, ART was built from EMDR foundations). Both therapies help the brain heal through reprocessing distressing experiences—but EMDR tends to be more structured and detailed in exploring how the memories connect, while ART moves more quickly through visualization and metaphor. I’m trained in both and often choose which approach fits best depending on your goals, comfort, and how your brain naturally processes information.
What Problems Does EMDR Work Best For?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Complex Trauma (C-PTSD)
Anxiety and panic
Grief and loss
Phobias
Performance anxiety and perfectionism
Childhood neglect or emotional invalidation
Self-esteem and self-worth wounds
Relationship trauma or attachment wounds
EMDR is versatile—it can help both single-incident traumas (like a car accident or breakup) and long-term, repeated stressors (like growing up in an unpredictable or critical environment).
What to Expect in EMDR Sessions
Our work begins by building trust and stability first. Before we even begin reprocessing memories, we’ll spend time strengthening your sense of safety and learning grounding skills so your nervous system feels prepared. Once ready, I’ll guide you step-by-step through the EMDR process, keeping you in control and supported throughout.
Most people begin noticing relief within just a few sessions, and many describe feeling lighter, calmer, and less reactive to old triggers. While EMDR can be emotionally intense, it’s also deeply empowering—you’ll experience your own brain’s ability to heal and integrate, often in ways that feel surprisingly organic and lasting.
Is EMDR Right for You?
Do you feel stuck replaying certain moments from your past?
Do strong emotions come up even when you “know” you’re safe?
Do you want to heal deeply but don’t want to recount every detail of what happened?
If so, EMDR may be an excellent fit. Whether we use EMDR on its own or integrate it with ART, IFS, or Sandtray Therapy, we’ll tailor it to your comfort and healing pace.