What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy that helps people heal from the emotional distress connected to traumatic or overwhelming life experiences. Instead of only talking about the past, EMDR helps the brain process memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity, allowing you to feel more balanced and present. It’s often used to treat trauma, anxiety, grief, and other challenges that may feel “stuck” despite your best efforts to move forward.

For more information about EMDR therapy and where I received my training, [click here → EMDRIA]

Who Can Benefit from EMDR?

EMDR can be helpful for anyone who feels held back by painful memories, overwhelming emotions, or patterns that seem hard to change. It is often used to treat trauma, whether from a single event or ongoing experiences, but it can also be effective for anxiety, panic, grief, low self-esteem, and other issues that keep you feeling stuck. Many people find EMDR helpful when traditional talk therapy hasn’t fully resolved the distress connected to certain memories or triggers. It can support healing by helping the brain reprocess experiences so they no longer feel as emotionally charged.

How Does it Work?

EMDR helps the brain reprocess difficult memories so they can be stored in a more balanced and adaptive way. During EMDR, you focus on a specific memory while using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, gentle tapping, or sound tones, which helps both sides of the brain communicate and integrate the experience. This process allows the emotional intensity of the memory to decrease while new, more empowering thoughts and feelings take its place. Over time, people often notice that the memories no longer feel as distressing, and they can think about the past without being overwhelmed by it.

What to Expect?

EMDR begins with a focus on safety and preparation. Before any memory work starts, we’ll spend time building trust, identifying goals, and learning grounding tools to help you feel secure and in control. Once you’re ready, we’ll identify a memory or theme to target and use bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds, to guide your brain through the reprocessing phase. You remain aware and in charge the entire time; EMDR does not involve hypnosis. Sessions may include moments of emotion, reflection, and relief as your brain naturally works through what it needs to heal. Each session moves at your pace, with care and support throughout the process.

What is Standard EMDR?

Traditional EMDR therapy is typically offered in weekly sessions. During these sessions, we work gradually through the eight phases of the EMDR protocol, beginning with history-taking and preparation before moving into the reprocessing of specific memories. The pace is slower and collaborative, allowing time for stabilization, reflection, and integration between sessions. This standard format is ideal for clients who prefer steady, ongoing progress and the ability to process experiences in smaller, more manageable steps. Many people find that this structure provides a sense of consistency and space to build coping skills and resilience as healing unfolds over time.

What are EMDR Intensives?

EMDR Intensives offer a focused and accelerated approach to healing by providing extended sessions over one or more consecutive days. Instead of weekly 60-minute appointments, intensives allow several hours of EMDR work in a single day, helping you make meaningful progress in a shorter period of time. This format can be especially helpful for individuals with busy schedules, those seeking faster relief, or clients wanting to address specific experiences in a contained, immersive way. Each intensive is tailored to your unique needs and includes time for preparation, reprocessing, rest breaks, and integration. Many clients appreciate the depth and continuity of EMDR Intensives, as they allow the brain to stay deeply engaged in the healing process without long gaps between sessions.