EMDR Therapy
Cleaning out the wound, so it can finally heal
Just like a physical wound can only heal so much if it isn’t properly cleaned, the painful feelings attached to a memory are like an infection. EMDR is the medicine that clears it out — so you can grow.
What is EMDR?
EMDR Therapy — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — is an intervention used to help individuals heal from symptoms and past traumas. By focusing on an external stimulus such as bilateral eye movements, you’re able to recall painful memories and process them. From there, the negative core beliefs tied to those memories can be replaced with more positive, empowering ones.
EMDR can effectively help with complex traumas such as abuse, neglect, and assault — and much more. The ultimate goal is that you conclude treatment feeling more empowered by the memories that once haunted you.
Bilateral stimulation
Guided eye movements help the brain reprocess what once felt stuck — softening the charge a memory carries.
Does it work? The research says yes.
84–90%
no longer had PTSD after three 90-minute sessions (single-trauma)
100%
of single-trauma survivors PTSD-free after six 50-minute sessions
30+
research studies measuring EMDR’s effectiveness
Over 100,000 clinicians worldwide use EMDR therapy.
Is EMDR right for you?
Four questions to consider
Do you have healthy coping skills?
Being able to emotionally self-regulate is essential for the triggers that may arise between sessions. We’ll build a calm space and grounding techniques in Phase 2 — but it helps to come prepared.
Are you in a safe, stable home with a support system?
Healing from trauma happens when you’re no longer in an unsafe environment. Knowing you have a safe home to return to and reliable people to lean on aids the work.
Can you sit with the discomfort of painful memories?
Part of EMDR is gently stirring up memories we’ve worked hard to avoid. Sitting in that discomfort is challenging — and it’s exactly why grounding skills come first.
Does your schedule allow regular weekly sessions?
EMDR is a comprehensive 8-phase approach. Committing to consistent weekly sessions protects your progress and keeps the process moving.
EMDR can be effective for a wide range of conditions, including:
The treatment
An eight-phase approach across past, present & future
History & planning
We create a treatment plan and identify the memory targets causing emotional distress.
Preparation
You learn grounding techniques and establish a “safe place” to manage distress throughout the process.
Assessment & reprocessing
You choose a positive belief to replace the negative one. Through bilateral stimulation, distress around the memory is reduced toward zero.
Closure
We close with a grounding technique — guided imagery, meditation, or your safe place — and you keep a brief log through the week.
Reevaluation
At the next session we check whether the memory still holds distress, and decide where to go from there.
EMDR can be a great primary intervention — or a powerful addition to talk therapy. We’ll decide together what best fits your needs.
You don’t have to do this alone
Curious whether EMDR could help you?
Reaching out is brave. Even if you have just one question, I’d love to hear from you — let’s see if we’re a good fit.