EMDR Therapy
One of the most powerful and well-researched trauma treatments available — and it works at the level where words alone can't reach.
What Is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence-based therapy developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It is endorsed by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the Department of Veterans Affairs as an effective treatment for PTSD and trauma.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require you to describe your experiences in detail or "talk through" what happened. Instead, it works with the brain's own information-processing system to help traumatic memories be stored in a way that no longer triggers overwhelming distress.
How does bilateral stimulation work? During EMDR, the therapist guides brief sets of eye movements, taps, or tones while you hold a distressing memory in mind. This bilateral stimulation appears to activate the brain's natural processing, similar to what occurs during REM sleep — allowing the brain to "digest" what had been stuck.
What EMDR Can Help With
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD
- Childhood and developmental trauma
- Birth trauma and perinatal PTSD
- Anxiety disorders and panic
- Grief and traumatic loss
- Phobias and fears
- Negative core beliefs ("I am not enough," "I am not safe")
- Performance anxiety
- Relationship wounds from relational trauma
The 8 Phases of EMDR
EMDR follows a structured protocol with eight phases designed to ensure safety and effectiveness. Not all phases occur in every session — the process unfolds at your pace.
History & Treatment Planning
We explore your history together, identify the memories or experiences contributing to your current symptoms, and build a roadmap for treatment.
Preparation
Before we approach any difficult material, I teach you grounding and stabilization techniques so you feel equipped to manage what comes up — in session and between sessions.
Assessment
We identify the specific memory to target, the images, beliefs, body sensations, and emotions associated with it, and establish a baseline for measuring progress.
Desensitization, Installation & Body Scan
The core processing work. Using bilateral stimulation, we reduce the distress associated with the memory, strengthen a positive belief, and check for any residual body tension.
Closure
Each session ends in a state of calm. If processing is incomplete, I guide you back to equilibrium using the stabilization tools from Phase 2.
Reevaluation
We begin each new session by checking on the previous target — ensuring that shifts are holding, and identifying where to go next.
Common Questions About EMDR
Will I have to relive the trauma?
EMDR does not require detailed verbal recounting of what happened. You may hold the memory in mind, but you are never asked to narrate it in full. Many people find EMDR less distressing than they expected — and significantly more effective.
How many sessions will I need?
Single-incident traumas may resolve in as few as three to six sessions. Complex or developmental trauma typically takes longer. We will pace treatment according to your needs, your nervous system, and your goals.
Can EMDR be done via telehealth?
Yes. I offer telehealth EMDR using secure video and alternate bilateral stimulation methods. Research supports the effectiveness of telehealth EMDR delivery.
I am a trained EMDR therapist and member of EMDRIA (EMDR International Association). My training follows the standard protocol established by Dr. Francine Shapiro and upheld by EMDRIA.
Ready to Try Something That Works?
EMDR is gentle, effective, and doesn't require you to talk your way through every detail.