Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is an evidence-based approach that supports the brain in processing and integrating distressing experiences so they no longer hold the same charge in the present.

Rooted in the body’s innate ability to heal, EMDR can be especially helpful for those navigating trauma, anxiety, or painful memories—offering a way forward without needing to revisit every detail of the past.

The 8 Phases of EMDR

EMDR follows a structured process designed to keep things safe and effective:

History + Treatment Planning – We explore what brings you to therapy and identify the core themes or memories we’ll work with.
Preparation – We build trust, develop coping skills, and strengthen your internal resources before diving into any deeper work.
Assessment – Together, we select a target memory and track the thoughts, feelings, sensations, and beliefs attached to it.
Desensitization – This is where bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, etc.) is introduced to help your brain reprocess the memory.
Installation – We strengthen new, more adaptive beliefs (e.g., “I’m safe now” or “It wasn’t my fault”).
Body Scan – We tune into the body and notice if any tension or residual distress remains.
Closure – Each session ends with grounding, so you leave feeling settled and supported.
Reevaluation – We track your progress and adjust treatment based on how you’re feeling over time.

How Trauma Lives in the Body

When we go through something overwhelming—whether it’s a single event or ongoing stress—the brain and body don’t always get the chance to fully process it. These unprocessed memories can become “stuck,” stored in the nervous system in ways that continue to affect how we think, feel, and respond in the present. This might show up as anxiety, emotional reactivity, physical symptoms, or negative beliefs.

EMDR offers a structured and research-backed way to access and reprocess those memories. The goal isn’t to erase the past, but to help the brain recognize that the threat is no longer happening—so you can move forward with more ease and resilience.

What Does EMDR Actually Involve?

In an EMDR session, we’ll focus on specific memories, beliefs, or sensations while engaging in bilateral stimulation—usually through eye movements or gentle tapping. This process helps activate the brain’s natural ability to reprocess experiences, allowing distressing material to be integrated in a more adaptive and less emotionally charged way.

Here’s what to expect:

You are in control at all times.
EMDR is not hypnosis—you’ll be awake and aware throughout, and I’ll check in regularly to make sure you feel safe and grounded.
We move at your pace.
No memory or experience is ever accessed without first building resources and coping tools.

Your brain does the healing.
EMDR isn’t about forcing anything—it’s about creating the right conditions for your own inner healing intelligence to do its work.

How EMDR Can Help

Over time, EMDR can ease symptoms of:

PTSD and trauma
Anxiety and panic
Depression and low self-worth
Body-based trauma responses (e.g., chronic pain, tightness, shutdown)
Grief and loss
Stress from childhood or attachment wounds

You may notice that what once felt overwhelming starts to feel distant or less emotionally charged, and find yourself responding differently to situations that used to trigger you, and feeling more like yourself again.

This process can be especially powerful for folks who feel stuck in traditional talk therapy or want a gentler, less verbally-focused way to approach deep work.

Let’s Talk About It

I’m here to answer any and all questions. If you’re curious about how EMDR might support your healing, let’s talk. I offer free 20-minute consults so we can explore whether this feels like the right fit.