EMDR

CREATING CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE USING EMDR

Everyone faces difficult experiences at some point in life. For many, these moments pass without leaving lasting effects. But for others, overwhelming events can leave emotional “scars” that show up as intrusive thoughts, intense feelings, or painful physical reactions. These symptoms can make daily tasks harder, affect work performance, and strain relationships.

EMDR is widely recognized as one of the most effective therapies for healing trauma and reducing symptoms related to experiences such as PTSD, anxiety, and grief.

Some conditions that I treat with EMDR include:

• post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• childhood trauma / attachment wounds

• anxiety and panic

• phobias

• depression disorders

• obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

• grief

For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than traditional psychotherapy.

WHAT IS EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, evidence-based psychotherapy method designed to help people recover from traumatic experiences, anxiety, chronic stress, and other emotional difficulties.

EMDR works by activating the brain's natural healing abilities, allowing you to process painful memories more effectively and reduce the distress they cause.

This modality combines traditional psychotherapy with somatic experiencing therapy, thus addressing both cognitions and nervous system reactivity.

How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones—to help the brain reprocess "stuck" traumatic or overwhelming experiences. This process supports:

• Reducing the emotional intensity of painful memories

• Shifting negative beliefs about yourself

• Increasing emotional resilience and grounding

• Restoring a sense of safety and balance

EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which suggests that the brain naturally strives to heal and integrate experiences. But when something overwhelming happens, the brain can’t always process it fully. Instead, the memory gets “stuck” and stays unprocessed. When this happens, reminders of the event can continue to trigger strong emotional or physical reactions, even long after the experience is over.

During EMDR, bilateral stimulation helps activate the brain’s natural systems for integrating information. This allows you to revisit a memory while staying grounded in the present, reducing its emotional charge and allowing new, healthier beliefs to emerge. Over time, memories that once felt overwhelming become less distressing and more neutral.

EMDR decouples the content of the traumatic memory from the disturbing emotions, sensations, symptoms, and beliefs associated with the experience.

what to expect in an EMDR session

EMDR sessions are structured and collaborative. We will work together to identify target memories, regulate emotions, and move toward adaptive perspectives. Sessions typically include:

• A grounding and preparation phase

• Identifying beliefs, emotions, and body sensations

• Using bilateral stimulation to process the target memory

• Integrating new, healthier beliefs

EMDR does not require you to retell every detail of the traumatic experience. Instead, you focus on the memory briefly while I guide you through bilateral stimulation. This creates the conditions for the brain to update and integrate the memory in a healthier, more adaptive way.

the logistics involved in emdr therapy

EMDR sessions are 60 to 90 minutes typically delivered one or two times per week for a total of 6 to 12 sessions. The number of sessions required is determined by the complexity of the trauma and your personal reaction to the therapy. Some individuals benefit from fewer sessions and some from more. Together we will assess your progress and decide when your goal is achieved.

ready to begin your healing?

We are a team. You are doing the work to break free of the symptoms of trauma; I am guiding your process and providing you with the skills to handle strong emotions.

I will be with you every step of the way.