EMDR, also known as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, is a therapy style designed to help you process traumatic memories through a series of specific eye movements. It is a collaborative form of therapy that helps individuals feel better about aspects rooted in their past, present and future. 

EMDR isn’t about reliving your past or recounting every detail. Instead, it focuses on reducing the emotional intensity surrounding your experience. It helps your brain reprocess memories that have become “stuck” and store them more effectively. 

The EMDR process involves briefly focusing on a distressing memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, which typically involves guided eye movements or other left–to-right stimulation. With this practice, people tend to notice that memories feel less overwhelming and can recall the experience without the same emotional intensity. 

I’ve said this before, but trauma does not play out the same way for everyone. Some people experience acute symptoms immediately, while others may not feel the impact for months or even years. 

EMDR therapy may be for you if you are experiencing: 

• Single-event trauma

• Complex trauma

• Childhood trauma

• Grief and loss trauma

• Anxiety-related trauma

• Distressing memories 

• Shame or guilt

• Negative self-beliefs 

As a therapist who practices EMDR, one concern I hear often is that you are expected to relive your experiences in vivid detail. 

But that’s not the goal. 

EMDR is not meant to make you relive the past. It’s there to help you process difficult memories in a safe way. And it doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a gradual process that doesn’t start by putting you in the deep end. It actually starts with building trust, identifying your specific goals and working through development strategies that will help you feel more grounded. 

When you’re ready to start the process, I’ll work with you to comb through experiences and memories that affect your day-to-day. We’ll use bilateral stimulation techniques to help you reprocess these experiences so they feel less significant. 

And the nice thing is that no matter what, each session is guided by your pace. 

EMDR is not a therapy that I would recommend for everyone, nor is it right for every situation. 

I find that some of my clients start with talk therapy to build a foundation of trust between us. This allows us to practice coping skills and emotional regulation techniques before diving into EMDR. We may also use other somatic approaches or therapeutic techniques. 

Working with me means that you are not limited to one therapy style. We do what works for you at your pace so you can feel confident that our approach meets your needs, your comfort levels, and your readiness to journey forward on your path of healing.