What is EMDR?

You understand what happened.

So why does it still affect you?

Sometimes insight isn't enough.

You may understand where your anxiety comes from, recognize the patterns you keep repeating, or know that something happened a long time ago- and still find yourself reacting as though it’s happening right now.

EMDR can help you move beyond simply understanding your experiences and begin changing the way they continue to affect you.

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain process distressing experiences, memories, and beliefs that continue to cause emotional distress in the present.

EMDR is well known for treating trauma and PTSD, but you don't need to have experienced one major traumatic event to benefit from it. Painful relationships, rejection, loss, difficult childhood experiences, or other experiences can shape how you see yourself and respond to situations today.

The goal isn't to erase what happened. It's to help the memory feel like something that happened then, rather than something your mind and body are still responding to now.

What can EMDR help with?

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Anxiety and fear

  • Painful or distressing memories

  • Negative beliefs about yourself

  • Self-esteem

  • Relationship and attachment wounds

  • Rejection and abandonment

  • Grief and loss

  • Experiences related to addiction and recovery

What does EMDR actually look like?

EMDR is more structured than traditional talk therapy. We'll first spend time understanding what brings you to therapy, identifying patterns and experiences we may want to target, and making sure you feel prepared before beginning reprocessing.

During EMDR, you'll focus briefly on aspects of an experience while engaging in bilateral stimulation. I provide EMDR virtually using a secure online platform designed to support this process.

You don't have to repeatedly tell every detail of a painful experience, and you don't have to figure out what you're “supposed” to think or feel. I'll guide you through the process while we move at a pace that feels appropriate for you.

Interested in EMDR?

EMDR isn't the right approach for everyone, and you don't need to know whether it's right for you before reaching out.

I offer a complimentary consultation where we can talk about what you're looking for, answer your questions, and determine whether EMDR- or another approach- may be a good fit for your goals.