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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)

A structured trauma therapy that helps the brain reprocess stuck memories without re-traumatizing you.

Overview

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help the nervous system process memories that got 'frozen' at the time of an event. It's endorsed by the WHO and APA for PTSD.

We move at your pace — extensive stabilization and resourcing come first. Reprocessing only begins when you feel ready.

Who it helps

  • Survivors of single-event or complex trauma
  • First responders and healthcare workers
  • Adults whose past keeps interrupting the present

What a session looks like

  1. 1History and treatment planning in early sessions
  2. 2Resourcing and grounding before any processing
  3. 3Structured 8-phase protocol with careful pacing

Often used for

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How does EMDR actually work?
The short honest answer: researchers have theories, but the exact mechanism isn't fully settled. What we do know is that using bilateral stimulation — eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones — while holding a distressing memory in mind seems to help the brain reprocess the memory so it stops feeling stuck in the present. Decades of research show it works for PTSD; it's now endorsed by the WHO, APA, and Department of Veterans Affairs as a first-line trauma treatment.
Do I have to talk about the trauma in detail during EMDR?
Much less than in traditional talk therapy. You hold the memory in mind and notice what comes up, but you don't have to narrate it out loud in detail. For many clients this is one of EMDR's biggest advantages — you can process material without having to relive it verbally. Your therapist checks in periodically about what's shifting, but the deep processing is happening internally.
Is EMDR safe? I've heard it can be intense.
EMDR is safe when done by a properly trained clinician who paces the work well. There's an eight-phase protocol for a reason — the first several phases are all about stabilization, resourcing, and preparation before any active processing begins. If you don't have the internal resources yet, we build them first. Intensity is normal at moments; overwhelm is not the goal, and we adjust when your system needs a pause.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
For a single-incident trauma with an otherwise stable adult, active reprocessing can sometimes complete in 6–12 sessions (after initial history and preparation phases). Complex or developmental trauma usually takes much longer — often a year or more of consistent work. We don't rush; the eight-phase protocol is followed carefully, and you set the pace.
Can EMDR help with things other than PTSD?
Yes. While EMDR was developed for PTSD, it's now used for anxiety, phobias, grief, performance anxiety, chronic pain, and any experience where a specific memory or set of memories seems to be driving present-day symptoms. If something 'small' from your past is still shaping your present, EMDR is often a good tool.

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