EMDR

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EMDR Therapy: A Path to Healing

If past experiences are affecting your daily life, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can help you find relief. EMDR is a research-backed therapy that helps your brain process distressing memories, reducing the emotional and physical intensity they hold. Instead of talking through trauma in detail, EMDR uses guided eye movements and other techniques to reprocess memories in a way that brings healing and resilience.

On this page, you’ll learn more about what EMDR is, what to expect in a session, and how it can help you regain a sense of peace and control in your life. We’ll also provide guidance on determining if EMDR is right for you and introduce you to our dedicated EMDR therapists. Healing is possible, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

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What is EMDR?

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a well-researched approach for addressing trauma. Essentially, EMDR helps people quickly deal with past traumatic experiences. It works by aiding the brain and body in understanding that the traumatic event is over, and it helps lessen the intensity of the negative thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations tied to that event.

What to Expect

EMDR involves focusing on a specific memory while following guided eye movements. This process helps the brain reprocess distressing experiences, shifting emotions like fear or shame into empowerment and resilience. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR works by allowing your brain to naturally heal and make new connections.

Sessions vary based on individual needs—some may see results in a few sessions, while complex trauma may take longer. It’s important to go at a comfortable pace to ensure lasting benefits.

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EMDR can help to…

  • Reduce PTSD Symptoms

  • Decrease Anxiety & Stress

  • Improve Emotion Regulation

  • Speed up Trauma Processing

  • Reduce Negative Thought Patterns

  • Enhance Self-Awareness & Resilience

Am I Ready for EMDR?

Each person’s readiness for EMDR processing is unique to them. Use this handy list, along with your therapist’s assessment, to determine your readiness for EMDR processing.

  • Trust is essential since clients often find themselves in a very vulnerable state when processing trauma memories.

  • Can you practice patience with this process, knowing it is not a “quick-fix" to trauma resolution?

  • Can you identify 3-5 healthy self-regulation strategies that work effectively for you? It is important to be confident in your ability to regulate your body, e.g. through your breath or other somatic interventions.

  • If you are able to effectively use the resourcing exercises after having practiced them in your therapist’s office, this is a good sign. Before any reprocessing of trauma, you should: Feel stable; Have access to an external support system; Have a decent sense of self and identity; and be able to safely tolerate intense, unpleasant emotions.

  • Can you keep one foot in the present and one foot in the past when thinking about a recent mildly disturbing incident? Are you able to go back and forth between focusing on this incident and then returning your attention to the safety of the present? If you can’t, you might not be ready to process.

  • Clients who are dependent on substances for safety or self-regulation should address this in therapy prior to starting trauma processing.

  • Clients who dissociate are at a higher risk of decompensation, but dissociation alone is not a contraindication for EMDR processing. What’s important is the client’s awareness of the dissociative process and their ability to bring themselves back to the present.

  • Clients who are experiencing substantial crises may not be able to simultaneously process disturbing material. Hopefully, by the time the crisis is over, you will be ready to start processing.

  • When clients express suicidal or homicidal ideation, EMDR work is not indicated until the crisis is stabilized.

  • Active legal involvement does not always prevent clients from starting processing, but it should be taken into consideration.

  • Some health conditions may be worsened by EMDR processing (e.g., heart and blood pressure concerns as well as certain neurological issues). It is important to consult with your medical providers to ensure you are medically cleared for EMDR treatment.

  • Some nervousness is normal when starting EMDR. However, it is important to not push to start processing. Focus first on understanding your fears or reasons to push EMDR to get started through education or more skills building.

Meet our EMDR Therapists.

Our EMDR therapists are compassionate, highly trained professionals dedicated to helping you heal from trauma and emotional distress. They use a values-based approach to create a safe, supportive space where you can process the past and move forward with confidence.

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