EMDR helps release the weight of past experiences so you can feel lighter, more present, and more at peace with yourself.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a gentle yet powerful way of healing from the weight of past experiences. When we go through something painful or overwhelming, those memories don’t always get fully processed. Instead, they can linger beneath the surface—shaping how we see ourselves, the stories we tell inside, and how we move through the world today.

EMDR helps your brain and body finish that healing process. Through guided eye movements or other soothing rhythms, we create space for those old wounds to soften. The pain of the past loses its hold, and the inner narratives that once kept you stuck can shift into ones that feel lighter, kinder, and more true to who you are.

Who Can Benefit From EMDR?

EMDR can be especially helpful if you’ve experienced trauma, struggle with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or find yourself feeling stuck in old patterns tied to past events. It’s effective for a wide range of life experiences—whether it’s a single event like an accident, or longer-term stress such as childhood trauma or loss.

Some common issues include:

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Childhood abuse or neglect

  • Grief and loss

  • Medical trauma

  • Anxiety or panic

  • Attachment wounds

  • Shame and self-worth challenges

  • And more...

Trauma-Informed Care Means:

  • You are always in control
    You decide what to share, what to focus on, and when to pause.

  • Your pace is respected
    There’s no rush. EMDR is flexible and can be adapted to meet your needs and readiness.

  • Your safety—emotional and physical—is the priority
    We’ll build in grounding tools and ways to stay connected to the present.

You Are Not Broken

If you’ve been carrying pain, fear, or shame from the past, please know: it makes sense. Your responses were your body’s way of surviving.

Healing is possible—not because you need to be “fixed,” but because you already hold the capacity to heal. EMDR is one way to gently access that inner wisdom and restore a sense of wholeness.

How EMDR Therapy Works

Sometimes, the brain doesn’t fully process trauma in the moment it happens. That’s not your fault—it’s how the nervous system protects you. But those memories can get “stuck,” bringing up intense emotions, body sensations, or beliefs like “I’m not safe” or “It’s my fault,” even long after the event is over.

EMDR helps the brain safely reprocess those memories, so they no longer feel as distressing or disruptive. You don’t forget what happened—but it no longer feels like it’s happening right now.

Instead of just coping with the symptoms, EMDR supports your brain in doing what it naturally knows how to do: heal. I’ll guide you step-by-step, making sure you feel supported throughout the process. My goal is to help you find relief from the emotional charge of those memories so you can feel more grounded and empowered in your life.

What Happens During EMDR Sessions?

EMDR is structured, but it’s also deeply client-centered. Here’s a general outline of what sessions involve:

  1. Building Safety and Trust
    Healing begins with feeling safe. In the early sessions, we’ll focus on getting to know each other, identifying your strengths, and building tools to help you stay grounded—inside and outside of therapy.

  2. Identifying What You Want to Work On
    When you're ready, we’ll explore the experiences or patterns that feel distressing or stuck. You decide what you want to work on. There’s no pressure to share details unless you want to.

  3. Bilateral Stimulation
    While gently holding a thought, image, or feeling related to the experience, you’ll also engage in bilateral stimulation—this might mean following a light or my fingers with your eyes, or using gentle tapping or sound tones. This back-and-forth movement supports the brain in reprocessing the memory in a more adaptive way.

  4. Letting the Process Unfold
    EMDR isn’t about reliving the trauma—it’s about helping your system release it. As the memory shifts, people often report feeling calmer, clearer, or like the memory has “lost its charge.” We move at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.

Is EMDR Right for Everyone?

EMDR is a powerful tool for healing, but it’s not always the best fit for everyone—at least not right away. A trauma-informed, approach means prioritizing safety, stability, and readiness.

Here are a few situations where EMDR may not be appropriate (or may need to be adapted):

  • Current crisis or unsafe environment
    If you're still in a traumatic situation, we may focus first on safety and support.

  • Difficulty staying grounded
    If you often feel disconnected or dissociate, we may begin with tools to help you feel more present.

  • Unstable medical or mental health concerns
    Conditions like active psychosis, severe substance use, or suicidal thoughts may need more support first.

  • Not feeling ready or comfortable
    EMDR invites you to work with distressing memories. If that feels too much right now, that’s okay—we’ll explore other options.

Is EMDR Right for Me?

If you’re wondering whether EMDR might be a good fit for your healing journey, I’d be happy to explore that with you. Together, we’ll talk through your history and what you’re hoping to work on. I’ll assess whether EMDR is the best fit for your needs and current situation.

Depending on your needs, I may recommend beginning with standard psychotherapy sessions as part of a holistic treatment plan. You can learn more about my integrative approach here: Holistic therapy

You're not expected to know what will work best—we'll figure that out together. Feel free to reach out for a free consultation here: Contact me. I’m here to support you, wherever you are in your process.

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