EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an extensively researched trauma therapy that uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain process and integrate traumatic memories naturally. This FDA-approved approach reduces the emotional charge of difficult experiences while preserving the factual memory, making it highly effective for PTSD, anxiety, and depression rooted in unprocessed trauma.
Virtual Sessions available | No insurance accepted | sliding scale options
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR allows the brain to process and release traumatic memories naturally through bilateral stimulation while recalling difficult experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR works directly with how traumatic memories are stored in the nervous system, helping them move from a state of emotional activation to integrated resolution.
During EMDR sessions, I guide you through recalling specific memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, typically through guided eye movements. This dual attention allows your brain's natural processing mechanisms to work on the traumatic material, reducing its emotional intensity and transforming how you relate to these experiences.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR works by activating the brain's natural information processing system while maintaining dual attention on traumatic memories. The bilateral stimulation appears to facilitate communication between the brain's hemispheres, allowing stuck traumatic material to process and integrate naturally.
This approach mimics what happens during REM sleep, when the brain naturally processes daily experiences. EMDR creates a similar neurological state while awake, enabling traumatic memories to be reprocessed and filed appropriately in memory networks.
The result is that traumatic memories lose their emotional charge while retaining factual information, allowing you to remember what happened without being overwhelmed by the associated emotions.
Who Benefits from EMDR Therapy?
Individuals with PTSD and Trauma Symptoms
EMDR is recognized by the American Psychological Association and World Health Organization as a first-line treatment for PTSD. Whether trauma stems from single incidents or repeated experiences, EMDR can help reduce flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and other trauma symptoms.
People with Anxiety Rooted in Past Experiences
When anxiety connects to specific memories or experiences, EMDR can target these root causes directly. This creates lasting relief by addressing the source rather than just managing symptoms, particularly effective for phobias, panic attacks, and generalized anxiety with identifiable triggers.
Those Experiencing Depression from Unresolved Losses
Depression often involves unprocessed grief, attachment wounds, or traumatic losses. EMDR can help work through these experiences, allowing natural grieving processes to complete and emotional energy to flow more freely.
Adults Addressing Childhood Trauma
EMDR is particularly effective for processing childhood experiences that continue impacting adult life. Whether involving abuse, neglect, attachment disruption, or family dysfunction, EMDR can help adult survivors find resolution and reclaim their authentic selves.
How Does EMDR Work in Virtual Therapy Sessions?
EMDR adapts effectively to telehealth sessions using various forms of bilateral stimulation that work through video platforms. While traditional in-person EMDR uses finger movements across the visual field, virtual EMDR employs techniques specifically designed for online delivery.
Virtual EMDR Bilateral Stimulation Methods
During virtual sessions, I guide bilateral stimulation through on-screen movements you follow with your eyes, self-administered bilateral tapping techniques, or audio bilateral stimulation through headphones. These methods activate the same neurological processes as in-person EMDR.
Technology Requirements for Virtual EMDR
You'll need a stable internet connection, a device with a good-sized screen, and headphones for optimal bilateral audio stimulation. I'll provide specific guidance on positioning and setup to ensure effective processing can occur.
Benefits of Virtual EMDR
Many clients find virtual EMDR particularly beneficial because they're processing traumatic material in their own safe environment. This can enhance the sense of safety and control that supports deeper processing and integration.
What Should I Expect in an EMDR Session?
Preparation and Stabilization Phase
We begin EMDR work by ensuring you have adequate coping resources and emotional stability. This includes developing grounding techniques, safe place visualizations, and other resources that support you through processing difficult material.
Target Identification and Assessment
Together, we identify specific memories or experiences to process, rating their current emotional intensity and identifying associated negative beliefs about yourself. This assessment helps track progress as we work through the material.
Processing Phase with Bilateral Stimulation
During active processing, you'll focus on the target memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation. I guide you through noticing whatever emerges - emotions, sensations, images, or thoughts - without judgment, allowing your brain's natural healing mechanisms to work.
Integration and Future Template
EMDR sessions conclude with integration time and often include developing positive future templates, helping you envision how you'll respond differently to similar situations moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR
How is EMDR different from traditional talk therapy?
EMDR works directly with how traumatic memories are stored in the brain rather than relying primarily on verbal processing. While talk therapy focuses on understanding and discussing experiences, EMDR facilitates actual neurological reprocessing of traumatic material, often creating change without extensive verbal analysis.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
EMDR treatment length varies significantly based on trauma complexity and individual factors. Some clients experience substantial relief from specific traumas in 6-12 sessions, while complex trauma may require longer-term work. Single-incident traumas often process more quickly than developmental or repeated trauma.
Will EMDR make me forget my traumatic experiences?
No, EMDR doesn't erase memories. Instead, it helps traumatic memories become less emotionally charged and intrusive. You'll still remember what happened, but the memory won't trigger the same level of emotional distress, allowing you to recall events without being overwhelmed.
Is EMDR safe for complex trauma and dissociation?
EMDR can be highly effective for complex trauma when implemented with appropriate preparation and stabilization. For clients with dissociative tendencies, we spend additional time developing grounding skills and internal communication before beginning trauma processing to ensure safety throughout the work.
What if I don't feel comfortable with eye movements?
EMDR can use various forms of bilateral stimulation beyond eye movements, including bilateral tapping, audio tones, or tactile stimulation. We'll find the method that feels most comfortable and effective for your unique nervous system and processing style.
How does EMDR help with depression and anxiety?
When depression and anxiety stem from unprocessed traumatic experiences, EMDR can address these root causes directly. By processing underlying trauma, many clients find their depression and anxiety symptoms naturally diminish as the nervous system regulates and emotional energy flows more freely.
EMDR Therapy Research and Evidence Base
EMDR is one of the most researched trauma therapies, with over 30 randomized controlled trials supporting its effectiveness. The therapy is recognized by major health organizations including the American Psychological Association, World Health Organization, and Department of Veterans Affairs as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD.
Research demonstrates that EMDR is as effective as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and often works more rapidly. Studies show significant improvement in PTSD symptoms, with many clients no longer meeting diagnostic criteria after treatment completion.
Ready to Begin EMDR Therapy?
If you're ready to address traumatic experiences that continue impacting your daily life, EMDR offers a proven pathway to healing. This approach is particularly effective when specific memories or experiences feel "stuck" and continue creating emotional distress despite other therapeutic efforts.
I offer virtual EMDR sessions with comprehensive preparation and support throughout your healing journey. A sliding scale is available for those experiencing financial hardship, and a no-obligation consultation can help determine if EMDR aligns with your therapeutic goals.