EMDR therapy for memories that still feel close
EMDR works on how a painful memory is stored in the brain, not only how you think about it. It’s one of the most researched treatments for trauma, and it often works faster than talk therapy alone.
- Sessions50 minutes
- Typical lengthA few sessions to several months
- WhereDenver, Boulder & online
- Trained cliniciansBecca, Mark & Kelsey
When a memory still acts like it’s happening
Some memories never get filed away. They keep setting off your nervous system as if the event were still going on.
Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) uses bilateral stimulation, usually guided eye movements, to help the brain reprocess memories that have become stuck. The memory stays, but it loses its charge.
You don’t have to talk through everything in detail. EMDR works with how the memory is stored, and that’s often enough to change a lot.
Eight phases, at a pace you can handle
EMDR follows a structured path. We build a stable foundation before any processing begins, and you can pause at any time.
Getting ready
Nothing gets processed until you feel steady. For some people this takes a session or two; for others, longer.
- 1
History
We learn your story and decide together what to work on first.
- 2
Preparation
You learn grounding and calming skills you can use in session and at home.
- 3
Assessment
We choose a target memory, the image that goes with it, and the belief it left behind.
Reprocessing
This is the part people think of as EMDR. Most clients describe it as surprisingly calm.
- 4
Desensitization
You hold the memory in mind during bilateral stimulation while its charge fades.
- 5
Installation
We strengthen a truer belief, such as “I’m safe now” or “It wasn’t my fault.”
- 6
Body scan
We check for tension the memory has left in the body and clear what remains.
Closing the loop
Every session ends with you settled, and each new session starts by checking what shifted.
- 7
Closure
We bring you back to calm before you leave, even if the work isn’t finished.
- 8
Reevaluation
Next time, we look at what changed and decide what to work on next.
What people come to EMDR for
- PTSD and complex trauma, including childhood, medical, military, and sexual trauma
- Anxiety and panic, especially when tied to specific memories or images
- Depression rooted in past experiences or core beliefs formed early
- Grief that has become stuck or complicated
- Phobias that have organized your life around avoidance
- Negative beliefs like “I’m not good enough” or “It was my fault”
Some clients work through a single traumatic memory in as few as three to five sessions.
Complex trauma usually takes longer, and we’ll give you an honest read after the first few sessionsIs EMDR right for you?
EMDR tends to work well when there’s something specific that still has a hold on you: a memory you can’t think about without your body reacting, a belief about yourself that formed at a hard time, or a fear that seems bigger than it should be. It’s also used for complex and childhood trauma, where the work usually takes longer and starts with more preparation.
It may not be the right first step if you’re in a crisis, very newly sober, or don’t yet have ways to calm yourself when things get intense. In that case we’ll focus on stability first, sometimes with the Safe and Sound Protocol or other trauma work, and come back to EMDR when you’re ready. Our post on how to know if you’re ready for EMDR goes into more detail.
EMDR in Denver, Boulder and online
Becca sees EMDR clients in person in Denver, Kelsey in Boulder and Denver, and Mark online. EMDR by video works well: we use a remote bilateral stimulation tool that gives you the same guided eye movements you’d have in the office, and research on online EMDR has been encouraging.
Sessions are 50 minutes and run $175 to $200 depending on the therapist. Some people use longer or more frequent sessions during the reprocessing phase. We’re out of network and provide superbills. Start with a free 15-minute consultation to talk through what you’d like to work on.
“When the roots go deeper, EMDR can help resolve old experiences and the beliefs that formed around them.”
Mark Whitney, LPC, ACS · Read his bio →
Common questions about EMDR
It varies considerably. Some clients process a single traumatic event in as few as 3 to 5 sessions. Complex or developmental trauma typically takes longer. We'll have a clearer picture after the initial assessment.
Yes. EMDR via telehealth is effective and well-researched. We use a remote bilateral stimulation app that provides the same eye movements you'd experience in person.
No. EMDR doesn't require you to describe events in graphic detail. You hold the memory in mind during bilateral stimulation, and the processing happens without narrating everything that happened.
Both are brain-body trauma therapies that work beyond talk. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation like eye movements, while Brainspotting uses a fixed gaze point to access deeper brain regions. We don’t offer Brainspotting at Full Bloom right now. If EMDR doesn’t feel like the right fit, we can talk through other body-based options, like somatic work or the Safe and Sound Protocol.
Who to see for this
Ready to try something different?
Becca, Mark, and Kelsey are all EMDR-trained. A free consultation is the easiest way to find out whether EMDR fits.
Schedule a Free Consultation