EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) works with the way traumatic memories are stored in the brain — not just the thoughts around them. It's one of the most well-researched treatments for PTSD available, and its effects are often faster and more durable than traditional talk therapy alone.
What Is EMDR?
Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — typically guided eye movements — to help the brain reprocess memories that have become stuck. When trauma memories are improperly stored, they keep activating the nervous system as if the event is still happening. EMDR helps the brain file them correctly, so they lose their charge.
EMDR is recognized by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a frontline treatment for PTSD.
What EMDR Can Help With
PTSD and complex traumaIncluding military, childhood, sexual assault, and medical trauma — at any point in life
Anxiety and panicParticularly when the anxiety is connected to specific memories, images, or experiences
DepressionWhen depression is rooted in past experiences or core negative beliefs formed in response to early events
Grief and lossWhen grief has become stuck or complicated and isn't moving on its own
Phobias and fearsSpecific fears that have organized your behavior around avoidance
Negative self-beliefsCore beliefs like 'I'm not good enough' or 'It was my fault' that formed in response to old experiences
EMDR doesn't require you to talk through everything in detail. It works with how the memory is stored — and that's often enough to change everything.
What to Expect in an EMDR Session
EMDR happens in phases. Your therapist will first build a stable foundation — teaching you resourcing and grounding techniques — before moving into trauma processing. When you're ready, you'll hold a target memory in mind while following bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or tones). Most clients describe it as surprisingly calm and find that distressing memories lose their charge more quickly than they expected.
Common Questions
It varies considerably. Some clients process a single traumatic event in as few as 3–5 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 — the processing happens without narrating everything that happened.
Both are brain-body trauma therapies that work beyond talk. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements); Brainspotting uses a fixed gaze point to access deeper brain regions. Some clients respond better to one than the other — we can discuss what might be a better fit for you.
Ready to Try Something That Works Differently?
EMDR is one of the most effective trauma treatments available. Let's talk about whether it's the right fit for what you're dealing with.
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