EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-researched, evidence-based approach developed in the early 1990s to help people heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences. Just as the body knows how to heal from physical wounds, the mind also has the capacity to recover from psychological trauma—sometimes it just needs the right support.

EMDR works by activating the brain’s natural information processing system to help reprocess painful memories, beliefs, or experiences so that they no longer carry the same emotional charge. This is done using bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements or alternating taps—while focusing on the distressing material.

Studies have shown that EMDR can help people move through issues that may have kept them stuck for years in traditional talk therapy, sometimes in just a handful of sessions. It has been especially effective in reducing or resolving symptoms of PTSD, and is used to treat both single-incident traumas and complex trauma involving repeated or hard-to-pinpoint experiences.

Helpful Facts About EMDR

  • It’s evidence-based.

    EMDR is backed by decades of research and is recognized by organizations like the APA, VA, and WHO as an effective treatment for PTSD and trauma-related conditions.

  • You don’t have to talk in detail about the trauma.

    Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses more on how the memory is stored in your brain than on retelling the story out loud. This can make it feel less re-traumatizing.

  • It uses bilateral stimulation.

    During EMDR, you’ll engage in bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements, tapping, or sounds alternating from left to right) while focusing on a distressing memory. This process helps the brain reprocess the experience in a more adaptive way.

  • It’s not just for PTSD.

    EMDR is also effective for anxiety, phobias, grief, depression, attachment wounds, chronic shame, and more—especially when those experiences are rooted in earlier unresolved trauma or adverse experiences.

  • It can work quickly.

    Some clients report significant relief in just a few sessions, especially with single-incident traumas. More complex or longstanding issues may take longer, but EMDR can often accelerate progress.

  • You stay in control.

    EMDR is a structured, collaborative process. You’ll never be pushed into something you’re not ready for, and your therapist will help you build safety and coping tools first.

  • It taps into your brain’s natural healing.

    EMDR doesn’t “erase” memories—it helps your brain make sense of them so they no longer feel so intense, stuck, or triggering.

  • Preparation is key.

    Before starting EMDR reprocessing, your therapist will help you build a strong foundation of resources, coping skills, and internal safety. This makes the deeper work more effective and sustainable.

  • It’s adaptable.

    EMDR can be used with adults, teens, and even children. It also works well in virtual (Telehealth) settings, with creative adjustments to the bilateral stimulation method.

  • You don’t have to “believe in it” for it to work.

    Even if it sounds strange at first, EMDR works through how your brain processes information—not just your conscious beliefs. Many people are surprised by how effective it is.