What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy was developed to help people process and reduce distress related to traumatic memories and experiences, such as post-traumatic stress. It’s recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD by organizations like the American Psychiatric Association, World Health Organization, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense.

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What Makes EMDR Therapy Different?

Compared to other treatments for post-traumatic stress, EMDR therapy has some key advantages:

• No need for detailed descriptions of the event(s) – We focus on the headlines rather than going into all the details.

• No direct cognitive challenging – Instead of fighting unhelpful thoughts and beliefs head-on, we process them in a more indirect (but still powerful) way.

• No extended exposure exercises – The processing happens in bite-sized pieces, making it more tolerable while keeping you grounded in the present.

• No homework – While we may discuss goals or things to focus on between sessions, there are no assigned worksheets or exposure tasks.

How Does EMDR Work?

Eye Movement refers to bilateral stimulation—activating both sides of the brain and body. This can happen through:

• Tracking movement on a light bar (in person)

• Watching movement on a screen (telehealth – remotEMDR)

• Tapping (in person or telehealth)

• Holding tappers (in person)

• Listening to alternating sounds (in person or telehealth)

Desensitization happens as the brain processes the disturbing aspects of events—whether that’s thoughts, emotions, sensations, or associations.

Reprocessing allows unprocessed distress to move through the brain, mind, and body, leading to recovery and healing.

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What Do We Work On?

We address the trifecta of:
✔️ Past triggers/events
✔️ Present triggers/events
✔️ Future triggers/events

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I’ll teach you the tools you’ll need, and we’ll go through the reprocessing journey together. By the end of treatment, you can expect to leave the past behind, cope better with the present, and feel more prepared for the future. Many people notice new insights and a significant reduction in distress.

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How EMDR Fits into Other Treatments

EMDR therapy can be a standalone treatment or combined with other approaches, including:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• OCD treatment

• Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR)

• Ego State Therapy (EST)

• And more

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We can do EMDR therapy via telehealth or in person.

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Screening for Dissociation

For all clients interested in EMDR therapy, I screen and/or assess for dissociative symptoms or dissociative disorders. Based on what we learn, we might:

• Spend more time building resources before starting EMDR

• Use Ego State Therapy to work with different parts of self

• Incorporate Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) to process trauma in a gentler way

My EMDR Background

I’m trained in EMDR therapy and have completed the consultation sessions for EMDR certification. I haven’t applied for certification yet—and I may not—because I’ve been integrating Deep Brain Reorienting, Ego State Therapy, and Clinical Hypnosis into my trauma work.

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Resources

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Introduction to EMDR Therapy - video from EMDR International Association

About EMDR Therapy - EMDR International Association

Experiencing EMDR Therapy - EMDR International Association

EMDR brochure - from EMDR Consulting (the organization I trained with)

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If you’re interested in working with me, feel free to check my availability.