What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of treatment that is designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. It utilizes bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or tapping, to help your brain reprocess distressing memories, reducing their emotional intensity and impact on your daily life.

When we experience trauma, our brains sometimes struggle to fully process the event, leaving distressing memories “stuck” in our nervous system. These memories can continue to trigger emotional and physical responses long after the event has passed.

EMDR helps “unstick” these memories by allowing your brain to reprocess them in a safe and controlled environment. During a session, you will briefly recall distressing memories while engaging in eye movements or other bilateral stimulation. Over time, these memories become less overwhelming, and you can begin to move forward without the same emotional distress.

What Can EMDR Help With?

PTSD & Trauma

Sexual Assault

Domestic Violence

Eating Disorders

Anxiety/Panic Attacks

Depression

Self-Esteem Issues

 FAQs about EMDR

  • EMDR is considered safe and has very low risks. Like all forms of trauma work, it can bring up strong emotions and/or memories, which can make some people feel triggered in between sessions.

    One of the first phases of EMDR focuses on preparation. We’ll work together to build a strong foundation with coping strategies, grounding techniques, and resources to help you feel supported both during and in between sessions.

  • EMDR is an individualized treatment, hence the number of EMDR sessions varies from person to person. Some people may process a single traumatic memory in just a few sessions, while others may need more time, especially if there are multiple experiences or complex trauma involved.

    EMDR isn’t about rushing. It’s about moving at a pace that feels safe and effective for you.

  • Typically, EMDR is scheduled on a weekly basis. However, the pace of therapy is adjusted to fit your unique process. Some weeks you might need extra time to process what came up in previous sessions, and that’s perfectly okay. We’ll work together to determine a schedule that ensures you feel safe throughout the process.

  • It’s completely normal not to have clear or complete memories of a traumatic event. Trauma can sometimes be stored as fragmented memories, physical sensations, or emotional responses rather than a full narrative. EMDR is designed to work with both explicit memories and the implicit, body-stored aspects of trauma. This means we can address and process the distress you’re experiencing, even if the details of the trauma aren’t fully accessible.

  • According to the VA, “A large number of studies demonstrate it is effective to treat PTSD when administered over approximately 3 months. EMDR has the strongest recommendation for being an effective treatment in most clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of PTSD.”