EMDR THERAPY
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a game-changing therapy that helps you move through trauma, anxiety, and other heavy experiences. Imagine your mind as a cluttered room—EMDR helps you clear out the emotional baggage and make room for new, healthier thoughts and feelings.
Here’s how it works
During an EMDR session, your therapist will gently guide you through revisiting painful memories while using techniques like eye movements or tapping. This helps your brain reprocess the memory in a way that feels less overwhelming—kind of like how your mind naturally processes experiences during REM sleep.
It’s not about erasing the memory. It’s about making it feel less heavy, less charged, and more manageable.
EMDR follows a structured 8-phase approach, and we’ll walk you through each step at your pace—with lots of support along the way.
THE GOALS:
To Reduce the “Emotional Charge” of Distressing Memories
EMDR helps take the intensity out of painful or traumatic memories so they no longer feel overwhelming or intrusiveShift Negative Beliefs About Yourself
Through reprocessing, EMDR helps replace stuck, self-limiting beliefs (like “I’m not enough” or “It was my fault”) with more adaptive, empowering ones (like “I did the best I could” or “I’m in control now”).Help Your Body Feel Safe Again
EMDR isn’t just cognitive—it supports emotional and somatic (aka body-centered) healing. The goal is to help your nervous system feel calmer and more regulated in the present, even when something triggering comes up.
EMDR vs. Talk Therapy: What’s the Difference?
Both talk therapy and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) are powerful tools, but they work in very different ways. If you’re looking to clear up stuck emotions, trauma, or anxiety, EMDR might be a faster track for you.
Talk Therapy
The classic approach—talking through your emotions, past experiences, and current challenges with a therapist. It helps you build self-awareness, manage emotions, and make better choices over time.
Best for: Relationship issues, anxiety, self-discovery, ongoing support
Process: Weekly 45-minute sessions
Timeframe: Gradual progress over time
EMDR
EMDR focuses on reprocessing memories and emotions that continue to trigger you. It’s not just talking things out—it uses specific techniques to "re-wire" the brain, making the memories less painful.
Best for: Trauma, anxiety, self-doubt, phobias, limiting beliefs
Process: Focuses on reprocessing emotional blocks
Timeframe: Likely quicker results compared to talk therapy
Which Should You Choose?
If you want to understand yourself, work through emotions, and develop long-term coping skills, talk therapy is great. However, if you’re feeling stuck by trauma, anxiety, or painful memories, EMDR can offer quicker relief.
Is EMDR + Talk Therapy An Option?
Sometimes, the best approach is a combination of both. If you’re already seeing a therapist and love the work you’re doing with them but need additional support for trauma, anxiety, or emotional blocks, adjunctive EMDR can be a perfect complement. We’ll work together to determine what combination is right for you.
EMDR Intensives: Fast-Track Your Healing
This focused, immersive approach condenses months of therapy into just a few days, helping you get faster relief from trauma, anxiety, and relationship struggles.
Is an EMDR Intensive Right for You?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or emotionally drained, an EMDR intensive might be the reset you need to move forward with clarity. EMDR intensives are perfect for:
Processing past trauma quickly
Overcoming anxiety, self-doubt, or fear holding you back
Healing from a recent traumatic event
Dealing with triggering relationships
Breaking through patterns tied to past experiences
An EMDR intensive is for anyone who wants deeper progress in a shorter time.
