EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy approach that helps the brain and nervous system process and integrate distressing experiences. When difficult events are not fully processed, the body may continue to react as if the danger is still present — emotionally, physically, and neurologically.
EMDR helps reset these responses so memories feel less overwhelming and your mind and body can respond in healthier, more adaptive ways.
Rather than focusing only on talking through experiences, EMDR works directly with how memories are stored in the brain and nervous system.
How Trauma and Stress Affect the Body
When overwhelming experiences occur, the nervous system shifts into survival responses such as fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. If the experience is not fully processed, those reactions can remain active long after the event is over.
You might notice:
Feeling constantly on alert or easily triggered
Persistent anxiety, sadness, anger, or shame
Intrusive thoughts or emotional overwhelm
Difficulty feeling safe or regulated
Physical symptoms such as headaches, inflammation, digestive concerns, fatigue, or chronic stress responses
These are not signs of weakness — they are signs that the nervous system is still trying to protect you.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess these stored experiences so the body no longer reacts as if the past is happening in the present.
Simple Practices to Support Your Nervous System
If you are living with trauma, your nervous system may spend long periods in fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown. These gentle practices can help signal safety to the body and support regulation between sessions.
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Breathing deeply from the belly (instead of shallow breathing from the chest) can help calm the nervous system.
Try this:
• Inhale for 4
• Hold for 4
• Exhale for 6 or 8
Repeat for several minutes. -
The vagus nerve connects to the vocal cords. Gentle humming can stimulate relaxation.
Try humming a favorite song, or softly repeating “OM” for a few minutes.
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Splashing cool water on your face or holding a cool cloth to your cheeks can activate a calming reflex in the body.
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Especially loving-kindness meditations, which focus on cultivating goodwill toward yourself and others. These practices can gently shift the nervous system toward safety and connection.
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Gargling water can lightly stimulate the vagus nerve and support nervous system tone.
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Gently close one nostril and breathe slowly through the other for several breaths, then switch sides. This can help balance activation in the nervous system.
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Slowly tense and release different muscle groups, moving from your feet upward. This helps the body recognize the difference between tension and release.
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Eating something sour can activate digestion and gently interrupt a panic response by shifting the body out of fight-or-flight mode.
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A balanced gut microbiome plays a role in mood and nervous system regulation. Eating regularly, staying hydrated, and including fiber-rich and fermented foods can support this connection.
How EMDR Works
EMDR therapy focuses on three core areas that guide the healing process:
Present Distress
We begin by identifying what is currently causing emotional or physical discomfort — including anxiety, PTSD symptoms, chronic stress responses, performance concerns, or patterns that feel stuck.
Target Memory
Together, we identify the experiences connected to your current distress. Some people already know the root of their struggles; others discover these connections gradually through the therapy process.
Future Responses
As healing progresses, we strengthen new ways of responding — helping your mind and body react with greater regulation, safety, and resilience moving forward.
Trauma is when an event or experience happens that our body is not prepared to handle. The goal is not to erase memories, but to change how they are stored and experienced so they no longer control your reactions.
Treatment begins with an initial virtual counseling session to understand your history, goals, and readiness for EMDR. From there, therapy follows a structured eight-phase model that prioritizes safety, stabilization, and gradual processing.
Sessions may include:
Preparation and nervous system regulation strategies
Identifying target memories and treatment goals
Guided processing using bilateral stimulation
Strengthening positive beliefs and future coping responses
The pace is always individualized to your needs and comfort level.
What to Expect from the EMDR Process
Why Many Clients Choose EMDR
Focused and Efficient
EMDR targets specific sources of distress, often leading to noticeable shifts in emotional and physical responses over time.
Work Happens During Sessions
Unlike some therapies, EMDR does not require extensive homework between sessions. The primary work occurs within the therapeutic environment.
No Need to Share Every Detail
You do not have to describe traumatic memories in full detail for EMDR to be effective. Processing happens through internal experiences guided by the therapist.
Evidence-based and Widely Recognized
EMDR therapy was developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro, PhD., and is now used worldwide. Major health organizations recognize EMDR as an effective treatment for trauma and other distressing experiences.
Research shows strong outcomes for:
PTSD and complex trauma
Single-incident trauma
Chronic stress and anxiety patterns
Disturbing or intrusive memories
Francine Shapiro, PhD. (Photo: EMDR Institute)Ready to Learn More?
If you’re curious whether EMDR may be a good fit for your goals, explore the videos below or schedule a consultation to discuss your specific needs.
