Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
You don't have to keep carrying the weight of what happened. You can begin to make room for healing.
Sometimes experiences from the past can continue to affect how you feel, think, or respond in the present, even when you know you're safe now. EMDR can help you process distressing experiences and the emotions, beliefs, and sensations connected to them, creating space for healing and a greater sense of ease in the present.
When the Past Still Feels Present
Sometimes you know an experience is over, but part of you may still feel affected by it. A memory, situation, sensation, or reminder can bring back emotions or reactions that feel stronger than you expect. You may understand what happened logically while still feeling stuck in the fear, sadness, shame, or sense of danger connected to it.
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Certain Memories Still Feel Intensely Present
A memory may bring back the same emotions, sensations, or sense of danger even though you know you're safe now. EMDR can help you explore how the experience is still affecting you and begin processing what remains emotionally unresolved.
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Your Body Reacts Before You Can Make Sense of It
You may feel tense, on edge, shut down, or overwhelmed before you even understand what triggered the reaction. EMDR can help you explore the experiences and sensations connected to these responses and how they continue to affect you today.
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You Avoid Reminders of What Happened
You may avoid places, conversations, situations, or even thoughts that remind you of a difficult experience. EMDR can help you explore what makes these reminders feel difficult and work toward feeling less controlled by them.
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You Still Carry the Beliefs Trauma Left Behind
You may find yourself believing things like “I'm not safe,” “It was my fault,” or “I can't trust anyone.” EMDR can help you explore the experiences and beliefs connected to these feelings and create space for a different way of understanding yourself and what happened.
What EMDR Therapy Can Feel Like
EMDR is a structured, collaborative approach that can help you process distressing experiences while staying connected to the present. Before beginning processing, you and your therapist will build a sense of safety and readiness, and you'll move through the process at a pace that feels manageable.
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You Build a Sense of Safety First
Before processing difficult experiences, you and your therapist can develop strategies to help you feel grounded, supported, and prepared for the work. You'll have space to build confidence in your ability to return to a sense of safety when things feel difficult.
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You Don't Have to Tell the Whole Story
EMDR does not require you to repeatedly describe the details of a traumatic experience. You can work with the memories, emotions, beliefs, and sensations connected to what happened without having to put every part of the experience into words.
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You Notice What Comes Up Without Having to Force It
During processing, thoughts, emotions, memories, images, or physical sensations may arise. Your therapist helps you notice what emerges without needing to control or explain every part of the experience.
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You Begin to Experience the Memory Differently
As processing unfolds, the memory may begin to feel less emotionally intense or less connected to the same sense of fear, shame, helplessness, or danger. You may find that you can remember what happened without feeling as controlled by it.
When the Past Feels Less Present, You Have More Room for Today
When difficult experiences continue to affect the way you feel, think, or respond, it can be hard to feel fully present in your life today. EMDR can help reduce the emotional intensity connected to distressing experiences, so you may be able to remember what happened without feeling as overwhelmed by it. As the past begins to feel less controlling, you may have more space for greater ease, connection, and engagement with the parts of your life that matter to you.
Your Path Through Healing
There isn't one approach that works for everyone. Trauma therapy can be tailored to your experiences, needs, and goals, drawing from different approaches to support you along the way.
Find a Therapist Who Feels Like a Good Fit
Finding the right therapist can make a meaningful difference in your experience of therapy. Get to know our therapists, learn about their approaches and areas of focus, and find someone who feels like a good fit for you. And if you're not sure where to start, that's okay—we can help you explore what kind of support may be right for you.
FAQs
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Not necessarily. While some discussion of your experiences may be part of assessment and preparation, EMDR does not require you to repeatedly describe every detail of a traumatic experience. You can work with memories, emotions, beliefs, and physical sensations without having to put every part of the experience into words.
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No. EMDR can be used to help process a range of distressing or overwhelming experiences, including trauma, loss, relationship experiences, medical experiences, and other events that continue to affect how you feel or respond. Your therapist can help determine whether EMDR is an appropriate fit for your concerns.
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You don't need to remember every detail of an experience for EMDR to be helpful. Therapy can focus on what you do remember, along with the emotions, thoughts, physical sensations, or reactions that are still present today.
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EMDR may be a good fit if past experiences continue to affect how you feel, think, respond, or relate to yourself or others, even when you know those experiences are in the past. Your therapist can help you explore your concerns and determine whether EMDR or another approach may best support your goals.
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Yes. Our therapists participate with a variety of insurance plans. Your cost will depend on your individual insurance benefits and the therapist you choose. We also offer self-pay options for clients who are not using insurance.
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Step 1: Connect With Us
Take the first step by contacting us. We're here to answer your questions and help you get started.
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Step 2: We'll Guide You
Together, we'll help you find the therapist who is the best fit for your needs, goals, and preferences.
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Step 3: Begin Healing Together
Meet your therapist, build a trusting relationship, and begin working toward meaningful growth and lasting change.