Emdr

What is Emdr?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful therapy designed to help you process and heal from traumatic experiences. If you’ve ever felt stuck in painful memories or overwhelming emotions, EMDR might be the tool you need.

In EMDR, we use techniques like bilateral stimulation—think guided eye movements or handheld tappers—to help your brain reprocess those difficult memories. It’s like hitting a reset button, allowing you to file those memories away properly so they no longer control your present.

Throughout the process, we’ll work together to identify the memories that weigh you down and replace negative beliefs with healthier, empowering thoughts. You won’t be alone; I’ll guide you every step of the way, ensuring you feel safe and supported.

EMDR can help you find the healing you deserve.

More about Emdr

Before we even start the EMDR process, we’ll focus on building the foundation through other trauma-informed modalities through trauma therapy. Here’s the deal: EMDR isn’t just about jumping straight into the tough stuff. We move at your pace and make sure you feel ready before diving deep. It’s all about moving you through those stuck emotions in a safe and manageable way EMDR also has eight phases and I know the idea of eight phases sounds like a lot, but don’t worry—I’ll walk you through every step. I’ve included a brief explanation of each phase to learn more.

EMDR might sound a little weird at first, and even kinda unbelievable. I totally can understand that, but by the time we’re done, you’ll notice that those old memories no longer control your present life. It’s powerful stuff!

The 8 phases

Getting to Know You – First, we’ll spend some time getting a clear picture of your story and what’s been weighing you down. We’ll talk about your goals for therapy and how you’d like things to change.
Prepping You with Tools – Before we even think about the hard memories, we’ll focus on building up your coping skills. This might include things like relaxation techniques, grounding exercises, and ways to handle those big emotions when they pop up.
Finding the Root – Together, we’ll figure out what memories or experiences are at the core of the pain or discomfort you’re feeling now. Sometimes it’s obvious, and sometimes it’s more subtle, but we’ll pinpoint where we need to focus.
Setting Up the Scene – When we’re ready, we’ll pick one of those memories to work with. You’ll bring it to mind, but don’t worry—you won’t be stuck there alone. I’ll be with you the whole time, guiding you through the process.
Reprocessing Begins – This is where the magic of EMDR happens. I’ll ask you to focus on that memory while using bilateral stimulation (like eye movements or tappers). This helps your brain start to reprocess the memory in a way that takes the emotional sting out of it. It’s like putting the memory in a different "folder" in your brain, so it no longer jumps out and controls your emotions.
Checking In – After each round of reprocessing, I’ll check in with how you’re feeling. If the memory is still intense, we’ll keep working. If it’s feeling lighter, we’ll keep moving forward.
Installing Positive Beliefs – Once the painful memory feels more neutral, we’ll start to replace the negative beliefs associated with it. Think of it as upgrading the way you think about yourself—letting go of things like “I’m not good enough” and replacing them with healthier, more empowering thoughts.
Wrapping It Up – Finally, we’ll make sure you’re feeling grounded and safe before you leave. The goal is to help you walk out feeling lighter, not weighed down.