Sometimes healing requires more than words — it requires
a different approach.
If you’ve talked about it, tried coping skills, or worked hard to “move on” but still feel stuck, overwhelmed, or easily triggered, you’re not alone. For some people it’s…
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anxiety or overthinking that won’t quiet down,
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the way you react in relationships, even when part of you knows you don’t want to,
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a heaviness you can’t explain, or
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low self-worth.
And for others, it’s trauma — an experience your body never fully processed, leaving you on edge or overwhelmed. Whatever it looks like for you, one thing is clear:
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You’re tired of carrying this alone, and tired of feeling like “just talking about it” isn’t enough.
You’re not broken.
Your system is doing its best to protect you. When something deeper is keeping you stuck,
EMDR can help.
An evidence-based therapy that taps into your brain’s
natural ability to heal.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, but the name matters far less than what it helps your brain do.
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At its core, EMDR helps your mind and body process experiences that have never fully resolved and still show up as anxiety, emotional overwhelm, painful memories, negative beliefs about yourself, or reactions you don’t quite understand.
Sometimes those experiences are clearly traumatic. Other times, they’re more subtle, like years of stress, relationship wounds, feeling unsafe being yourself, or moments that taught you “something isn’t right,” even if you can’t point to a single event.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (such as alternating eye movements, tapping, or gentle auditory tones) to help your brain reprocess these experiences in a new way, similar to how your mind sorts and integrates information during the REM phase of sleep. As this happens, the emotional intensity connected to what you’ve been carrying begins to soften, making it easier to stay present, grounded, and engaged in life.
When something overwhelms your system, your brain can get stuck holding onto the fear, images, emotions, or body sensations as if the danger is still happening. EMDR helps your system recognize, “That was then. This is now.”
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You don’t need to have “big trauma”, or even clear memories, for EMDR to work. Many people use EMDR to work through anxiety, relationship patterns, self-doubt, or emotional blocks that haven’t shifted with talk therapy alone.
How it Helps
EMDR helps by addressing what’s happening beneath the surface: the fears, beliefs, memories, and nervous system responses that keep you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or on edge. As the brain begins to reprocess these experiences, many people notice that the intensity of their reactions starts to decrease: Anxiety feels less consuming. Emotional triggers don’t hit as hard. Situations that once felt overwhelming become easier to navigate.
Over time, EMDR can help shift the negative beliefs that often form after painful experiences, like “I’m not good enough,” “I’m unsafe,” or “Something is wrong with me.” And as those beliefs soften, you may find it easier to trust yourself, feel more grounded in your body, and respond to life with more flexibility instead of fear.
EMDR doesn’t just reduce symptoms. It helps you break out of old patterns in relationships, at work, and within yourself. It supports deep, lasting healing so you can genuinely move forward, not just cope.
What to Expect
EMDR happens in phases, and the first phase is always stabilization and safety. Before any processing begins, your therapist will help you feel grounded and supported. You’ll learn ways to calm your nervous system, stay present, and feel steady during and between sessions.
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When you’re ready, your therapist will help you identify the themes, memories, or experiences connected to your experiences. Together, you’ll decide which memory to target during the reprocessing phase.
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During processing, your therapist will guide you through sets of bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or gentle tones). This helps your brain reorganize the memory in a more adaptive way — similar to how the mind naturally processes information during REM sleep.
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You won’t be asked to relive difficult or traumatic experiences or share every detail. Instead, you’ll simply notice the images, thoughts, emotions, or sensations that come up while staying anchored in the present moment. Your therapist will stay with you throughout, helping you remain grounded and supported.
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Most people describe EMDR as a meaningful experience that finally allows things to shift in ways talk therapy alone hasn’t been able to.
EMDR Therapy Can Help You
Feel less reactive and overwhelmed when stress, memories, or emotions come up
Break out of patterns that keep you stuck — in relationships, work, or within yourself
Feel more settled and at peace in your body, with fewer surges of panic, tension, or shutdown
Change long-standing beliefs like “I’m not good enough,” “I’m unsafe,” or “Something is wrong with me”
Loosen the fear, shame, or self-blame that’s been weighing on you — even if you don’t fully understand where it started
Reconnect with parts of yourself that may have gone quiet over time: confidence, voice, presence, and a sense of possibility
Common Questions about EMDR Therapy
Is EMDR helpful if I haven't experienced trauma?
Yes. While EMDR is well known for treating trauma and PTSD, it can also be helpful for anxiety, low self-worth, relationship struggles rooted in deeper fears, and feeling “stuck” in patterns you can’t seem to move past. If certain memories, beliefs, or emotional reactions keep showing up and getting in the way of how you want to live, EMDR may be a good fit, even if you don’t identify as having trauma.
Will I have to talk about the details of my trauma?
Not necessarily. Unlike talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require you to share every detail of what happened. You’ll be guided to notice what comes up internally (thoughts, emotions, images, or body sensations) while staying grounded in the present. Your therapist helps facilitate the process, but you always remain in control of what you share.
What if I don't remember everything clearly?
That’s very common, and it doesn’t prevent EMDR from being effective. EMDR works with how your brain and nervous system hold experiences — not just with clear, narrative memories. You don’t need a complete or perfectly accurate memory for healing to happen. Your system already knows what needs attention, and EMDR allows that information to be processed safely.
What if new images, emotions, or memories come up during EMDR? Does that mean they’re real memories?
Not always. During EMDR, your brain may bring up images, emotions, or themes as it integrates information, similar to how dreams work during sleep. Just because something comes up doesn’t mean it’s a literal memory. Your therapist will help you stay grounded and make sense of whatever arises without assuming it represents something that actually happened.
What does an EMDR session actually feel like?
EMDR sessions tend to feel focused and inward. Rather than talking through a story from beginning to end, you’ll notice thoughts, emotions, images, or body sensations coming up as your mind makes connections, often in ways that feel surprising or insightful. Some sessions feel emotionally activating; others feel more reflective or clarifying. Many clients describe gaining new understanding or relief as pieces begin to “click” together. Your therapist will check in with you throughout the session and help pace the work so it feels manageable and grounded.
How long does EMDR take?
EMDR isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Treatment length depends on factors like your goals, history, and how your nervous system responds.
EMDR always begins with preparation and stabilization before any memory processing takes place. Some people notice meaningful shifts in a relatively short time, while others benefit from a longer course of therapy.
Is EMDR safe if I already feel overwhelmed or anxious?
Yes. EMDR is always paced with your nervous system in mind. You won’t be pushed into processing before you feel ready. Your therapist will help you build skills for staying present and regulated, and you can pause or slow down at any point. EMDR is designed to reduce overwhelm, not increase it.
What if EMDR brings things up that feel too intense?
Your therapist will be closely attuned to your responses and will help keep the work within a tolerable range. EMDR includes built-in ways to pause, shift focus, or return to grounding if things feel like too much. You’re never expected to push through discomfort alone, and you will be in control of pausing the processing if needed. Safety and pacing are central to the process.
How do I know if EMDR is right for me?
EMDR may be a good fit if you feel stuck, easily triggered, or weighed down by past experiences, even if you’ve tried other forms of therapy before. A consultation can help you decide whether EMDR aligns with your goals and what you’re hoping to change. We’re always happy to talk through your questions before you begin.