EMDR THERAPY
AREAS OF HELP
ONLINE ACROSS CA & NV
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidenced-based proven method that goes beyond traditional talk therapy to unlock profound healing and lasting changes.
Developed in the late 1980’s by a psychologist named Dr. Francine Shapiro, it was originally used as a treatment modality for individuals with PTSD. However, over the past decades, it has become widely accepted and endorsed by reputable organizations such as the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/Dept. of Defense, and the World Health Organization.
Additionally, over the years, it has evolved into an evidence-based therapeutic approach that is effective for a myriad of mental health challenges, such as anxiety, panic disorders, phobias, OCD, depression, and addiction.
WILL EMDR HELP ME?
you have tried talk therapy and it has not resolved your problems
you want to target the root of your trauma
you struggle with negative beliefs about yourself
you struggle with general anxiety, social anxiety, performance anxiety and/or panic attacks
EMDR IS FOR YOU IF…
EMDR IS NOT FOR YOU IF…
you are actively using substances such as alcohol, marijuana, etc. with no intent to stop or cut down on use
you have an ongoing crisis that needs to be addressed and takes precedence over working through your past
you have a neurological condition
you have not completed a physical exam to rule out for medical conditions
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Simply put, we aim to address the root cause of your struggles
During an EMDR session, we will determine what are your root negative beliefs that are keeping you stuck, such as “I’m not good enough,” “I’m damaged,” or “I have to please everyone.” We will work on identifying the distressing experiences that have contributed to these beliefs.
You will be guided to recall parts of these events (without going into detail) while engaging in bilateral stimulation, by following the therapist's hand movements with your eyes, through a remote online program, listening to tones, or through self-tapping techniques. This process helps your brain reprocess the traumatic memories, allowing you to make sense of them in a new and healing way.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Feel less triggered and have fewer negative associations with how you feel.
While every person's experience with EMDR is unique, many clients report feeling a sense of relief and empowerment as they work through past distressful events.
For highly distressful experiences, you may no longer feel as if you are reliving the experience again, whether that’s a feeling, a thought, an image, or a physiological reaction. In other cases, you may notice that the negative feelings are no longer there.
The transformation happens when we address the root causes of your limitations and establish a healed and rejuvenated self-perception. This shift enables your internal perception and cognitive associations to transition toward a more positive outlook, leading to greater emotional resilience and a renewed sense of well-being.
Whether this is an incident that happened when you were a child or in the past month, EMDR has been shown to be very effective in reducing the impact that the event has on your present self.
IF YOU’RE WONDERING IF EMDR THERAPY IS RIGHT FOR YOU:
Many people who seek EMDR therapy have spent years carrying the effects of difficult experiences and wonder whether the things they’ve been through can actually heal. You may be asking yourself...
Can EMDR help with childhood trauma?
Yes, EMDR is effective at helping people process childhood trauma, including experiences of neglect, abuse, instability, or unmet emotional needs. EMDR doesn't erase the memory, it reduces the emotional charge attached to it, so past experiences feel less present and less overwhelming in day-to-day life. Many clients notice that memories which once triggered intense anxiety or shame become easier to think about without the same physical or emotional reaction.
Does EMDR work for complex PTSD?
Yes, EMDR is shown to work for complex PTSD or CPTSD, though it's not applied the same way it is for a single traumatic event. Complex PTSD comes from repeated or prolonged trauma, often starting early in life, and it tends to affect identity, relationships, and emotional regulation more broadly than one isolated memory does. Treatment usually involves more preparation and pacing before any direct memory processing begins, so your nervous system has enough stability to handle the work safely. It's not a quick fix, and for some people it takes longer than single-incident trauma, but the research and clinical experience behind it are solid.
What if I don't remember everything that happened?
You don't need a complete or clear memory of your past for EMDR to work. A lot of people come into therapy with feelings, body sensations, beliefs about themselves, or patterns in their relationships they want to understand, even when the actual memories behind them are fuzzy or missing entirely. EMDR can start with what you're carrying right now, a tight chest, a belief that you're not enough, a habit of shutting down in conflict, without needing a full story of where it came from.
Can EMDR help if talk therapy hasn’t worked?
Yes. It's common for people to come to EMDR after years of talk therapy, having gained real insight into where certain patterns come from but still feeling stuck reacting the same way in the moment. Understanding a problem intellectually doesn't always change how your body responds to it. EMDR works differently, targeting the memory and the reaction directly instead of talking through it, which is often why it helps when other approaches have stalled.
Can EMDR help with trauma from past relationships?
Yes. EMDR is often used to work through relationship patterns that trace back to childhood or past relationships, especially the kind where you keep finding yourself drawn to the same dynamic with different people. Instead of just talking through why the pattern happens, EMDR helps reprocess the original experiences that shaped it, so the pull toward familiar but painful relationships starts to loosen over time. If you're noticing this in your own life, this post on why relationship patterns repeat goes deeper into how it shows up and why it happens.
FAQ: Other Common questions about EMDR Therapy
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Yes! I use an online program that you will receive access through a password. This online program is managed by me to help with the eye movement for bilateral stimulation. I also teach the method to self-administer tapping using your hands.
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Numerous studies published in recent years indicate that online EMDR therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions.
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EMDR is not a form of hypnosis, as it relies on eye movements to help people process and heal from trauma. You can choose to keep your eye open or closed throughout the entire session.
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Immediately following a session, you may experience fatigue or headaches for a short period. At times, you may experience vivid dreams. However, the benefits of EMDR therapy have outweighed the potential risks for many.
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The most widespread use of EMDR has historically been for PTSD. However, EMDR therapy is suitable for individuals who are struggling with trauma, anxiety, phobias, and other psychological challenges.
Whether you are a high-functioning professional struggling with limiting beliefs or someone navigating the struggles of everyday life, EMDR can offer long-term changes and benefits.
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If you are currently working with an individual therapist and want to pursue EMDR therapy for specific incidents or unresolved experiences, a 90-minute EMDR extended session may be a helpful complement to your current treatment.
However, working with two therapists at the same time can sometimes feel confusing without a clear plan and purpose for each therapeutic relationship.
Please consult with your current therapist before reaching out. You are also welcome to request a free 20-minute consultation with me to discuss your goals and determine whether EMDR is the right fit, as there may be important considerations to explore.
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EMDR can be for non-trauma memories that do not necessarily meet diagnosis for PTSD. For instance, doing a speech in middle school and being humiliated leading to anxiety in social situations or presenting in front of others might be something EMDR can be effective as well.
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If you're ready to break free from the grip of past trauma, EMDR therapy could be the solution for you.