Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing 
(EMDR) Therapy

Why Eye Movement Desensitization &
Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy?

What Can I Expect in a EMDR Session?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched and highly effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Ongoing research shows EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences. EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the you to "observe" a "movie" of the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements, but can also be done with tapping). THis process helps create a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. 

How Does EMDR Compare to Other Types of Therapy?

Most traditional therapies involve discussing problems, analyzing the past, or using medication to manage symptoms. While these methods help some people, they often take time and only address the symptoms, failing to address the deeper brain processes linked to mental health and addiction recovery in order to create deep, systemic change.

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Both EMDR therapy and traditional talk therapy aim to improve mental well-being. However, their focus and techniques vary. Talk therapy emphasizes the exploration of thoughts, emotions, and experiences, providing an environment conducive to self-reflection and insight.

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On the other hand, EMDR concentrates on processing and reprogramming traumatic memories and beliefs, with the objective of reducing distressing symptoms and fostering healing.

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Talk therapy may offer a broader exploration of emotions and experiences for those dealing with general mental health concerns, while EMDR, with its targeted focus on trauma, can provide accelerated healing for those specifically grappling with trauma-related conditions (but is not limited to helping solely with trauma).

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Choosing between these two approaches depends largely on individual needs and preferences and often, your experienced EMDR therapist will use both during your sessions according to your needs and presenting problems.​​

Can EMDR Be Done in Online Therapy?

Absolutely!  EMDR is well-suited to online sessions where you can be comfortable in your own environment safe in your own space and without any need to travel after the session. In fact, many of our clients actually prefer to do EMDR from the comfort of their own environment and our experienced, highly trained EMDR therapists have observed no reduction in clinical outcomes doing EMDR online versus in-person. 

The work is very grounded and we go at a pace that is comfortable to you. Our goal is to establish emotional regulation while working through the difficult material your brain already has access to.​

Unlike traditional talk therapy, The EMDR process can be done with minimal re-hashing of the uncomfortable memories or experiences. While you may share some aspects of your experience with the therapist, much of the work is done with you "noticing" your emotional and physical, as well as your changing thoughts and insights, with your therapist checking in occasionally to track your progress and gently redirect you to help meet your therapeutic goals. 

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After your EMDR therapist and you agree that EMDR therapy is a good fit, the beginning sessions will involve discussing what you want to work on and improving your ability to manage distress during and between sessions.

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When you're ready for the next phases of EMDR therapy, you will be asked to focus on a specific event, memory, or even a "felt sense" if you cannot identify a specific memory. Attention will be given to an uncomfortable image, belief, emotion, and the body feelings related to this experience and then to a positive belief indicating the issue was resolved.

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While you focus on the upsetting event, the therapist will begin sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps. You will be guided to notice what comes to mind after each set. You may experience shifts in insight or changes in images, feelings, or beliefs regarding the event.

You have complete control to stop the therapist at any point if needed. The sets of eye movements, sounds, or taps are repeated until the target experience becomes less disturbing.

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EMDR therapy may be the sole focus of your work with your therapist or used alongside other modalities such as talk-therapy, Deep Brain Reorienting, or Accelerated Resolution Therapy.

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The EMDR approach is client-centered, slow and consensual. While it is not always possible to process a whole event in a single session, we will determine a good place to start and end each session. Our goal will be to work systematically through your upsetting memories and experiences and help carefully navigate through dissociative experiences.

"Processing" in EMDR Therapy

Unlike during regular talk therapy, "processing" does not mean talking about a traumatic experience. "Processing" means setting up a learning state that will allow experiences causing problems to be "digested" and stored appropriately in your brain. That means that what is useful to you from an experience will be learned and stored with appropriate emotions in your brain and can guide you positively in the future.

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The inappropriate emotions, beliefs, and body sensations will be discarded. Negative emotions, feelings, and behaviors are generally caused by unresolved earlier experiences pushing you in the wrong direction. The goal of EMDR therapy is to leave you with the emotions, understanding, and perspectives that will lead to healthy and useful behaviors and interactions.