Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
(EMDR)

What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy that helps people heal from the emotional pain caused by difficult life experiences. Just like your body knows how to heal a wound, your brain also has a natural ability to recover from emotional trauma. However, if something gets in the way—like a painful memory that feels stuck—it can keep causing distress. EMDR works to remove these mental "blocks" so your brain can process and heal from the experience.

Challenges EMDR Therapy Treats:

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

  • Anxiety disorders (e.g. generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias)

  • Depression

  • Dissociative disorders

  • Sexual/emotional/physical abuse

  • Grief and loss

  • Disturbing memories

  • Stress Reduction

  • Relationship difficulties (e.g. attachment, intimacy, & co-dependency)

How EMDR Helps:

During EMDR therapy, you and your therapist focus on two main goals:

1. Strengthening your ability to handle distress so you feel more in control.

2. Reprocessing difficult experiences so they no longer trigger strong emotional reactions.

A key part of EMDR is bilateral stimulation—this means moving your eyes back and forth, feeling gentle taps in your hands, or listening to alternating sounds. This helps your brain recognize that what you’re remembering is in the past, not happening now. As a result, your brain can let go of survival instincts that were once needed but are no longer helpful.

What to Expect in a Session:

You are always in control during EMDR and can stop at any time. If you prefer, you don’t even have to talk about the details of what happened. Your therapist is there to guide and support you, but your brain does most of the healing naturally. Many people find EMDR to be an empowering experience that helps them move forward with a greater sense of peace.