EMDR is proving to be the silicon chip of psychotherapy; it allows people to process incredible amounts of material in a shockingly short time."

EMDR is a structured, research-backed therapy that helps your brain process painful or overwhelming experiences, so they no longer hold the same emotional charge. Instead of simply talking through events, EMDR uses something called bilateral stimulation—moving back-and-forth stimuli (I use a light bar or headphones with alternating sounds)—to help both sides of your brain communicate and process old material.

Think of it like cleaning out an overloaded filing cabinet. The memory or feeling that’s been jamming up the drawer finally gets sorted and put in its proper place.

Your brain’s natural processing system can get overwhelmed—especially during stressful or traumatic moments. EMDR taps into deeper parts of your brain (like the amygdala and hippocampus) and helps “unstick” those memories or emotions, moving them from the emotional centers to your logical, thinking brain.

What’s cool is that EMDR works much like what happens during REM sleep, when your brain sorts and organizes memories. But instead of hoping your dreams sort it out, we’re intentionally guiding the process while you’re fully awake and in control.

Before opening my private practice, I worked as a dedicated trauma therapist at a residential trauma treatment center, specializing in EMDR. I've guided many clients through all phases of EMDR therapy—whether addressing a single event, ongoing stress, or complex trauma—and I’ll be right there to support you every step of the way.

And because I’m trained in both EMDR and Brainspotting (BSP), if at any point it feels like Brainspotting might be a better fit for your goals, we can switch approaches seamlessly—no need to start over or jump through hoops.

EMDR follows an 8-phase structure (don’t worry, you don’t have to memorize them—I’ve got it covered). 

The first few sessions are all about:

1. History Taking – Understanding your background, experiences, and goals
2. Preparation – Helping you feel grounded, safe, and ready
3. Assessment – Identifying specific memories, thoughts, or feelings we’ll focus on

Once we’ve laid that foundation, you’ll be ready for Phase 4: Desensitization, where we introduce bilateral stimulation and your brain starts reprocessing what’s been stuck.

That’s one of the most common questions I hear—and the honest answer is: it depends. Some clients experience relief after just a few EMDR sessions, while others with more complex histories may benefit from longer-term work.

The beauty of EMDR is that it’s efficient and focused. You don’t have to spend years rehashing your story. Many people continue noticing positive shifts between sessions and even after completing therapy.

• Targeting a Memory or Feeling: Together, we’ll choose something meaningful to focus on.
• Bilateral Stimulation: You’ll follow the lights on the light bar or listen to alternating sounds through headphones.
• Processing: You might notice emotions, physical sensations, or fresh insights bubbling up—it’s your brain at work.
• Control: You can pause, take breaks, and move at your own pace.

EMDR is especially effective for:

• Trauma (single-event or complex)
• Anxiety & chronic stress
• Negative beliefs (like "I’m not good enough" or "I’ll never feel safe")
• Grief and loss
• Performance anxiety
• Emotional patterns that feel stuck, no matter how much you talk about them

If you’re ready to move past what’s been holding you back—and want an approach that’s structured, supportive, and efficient—EMDR might be the right fit.

I offer both 50-minute and extended 100-minute EMDR sessions, so you can choose what works best for your schedule and goals. (And if we find Brainspotting might serve you better? No problem—we can pivot easily.)

Curious about how EMDR can help you?
Contact me today to schedule your complimentary 15-minute consultation via my contact form.