What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a talk therapy modality appropriate for treating trauma and responses to stress. EMDR is a safe, effective, and empirically supported way to shift ‘stuck’ memories, negative thoughts about yourself, and physical responses (like panic attacks). Learn more about it here.

EMDR can be used to treat memories that are too hard to talk about, or self-doubts you can't stop believing. EMDR is effective for flashbacks and PTSD symptoms, anxiety, chronic pain, and other stressors. EMDR reduces the intensity of feeling when you recall past events or think about yourself. It does not erase memories.

EMDR can be conducted via telehealth if clinically appropriate. I’ll help you determine this after a screening call.

Is it for me?

If you’ve seen EMDR in the media, you may think it is only used after horrific events. This isn’t true. In traumaland (as I like to call it), we have ‘big T traumas’ and ‘little T traumas.’ Big T traumas are experiences like car crashes, violence, and natural disasters. When Big T traumas happen to folks, our culture generally agrees they are a ‘big deal.’ Little T traumas are insidious, distressing events that build up over time and can be more easily dismissed (which is also part of the trauma). Little T traumas include bullying, feeling misunderstood by caregivers, embarrassing situations, injuries, divorce, loss, and recurring stressors like living with financial worry or chronic illness. EMDR might be a good fit for you if you feel frequent dread, struggle with anxiety, have an irritable mood, are challenged by sleep, or can’t show yourself kindness and compassion.

Ok, this sounds different, and I’m intrigued. How do we do this?

The goal of EMDR is to do the trauma processing in a very kind way, using the natural ability of your body to process memories. You don’t have to speak much in session, there is very little verbal processing in comparison to other therapy modalities. We will meet for an intake appointment and I’ll get an understanding of your hopes for change. We then focus on building skills to reduce distress. After this, we identify target memories and negative cognitions (negative thoughts you hold about yourself) and what you’d like to feel instead. We will focus on these memories in very short bursts, using bilateral stimulation (BLS). BLS might be physical (tapping your knees or shoulders), audio or visual. We will determine the right fit for you. We process memories until you feel relief and can think positively about yourself in the past, present, and future. For more information, take a deep dive here or we can address questions together.

So, I can feel safe and calm? I can trust myself and know I’m capable?

If that’s how you want to feel when therapy is complete, that’s what we’ll work towards! EMDR is empirically supported (see a list of articles here). You are the driver on your EMDR journey. I am your fancy GPS. Most people report EMDR brings relief and allows them to step into the lives they want to live.

Can I do this in addition to the therapy I’m already receiving?

Yes, you can! You may have already built a strong bond with a therapist, and you want to keep working with them. EMDR can also be used as a supplement to help address any sticky ideas or old memories that feel very fresh, as long as your current therapist is willing to collaborate with another provider. With your permission, I will collaborate with your current therapist to ensure the treatment is cohesive.

Start EMDR therapy in Pennsylvania or California today.