EMDR Therapy

After therapist and client agree that EMDR therapy is a good fit, the beginning sessions will involve discussing what the client wants to work on and improving the client's ability to manage distress in and outside of session (called the resourcing phase).

When ready for the next phases of EMDR therapy, the client will be asked to focus on a specific distressing theme or event. Intentional attention will be given to a negative image, belief, emotion, and body feeling related to this event and then to a positive, more adaptive belief.

While the client focuses on the upsetting event, we integrate sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps, which help in strengthening the mind-body connection and awakening certain regions of the brain initiated in processing and healing (mimicing REM sleep). The client will be guided to notice what comes to mind after each set. They may experience shifts in insight, physical sensations in the body, or changes in images, feelings, or beliefs regarding the event.

The client has complete control to stop the therapist at any point if needed. The sets of eye movements, sounds, or taps are repeated until the event becomes less disturbing.

EMDR therapy may be used within a standard talking therapy relationship, as adjunctive therapy with a separate therapist, or as a standalone treatment modality.