Unlike traditional talk therapy, which often focuses on discussing the past, EMDR therapy directly targets distressing memories and changes the way they are stored in the brain. This approach helps your brain process them in a healthier way, leading to faster and more lasting results, especially for deeply embedded emotional pain.

While EMDR therapy is highly effective for trauma, it also helps with a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, phobias, relationship struggles, stress, low self-esteem, and even work-related issues. It’s a versatile approach that helps heal the root cause of your pain and stress, whatever that may be.

During an EMDR session, I guide you through a structured process that helps your brain reprocess distressing memories and experiences. We begin by identifying the specific memory or issue you want to work on, along with the negative beliefs and physical sensations connected to it. You'll then focus on this memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, which typically involves following my hand movements with your eyes, though we can also use tapping or auditory cues if that feels more comfortable for you.

Throughout the session, I'll check in with you regularly to see what you're noticing and guide you through different phases of the process. Many people are surprised by how naturally their brain begins to make new connections and insights during this work. The session is entirely within your control, and you can pause or adjust the pace at any time. Between sets of bilateral stimulation, you'll have opportunities to share what you're experiencing, though you only need to share as much detail as feels right for you.

EMDR sessions can feel quite different from traditional talk therapy because we're working with your brain's natural processing abilities rather than spending extensive time analyzing or discussing the details of past events. My role is to facilitate this process and ensure you feel safe and supported throughout.

One of the aspects many of my clients appreciate about EMDR is that you don't need to describe traumatic experiences in extensive detail for the therapy to be effective. While I do need to understand generally what we're working on and which memories are causing distress, you have complete control over how much you choose to share. Some people find it helpful to talk through their experiences, while others prefer to keep the details private and simply focus on the internal work.

This can be particularly relieving if you've been avoiding therapy because you dread having to recount painful memories over and over again. The EMDR process allows your brain to reprocess these experiences without requiring you to verbally relive every moment. During the bilateral stimulation phases, you're simply noticing what comes up for you internally, which might include images, thoughts, emotions, or body sensations.

I work collaboratively with you to determine the right approach for your comfort level and healing needs. My training in trauma-informed approaches means I understand the importance of maintaining your sense of safety and agency throughout our work together. The goal is to help you heal, not to retraumatize you by forcing detailed recounting of painful events.

Everyone processes at their own pace. To fully resolve a problem, we work with past memories, current triggers, and the way you'd like to feel or act moving forward.

Many people seeking therapy for anxiety wonder whether EMDR can help them, especially if they don't identify a single traumatic event as the cause of their symptoms. The answer is often yes. While EMDR was originally developed for processing traumatic memories, it has proven highly effective for anxiety that may stem from a variety of sources, including patterns developed over time, accumulated stress, or experiences you might not initially recognize as traumatic.

In my work with high-functioning women dealing with anxiety, I often find that what appears as generalized worry or perfectionism has roots in earlier experiences or messages you received about your worth, safety, or capabilities. Through EMDR, we can identify and reprocess these foundational experiences, which often leads to significant relief from present-day anxiety symptoms like racing thoughts, physical tension, or constant worry.

We might work on memories of times you felt criticized, unsupported, or overwhelmed, or address the internal beliefs driving your anxiety, such as "I'm not good enough" or "Something bad will happen if I'm not perfect." EMDR can also help regulate your nervous system, reducing the chronic stress response that keeps you in a state of high alert. During your initial intake session, we'll explore your specific anxiety patterns and determine how EMDR can best support your healing.

Between sessions, I may invite you to engage in practices that support your healing process and help you apply the insights and shifts you're experiencing. These aren't traditional homework assignments but rather tools and reflections designed to work with your specific needs and goals. The purpose is to extend the benefits of our sessions into your daily life and help you build new patterns of responding to stress and challenges.

These between-session practices might include noticing and tracking certain thoughts or body sensations, using grounding techniques when you feel activated, or practicing self-compassion exercises. I'll always explain why I'm suggesting a particular practice and how it connects to the work we're doing together. These tools are meant to support you, not add to your already full plate of responsibilities.

Consistency with any suggested practices can enhance your progress, especially when we're working on shifting long-standing patterns or addressing core issues. However, I understand that you're juggling many demands, and I approach this flexibly. During sessions, we'll discuss what's working and adjust as needed. My goal is to provide you with practical resources that feel manageable and genuinely helpful, not to create additional pressure or expectations that add to your stress.

Standard EMDR therapy typically involves weekly or biweekly sessions of 50 minutes, allowing you to work through difficult material at a steady, sustainable pace while maintaining your regular life responsibilities. This format works well for many people and allows time between sessions to integrate what you've processed.

EMDR intensives, on the other hand, involve longer, concentrated blocks of therapy time, usually ranging from several hours in a single day to multiple days of extended sessions. This format can be particularly beneficial if you're dealing with specific traumatic events or have limited availability due to work or family commitments. Intensives allow for deeper, more continuous processing without the interruption of returning to daily life between shorter sessions.

I offer both options because different approaches suit different situations and preferences. Some of my clients find that intensives help them achieve breakthroughs more quickly, while others prefer the gradual pace of weekly sessions. During your free 15-minute phone consultation, we can discuss which format might align best with your goals, schedule, and the issues you want to address. Both approaches are equally valid, and the choice depends on your individual circumstances and what feels right for your healing journey.

EMDR is an evidence-based therapy that has been researched extensively and proven safe and effective for many people. However, like any therapeutic approach, it works best when there's a good fit between the method and the individual's current situation and needs. During your initial intake session, I conduct a thorough assessment to determine if EMDR is appropriate for you at this time.

For EMDR to be most effective, you need a foundation of stability and coping skills that allow you to process difficult material without becoming overwhelmed. If you're currently in crisis or dealing with certain mental health conditions that require stabilization first, I might recommend beginning with other therapeutic approaches to build that foundation before moving into EMDR work. My training in trauma-informed stabilization treatment means I'm equipped to help you develop these resources as needed.

I'm also certified in related approaches like Accelerated Resolution Therapy and work with Internal Family Systems-informed methods, which means I can adapt my approach to what serves your healing best. Your safety and wellbeing are my top priorities. We'll work collaboratively to ensure that any therapeutic approach we use feels manageable and supportive. If EMDR feels too intense at any point, we can adjust the pace, use additional resourcing techniques, or explore alternative methods that might be a better fit for where you are in your healing journey.

Recognizing that you're ready for EMDR often comes from a place of knowing that something needs to change. Many of the women I work with have reached a point where their usual coping strategies aren't working anymore. Perhaps your anxiety has intensified, your body is sending signals through physical symptoms, or you've experienced a recent event that has made it clear you can't continue managing everything on your own.

You might be ready for EMDR if you're noticing patterns in your life that you want to change, such as intense reactions that seem disproportionate to current situations, persistent negative beliefs about yourself despite your accomplishments, or difficulty being present in relationships because past experiences keep intruding. You don't need to have everything figured out or understand exactly where your struggles originated. Part of the work we do together involves identifying the experiences and beliefs that are keeping you stuck.

That said, starting therapy requires a commitment to yourself and the process. EMDR works best when you can attend sessions consistently and engage with the work, even when it feels challenging. If you're curious about whether EMDR is right for you, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. During this conversation, we can discuss what you're experiencing, what you're hoping to change, and whether EMDR aligns with your goals. From there, we can determine together if this is the right time and approach for your healing journey. Taking this first step of reaching out is often the hardest part, and it's already a sign that you're ready to invest in yourself.