What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a trauma-informed therapy that helps your brain and body reprocess distressing experiences. It works by activating your nervous system’s natural healing process through bilateral stimulation (like eye movements or tapping).
My Approach to EMDR
I offer EMDR with a grounding, relational focus. You won’t be rushed — we start by building trust, helping your nervous system feel safe, and integrating somatic tools that make the process feel supported and manageable. I often weave in resourcing, attachment repair, and creative processing methods like visual imagery or inner child work.
Who is EMDR For?
- Survivors of trauma (big or small)
- People feeling stuck in patterns or beliefs
- Those struggling with anxiety, grief, or shame
- Anyone ready to process pain gently, at their own pace
EMDR: The 8 Phases
Phase 1: History Taking
We explore your past, present, and what you’d like to focus on. This is collaborative and gentle, not an interrogation.
Phase 2: Preparation
We build skills to help you feel safe — this includes grounding, visualization, and body-based resourcing tools.
Phase 3: Assessment
We identify a specific memory to target, along with negative beliefs and body sensations connected to it. This helps map out the full “pain point” we’ll be working with.
Phase 4: Desensitization
This is where bilateral stimulation is introduced (like eye movements, tapping, or audio tones). We process the memory in short sets, letting the brain do the work while you notice what comes up. We pause often to check in.
Phase 5: Installation
Once the negative material has cleared, we strengthen a positive belief you want to hold — like “I am safe” or “I am enough.” This phase helps rewire your self-concept at a core level.
Phase 6: Body Scan
We invite your body to share any lingering tension or emotional residue. This helps ensure the memory feels fully resolved on a nervous system level — not just in your mind.
Phase 7: Closure
We return to grounding and resourcing practices before you leave session. Whether processing is complete or still unfolding, we close intentionally to help you feel steady and supported.
Phase 8: Reevaluation
In the following session, we check in on the memory and how your body feels now. If there’s more to process, we go deeper. If not, we move forward. Your feedback guides everything.
Ready to Begin?
If you’re curious about whether EMDR is right for you, I’m happy to chat. You don’t need to have it all figured out — we’ll take it one step at a time, together.
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