What is EMDR?

EMDR is a therapy that helps the brain work through painful memories so they no longer feel overwhelming or intrusive.

When something traumatic happens, the brain sometimes doesn’t fully process it. The memory can remain active, and certain sights, sounds, thoughts, or feelings may trigger the body to react as if the event is happening again — even years later.

EMDR helps the brain complete that processing so memories are stored like normal past events — something you remember, not something you relive.

What Actually Happens in an EMDR Session?

1. I make sure you’re ready

I don’t jump straight into hard memories. First, I spend time getting to know you, building trust, and helping you learn ways to calm your body if things feel intense. You stay in control the whole time.

2. You briefly focus on a memory

You don’t have to describe every detail or relive the trauma out loud. You simply bring a memory, image, feeling, or belief to mind — often for only short moments.

3. Your brain does the work

While you’re holding that memory in mind, you hold two vibrating pulsers in your hands to give your brain bilateral stimulation. (This doesn't hurt or shock. It is simply like holding to vibrating cell phones in your hands.) This keeps both sides of the brain engaged and allows the memory to naturally shift and settle.

Many people notice the memory loses its emotional charge, changes, or feels more distant — like something that happened then, not something happening now.

4. The distress fades, new meaning emerges

As the brain processes, old beliefs like “I’m not safe” or “It was my fault” often soften or fall away — replaced with more grounded truths like “I survived” or “I’m safe now.”

Do I Have to Relive My Trauma?

No.
You stay present, grounded, and aware. I won’t ask you to go into graphic detail, and you can slow down or stop at any time. Many clients are surprised by how gentle the process feels.

What Can EMDR Help With?

EMDR is often helpful for:

Trauma and PTSD
Anxiety and panic
Grief and loss
Childhood wounds
Performance blocks
Negative self-beliefs
Emotional reactions that feel “bigger than the situation”

Sometimes people don’t even know why they react the way they do — EMDR helps the brain sort that out.

What Does It Feel Like?

Everyone’s experience is different, but many people describe EMDR as:

Relieving
Surprisingly calm
Emotionally freeing
Tiring in a good way
Like “something finally clicked”