EMDR Therapy
When people come to me specifically for EMDR, it is usually recommended because something is still stuck. A memory, an experience, a reaction that doesn’t quite match the present moment anymore. My approach is to get to the root of it, not just manage what keeps growing on the surface.
Getting to the Root
I think of it like a dandelion. You can trim the flower or pull at the stem, but if the root stays, it just comes back. EMDR helps us find and heal the actual root (usually a trauma or a distressing experience) rather than spend all our time managing the symptoms it keeps producing.
How I Use EMDR
I go at your pace. Some sessions we spend enhancing positive emotions and internal resources; others we move into reprocessing a specific memory once you’re ready. In session, I can use tools like a theratapper, a hand-held device for bilateral stimulation, to help guide the process as we work through a target together.
I often combine EMDR with Internal Family Systems (IFS) work for a more complete approach to trauma. I’m currently deepening that training even further through a four-month intensive.
What EMDR Helps With
Most people think of EMDR as a trauma treatment, and that’s usually true. But it can help with a wide range of experiences that still carry an emotional charge. The goal is simple: take something highly distressing and make it feel more manageable. More past-tense. Less like it’s happening right now.
EMDR is well-researched for trauma, and for single-incident experiences, some clients notice real shifts in just a handful of sessions. Everyone’s timeline looks different.
Common Questions
Is EMDR the right fit for me?
EMDR isn’t only for major trauma. I’ve used it with clients working through everything from panic to smaller, specific triggers, even something as ordinary as an unwanted craving. If you’re not sure it’s right for you, we can talk it through together before deciding anything.
What if I’m not ready to dive into something difficult right away?
That’s completely fine. We can spend time building positive emotions and coping resources first, and only move into reprocessing trauma when you feel ready. I never push faster than you want to go.