Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of therapy that uses light, sound, or vibrations to engage both hemispheres of the brain (“bilateral stimulation”) in reprocessing trauma and other challenging experiences. It can be the main tool we use in therapy or something that we work in alongside other approaches. No client ever “has to” do EMDR, but some clients find it supportive.
Some EMDR clients share in detail about the trauma they’ve experienced and the memories they are working with, while others don’t have specific memories or choose not to share verbally.
Regardless, EMDR work starts with resourcing, establishing ways to stay safe enough and to care for yourself, even when you are activated, triggered, or remembering traumatic experiences. We work at your pace to reprocesses painful experiences, lessening the impact they have on your everyday life.
As with any trauma work, EMDR can’t change what you’ve experienced, but it can help you live with more spaciousness.
We can do EMDR in our 55-minute session, but if you are self-pay and able to afford 90-minute sessions, this is often helpful and provides more processing time.
