What is EMDR? (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach designed for working with distressing or traumatic memories. Eye movements (or other bilateral stimulation) are used to track client’s field of vision back and forth for enhance memory processing while holding a target. The process connect biological mechanisms involved in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, internal associations arise to process the memory and disturbing feelings.

EMDR doesn’t erase your memories—it helps your brain reprocess them so they no longer feel like they’re happening in the present. You may still remember what happened, but it will feel less emotionally charged and no longer define how you see yourself today.

You are in control every step of the way. Your healing will happen at your pace, with your voice centered.

What is special about trauma memories? Normal memories are stored by a part of the brain called the hippocampus. You can think of the hippocampus as a sort of librarian which catalogues (processes) events and stores them in the right place. However, some traumatic events (such as accidents, abuse, disasters, or violence) are so overwhelming that the hippocampus doesn’t do its job properly. When this happens memories are stored in their raw, unprocessed, form. These trauma memories are easily triggered, leading them to replay and cause distress over and again.

EMDR is a structured therapy that helps people heal from trauma and distressing experiences by reprocessing memories that feel "stuck." The therapy is organized into 8 distinct phases. Here's what that looks like:

Phase 1: History Taking & Treatment Planning

We begin by getting to know you—your story, your challenges, and your strengths. We explore your past experiences, current symptoms, and goals for therapy.

Phase 2: Preparation

You’ll learn tools to feel grounded and safe, such as calming techniques and ways to manage strong emotions. Before diving into difficult memories, it’s important that you feel emotionally equipped and supported.

Phase 3: Assessment

Together, you and your therapist select a specific memory to target. This phase sets the foundation for the reprocessing work. You’ll identify:

• A picture or image that represents the memory

• Negative beliefs you hold about yourself related to the memory

• Positive beliefs you want to believe instead

• Body sensations and emotions connected to the memory

Phase 4: Desensitization

This is where the processing begins. While focusing on the target memory, your therapist will guide you through sets of eye movements, tapping, or sounds (bilateral stimulation). Your brain begins to reprocess the memory naturally. Over time, the memory becomes less emotionally intense and more neutral.

Phase 5: Installation

Once the memory feels less distressing, you and your therapist strengthen the positive belief you want to hold about yourself (e.g., “I am safe now,” “I am strong,” “It wasn’t my fault”). This helps replace old, harmful beliefs with ones that support your healing.

Phase 6: Body Scan

You’ll do a gentle mental scan of your body while thinking about the memory and positive belief. This helps clear any lingering physical tension or emotional residue related to the memory.

Phase 7: Closure

Each session ends with grounding techniques to ensure you leave feeling stable and safe, even if processing is still in progress. Your well-being between sessions is important. We want you to feel in control and cared for.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

At the beginning of the next session, you and your therapist check in to see how you’re feeling and whether the memory still feels resolved. If needed, you revisit or continue processing. Healing is not always linear. We continue to work until the memory and related beliefs feel truly resolved.