EMDR

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) relies on a client's own rapid, rhythmic eye movements, and is founded on the belief that these eye movements can weaken the intensity of emotionally charged memories. EMDR is most often used to treat PTSD or other traumas, but is also sometimes used for panic attacks, eating disorders, addictions, and anxiety. EMDR sessions can last up to 90 minutes, and usually starts with a client rating their level of distress. A therapist then typically moves their fingers in front of your face (or sometimes toe tapping or musical tones), asking you to follow along with your eyes, while you recall a traumatic event and all the sensations that come with it. You will gradually be guided by the therapist to shift thoughts from the traumatic experience to a more comforting one. The goal of EMDR is to make disturbing memories less immobilizing. Think this approach might be right for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s EMDR specialists today.

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Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is an 8-phase, evidence based model to treat a variety of symptoms/issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, complex trauma, phobias, and panic attacks and is effective with children, adolescents, and adults. By processing distressing experiences/memories using EMDR, we can reduce the emotional and psychological impact on our everyday functioning leaving room for healing and growth without the weight of the past.

— Carisa Marinucci, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Las Vegas, NV

EMDR therapy has been extensively researched and proven effective for trauma-related conditions, helping clients process and integrate traumatic experiences while reducing symptoms such as flashbacks, anxiety, and emotional distress. If you are seeking an evidence-based treatment for trauma, EMDR may be a valuable option to consider for enhancing emotional well-being and recovery.

— Priscilliana (Priscilla) Torres-Mendoza, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Coral Gables, FL
 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a treatment designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories EMDR facilitates the accessing and processing of traumatic memories and other adverse life experience to bring these to an adaptive resolution EMDR facilitates accessing the traumatic memory network so that information processing is enhanced with new associations forged between the traumatic memory and more adaptive memories or information

— Maria Puentes, Psychotherapist in Altamonte Spring, FL

The neuro-physiological charge from past trauma can be reprocessed and released from the body during the re-visitation of an experience within the safety of the current moment. This release can be facilitated through the secure safety of another, such as a certified EMDR therapist.

— Angel Hirsch, Licensed Professional Counselor in Cedar Park, TX
 

EMDR is a therapeutic approach designed to help individuals heal from distressing memories and trauma. I will guide you through recalling traumatic experiences while simultaneously engaging you with bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, vibration, or sound. This process helps you reprocess the traumatic memories, reducing their emotional intensity and negative impact. Over time, EMDR allows you to integrate these memories in a way that feels less overwhelming allowing for relief.

— Joshua Davis, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CA

EMDR is an excellent tool to address the effects of trauma.

— Amy K. Cummings-Aponte, Counselor in Gainesville, FL
 

I have completed EMDR training through the EMDR International Association in order to be able to provide this life changing treatment to my clients who are having difficulty moving on from negative past experiences. EMDR is best known as a treatment for trauma, and can be used to treat symptoms of PTSD, but it can also help reduce distress associated with any negative past experience and can help people begin to see themselves in a more neutral or positive light.

— Ginny Kington, Psychologist in Duluth, GA

EMDR is a powerful and scientifically-supported therapy used to help clients work through acute trauma as well as common and universal painful experiences so they can more adaptively live in the present moment. EMDR can alleviate acute symptoms of trauma, like flashbacks and phobias, as well as lesser known effects of trauma, such as avoidance, over-reactiveness, rage, drug and alcohol abuse, and self-doubt. EMDR tends to work much more quickly than talk therapies and has lasting effects.

— Happy Apple Center for Anxiety, Depression, & Couples, Psychotherapist in New York, NY
 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is so hard to explain, but it can really help us work through things that feel stuck in our heads, like trauma. Since all of my work is online, I use online tools to help me use EMDR with my clients, but that doesn't impact the power of EMDR. I've been fully trained on both parts of EMDR. I'm also working towards being certified in EMDR, which is above and beyond simply being trained.

— Danielle Wayne, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Boise, ID

I am certified in EMDR by Humanitarian Assistance Programs (HAP). This is a somatic tool used to help those struggling with trauma and help to process their past so that it doesn't negatively affect their future. I help clients get clear on their goal, then from that goal create a treatment plan to process any traumatic memories that may be in the way of that goal. Using bilateral stimulation (eye movement or tapping), the client stays in the present moment while processing the past.

— Chrissie Bingham, Counselor in Milan, MI
 

I'm an EMDRIA Certified EMDR therapist and Consultant in Training. I've used EMDR to treat hundreds of client's for many different presenting problems.

— Rahel Hodge, Clinical Social Worker in Gilbert, AZ

Offering EMDR therapy in Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, and Florida, I help entrepreneurs process trauma, reduce anxiety, and overcome emotional barriers. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps reframe negative thought patterns and resolve past experiences. My personalized approach empowers clients to build resilience, restore confidence, and achieve lasting emotional well-being in their personal and professional lives.

— Jennifer Gray, Licensed Professional Counselor in Portland, OR
 

I offer EMDR as a treatment option for PTSD and other mental health disorders. I completed EMDR Basic Training at the beginning of 2020 and began the EMDR Certification process in January 2024.

— Kasey Joffe, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Portland, OR

I am an EMDR trained clinician and offer trauma-informed therapy. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing uses the bilateral stimulation of the brain (using eye movements, audio, and/or tapping) to process adverse experiences and build healthy resources.

— Jodi Williams, Sex Therapist in New Haven, CT
 

I have been trained in EMDR by Emdr Consulting by Paula Merucci. EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the traumatic memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation. This approach mimics the natural healing process of the brain, without the client having to go into the extreme depth of discussion of the traumatic memory.

— Daniel Westheimer, Counselor in Chicago, IL
 

I have been treating clients using EMDR since I completed my training in 2019, and I am working toward the EMDR International Association's certification. As an EMDRIA member, I am a huge fan of treating clients with trauma using this method, as it allows for processing without the need to share specific and intimate details of traumatic experiences.

— Alisa Huffman, Clinical Social Worker in Seattle, WA