Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused therapy that helps the brain and body process experiences that still feel unresolved. When we experience something overwhelming, our brains don’t always have the opportunity to fully process what happened. Sometimes an experience can remain “stuck,” continuing to influence the way we think, feel, respond, or experience our bodies—even long after the event itself is over. EMDR helps create the conditions for your brain to reprocess these experiences in a way that allows them to become less emotionally and physically charged.

 

You don't have to talk about everything in detail.

One of the things people often appreciate about EMDR is that healing doesn't necessarily require you to repeatedly retell or relive every detail of a difficult experience. Instead, EMDR uses a structured process that engages your brain's natural capacity for processing and healing. This can include bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds, while you briefly connect with aspects of an experience. Over time, the goal is for the memory to feel more like something that happened rather than something that is still happening.

 

How can EMDR help?

EMDR was originally developed to treat PTSD and trauma, but it can also be helpful for experiences that continue to affect the way you see yourself, your relationships, or your ability to move through the world.

EMDR may be helpful if you experience:

• Anxiety or feeling constantly “on alert”

• Trauma or PTSD symptoms

• Intrusive memories or unwanted thoughts

• Emotional reactions that feel bigger than the situation

• Difficulty feeling safe or grounded

• Shame, guilt, or negative beliefs about yourself

• Relationship patterns that you want to understand and change

• Body-based responses to past experiences

• Grief, loss, or difficult life transitions

• Experiences that you logically understand but still feel emotionally or physically affected by

You don't have to identify as having “trauma” for EMDR to be worth exploring. Sometimes the experiences that shape us are obvious; sometimes they're subtle, cumulative, or difficult to put into words.

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EMDR and the body

At Grounded in Growth, I take a whole-person approach to healing. That means we don't just explore what is happening in your thoughts, but we also pay attention to what is happening in your body. Your body can hold onto experiences in ways that aren't always conscious. You might notice tension, a racing heart, a pit in your stomach, shutting down, feeling disconnected, or a strong urge to fight, flee, or avoid something. EMDR allows us to work with both the mind and body, creating opportunities to notice these responses with curiosity rather than judgment. The goal is to create enough safety and awareness that your nervous system can begin to learn and integrate that you are safe.

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What does an EMDR session look like?

EMDR isn't something we jump into on day one. Before beginning reprocessing, we'll spend time getting to know you, understanding what brings you to therapy, and building tools that help you feel grounded and regulated. Feeling safe and having a sense of choice are essential parts of the process. When you're ready, we'll identify experiences, beliefs, emotions, and body sensations that you'd like to work through. During reprocessing, I'll guide you through bilateral stimulation while you notice what comes up. You remain in control throughout the process. You don't have to share anything you're not ready to share, and we'll move at a pace that feels manageable for you. EMDR can look different for everyone. Some people experience noticeable shifts quickly, while others benefit from a slower, more gradual process.

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I've included two videos that help provide an understanding of how EMDR works and what EMDR looks like. I'm always available to discuss more about this process. Feel free to connect with me via email with any questions about EMDR or Grounded in Growth's approach.