Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy that helps people heal from traumatic experiences. When something overwhelming happens, the memory can get “stuck” in the brain in a way that feels just as painful in the present as it did in the past. EMDR helps your brain reprocess these memories so they no longer hold the same emotional intensity.

Instead of spending long periods talking in detail about the trauma, EMDR uses a phase-based process where I will guide you to briefly focus on the memory while engaging in gentle left-to-right movements (called bilateral stimulation). Evidence suggests that this combined movement with memory processing helps the brain “unstick” the memory and file it away properly, so it becomes easier to think about without feeling overwhelmed.

Many people find that after EMDR, the painful memory is still there, but it feels more distant, less upsetting, and easier to move forward from. EMDR is recognized as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD, but it can also help with anxiety, grief, phobias, and other difficulties that may be deeply embedded in the nervous system.

At Grounded Spirit Psychology, I may recommend EMDR alone or combine it with other approaches to best support your healing. Please feel free to contact me for more information.