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Navigating a Stressful World

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, known as EMDR, is a highly researched and very effective treatment model used to treat the emotional and physical effects of trauma and PTSD. 

Trauma can mean different things to different people. The traumatic events that you experienced might not be like the traumas we see on TV. Trauma is best defined as anything that was devastating or life changing when it happened, and it still causes an emotional or physical reaction when you think of it now. EMDR is an evidence based model of treatment that can help reduce or eliminate much of the trauma response. 

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Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, known as EMDR, is a highly researched and very effective treatment model used to treat the emotional and physical effects of trauma and PTSD. 

Trauma can mean different things to different people. The traumatic events that you experienced might not be like the traumas we see on TV. Trauma is best defined as anything that was devastating or life changing when it happened, and it still causes an emotional or physical reaction when you think of it now. EMDR is an evidence based model of treatment that can help reduce or eliminate much of the trauma response. 

Weekly EMDR Sessions

This treatment option is available to clients who have the flexibility in their schedule to commit to weekly appointments. Weekly, 55-minute, EMDR therapy is covered by many health insurance plans, which may reduce your out of pocket expenses. This treatment option allows for ongoing support for clients who want a slower pace working through their trauma. 

What to expect in 55-minute EMDR sessions

Each session begins with a check in of new insights and side effects that were experienced between sessions as well as setting up the target memory for treatment in session. Depending on the events of the week, opening the session takes 10-30 minutes. EMDR reprocessing of the target memory, ranging from 20-40 minutes. Containing the emotions that were uncovered and closing the session, typically 5-10 minutes.

Work with me in weekly EMDR through Navigating a Stressful World LLC

EMDR Intensive Programs 

Perhaps you are needing help dealing with trauma - right now- and don't want to wait, spending months in the traditional, weekly model of therapy to feel better. Perhaps your schedule just doesn't allow for the weekly interruption of time spent both in therapy and on self-care following appointments. If so, the EMDR Intensive Programs may be the best choice for you. 


The Intensive EMDR Programs are ideal for clients who want to expedite their treatment results. You are given exclusive access to appointments reserved  for the intensive program, typically starting within a few weeks. With multiple sessions compacted into one day, you reduce the amount of time spent opening and closing each session therefore increasing the amount of progress you can make. The intensive appointment length allows you to end your session at a much lower level of distress and with potentially fewer side effects following your treatment session, compared to a series of 55-minute appointments. By having this dedicated chunk of time devoted to treatment you increase the percentage of session tune spent addressing the memories and symptoms that brought you to treatment.   

Work with me in EMDR Intensive Programs through 

Navigating a Stressful World, Intensive Programs LLC

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How Does EMDR Help?

EMDR is an 8 phase, research-based, treatment approach proven to reduce the symptoms of PTSD.  Through treatment, you reduce the dissonance, or disagreement, between your logical and emotional perceptions of both the past and current events. When you have finished EMDR you will be able to recall the traumatic event with an awareness that it was traumatizing, but no longer experiencing the emotional or physical reactions along with that awareness. 

The 8 Phases of EMDR


Phase 1: History Taking and Assessment

Treatment begins the same way that many treatment approaches do, with information gathering. Your therapist will collect an extensive history, looking for significant life events and drawing connections between the events from your past and the symptoms that brought you to treatment today. A treatment plan is then developed, with your EMDR therapist, to identify (1) the current situation(s) causing you distress, (2) the memories from the past that created the current distress, and (3) the skills and beliefs needed to be successful in future situations. The process of history taking and assessment typically takes place in the assessment appointment of the EMDR Intensive Program or two to three, 55-minute appointments and is revisited throughout treatment as new information arises, and additional history taking or treatment planning is warranted.

The 8 Phases of EMDR

Phase 2: Preparation       


During the preparation phase you will learn more about what to expect in your desensitization sessions. Additionally, you will develop resources to increase your confidence and sense of calm. These resources can be utilized both in and out of sessions to reduce distress in overwhelming situations. Finally in this phase you will learn visualizations and physical techniques to utilize between sessions to reduce distress and contain the upsetting memories. The preparation phase typically takes place during both the assessment appointment and the initial 45 minutes of the processing appointment with the EMDR intensive program or one to two, 55-minute appointments, but can take longer for individuals working to increase their emotional stability prior to beginning EMDR.

The 8 Phases of EMDR

Phase 3: Assessment 

In this phase you will access your traumatic memory. You will start this process by recalling specific or symbolic images of the selected memory.  You will then work with your therapist to identify the negative belief about yourself, as you recall the trauma. Often people find that they logically know the negative belief is untrue, but they experience an emotional reaction to the belief, indicating unresolved feelings. After identifying the negative belief, you will notice the emotions and physical sensations that arise when thinking of this memory and belief. You will rate the intensity of these reactions on a scale of 0-10. You then chose a positive belief that you would like to replace the negative one. It is important that the positive belief be a realistic reflection of present day circumstances. For example, the negative belief may be “I'm not safe” while the positive belief could be “I am safe now.” Once identified, you will rate the positive belief on a scale from completely false to completely true. The assessment phase typically takes 10-30 minutes and will be revisited for any additional memories that need to be targeted. 

The goal of your EMDR treatment is to reduce the negative emotional and physical response to 0 and increase strength of the positive belief to completely true. 
The 8 Phases of EMDR
Phase 4: Desensitization
Desensitization is the work of your brain reducing the distress and increasing the positive belief for the identified trauma. This shift is done through the use of bilateral stimulation (BLS). BLS can be done by having you follow back and forth with your eyes, holding tapers that buzz back and forth in your hands, or even wearing headphones that beep on alternating sides. This stimulation of the brain allows you to make significant changes in the way you think and feel about your trauma, in a very short amount of time. These changes are similar to the changes that you might have the morning after an argument. There are likely times you have woken up and noticed a sense of calm or understanding that you did not have the night before. Logically however, this change does not make sense. You didn't get new information or have a conversation with the person who upset you; nothing changed. But while you slept your brain took the information that you already had, and used it to create new perceptions of the already completed situation. This allowed you to develop new insights and reduce the negative emotions attached to it.  Through EMDR you will attain similar results; shifting your perceptions and reducing your distress. Clients coming to treatment with a single-event trauma often are able to complete phases 4-8 in 4 to 6, 55-minute sessions and have the possibility of completing it in a single, half-day Intensive processing session.
The 8 Phases of EMDR
Phase 5: Installation
Once your distress about the past trauma has been eliminated you will work with your therapist to increase the strength the positive belief. BLS is continued in this phase while focusing on the memory and the new positive belief.
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Phase 6: Body Scan
Once you have completely installed the new positive belief you will scan your body for any physical reactions or distress. Even when we logically have moved past a trauma and believe the positive belief, it is not until the physical reactions are resolved that we are truly able to move past the traumatic event.

Phase 7: Closure
At the conclusion of each session, time is dedicated to returning to a state of calm in your thoughts and body so that you can return to your day. The closure process will take 5-10 minutes at the end of each session.
The 8 Phases of EMDR
Phase 8: Reevaluation
At the beginning of subsequent sessions your therapist will begin by reassessing your treatment goals, noting any insights or effects following your previous session and revisiting your target memory assessing for any changes since the last session. 


Future Templates
Following the completion of a target memory you will use the newly strengthened positive belief(s) to build your skills and confidence in difficult future situations. Often 3-5 future templates can be completed in a single session. The 3-prong approach of EMDR includes the Resolution of distress around the memory from the past; resolving the symptoms currently experienced; and increasing your sense of capability in future situations with future templates. Addressing all three areas allows you to move forward without the negative impact of the events from your past dictating your emotional experience or decision making. 
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Adjuct EMDR

If you are already working with your own therapist and don't want to make a change to start EMDR, you don't have to. I offer Adjunctive EMDR Collaboration for clients to add to their current therapy progress. 
​I will collaborate with your current therapist to ensure the best results.

At times, in traditional talk therapy, we find “stuck points” that we are unable to move past. It can feel like our logic and gut reactions are at odds, arguing and keeping us trapped in our old patterns. And we find ourselves repeating the same negative self-talk or harmful behaviors. In these situations your primary therapist may recommend Adjunct EMDR. Adjunct EMDR is not a replacement for your primary therapy. Rather, it is a goal specific treatment to help initiate change around an identified memory or intrusive thought. In Adjunct EMDR targeted thoughts do not have to be tied to a highly traumatic memory. In the Assessment Appointment we will work to identify the underlying memories or relationship dynamics that “birthed” this pattern of thinking. Treatment is often brief and is most effective in the EMDR Intensive Program. Success of your treatment depends on clearly defined goals for your EMDR therapist, created in collaboration with you and your primary therapist.

There is an extensive and growing body of research supporting the effectiveness of EMDR. Below is merely a sampling of the available research.

Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and EMDR are the only treatments recommended by the World Health Organization for treatment of trauma. 

More than twenty randomized studies support EMDR therapy as an effective and efficient treatment of trauma.

Seven of ten studies reported EMDR therapy to be more rapid and/or more effective than trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.
Twelve randomized studies of the eye movement component noted rapid decreases in negative emotions and/or vividness of disturbing images.

Schedule a 15-minute consultation today!

I would love to connect with you in-person, online, or over the phone to answer your questions about EMDR to help you decide whether EMDR is the right step for your treatment. 

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