Our brain often incorrectly stores traumatic memories in our immediate, present day memories. EMDR allows for the brain's natural process of digesting memories to engage, that way these memories can be properly stored in the past. The eye movements mimic REM sleep, where our brain does most of its processing and healing. 

​

In our EMDR work, we will first build window of tolerance expanding resources and coping skills to allow processing memories, triggers, and fears to be possible. We will plan together what current issues and symptoms to work on, and what memories to target with the eye movements. Part of EMDR is not only processing the memories, but processing present day triggers and future worries. We will also attend to negative cognitions that have developed due to these traumas, replacing them with adaptive beliefs. 

​

EMDR can be helpful in working with persistent issues and traumas that haven't been resolved with other types of therapies. EMDR can be used to treat childhood trauma, sexual trauma, domestic violence, substance use, disordered eating, intrusive thoughts, dissociation,  c-PTSD, PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

​

EMDR is an evidence based treatment for trauma, developed by trauma therapist Francine Shapiro. EMDR has been extensively researched and is recognized as an effective treatment for trauma by institutions such as the WHO & APA.

​

Due to the nature of EMDR, I am not able to safely work with clients who are suicidal, have a life threatening addiction, or need more skills based therapy like DBT. If you need referrals for this kind of care, I will do my best to provide them!

​

You can learn more about EMDR here.

​

I have taken advanced training in EMDR for dissociation, parts work/IFS, and OCD. I also offer sliding scale EMDR sessions for queer & trans people of color.

​