EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a therapeutic approach that is used to help people move past trauma, anxiety, and negative self-beliefs. It guides the brain to reprocess memories, so they no longer hold the same weight, creating space for relief and new ways of seeing yourself

Sometimes our brains do not fully process difficult or traumatic experiences the way they are meant to. Normally, when something upsetting happens, your brain processes the event, stores it as a memory, and allows it to fade naturally into the background. But if an experience is too intense or overwhelming, the brain’s processing system can become disrupted. The memory, along with the emotions, body sensations, and negative beliefs formed in that moment, can get “stuck.”

When that happens, reminders of the experience such as a sound, smell, place, or even a thought can make it feel as though the event is happening all over again. This is why people sometimes continue to struggle with anxiety, low self-esteem, or painful emotions long after the event has passed.

EMDR helps the brain finish what it could not complete at the time. During an EMDR session, you focus briefly on the memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation such as gentle back and forth eye movements, tapping, or sounds. This rhythm activates both sides of the brain, allowing it to reprocess the memory and integrate it into your broader life story.

Through this process, the memory becomes unstuck. The emotional intensity begins to fade, and the brain is able to link the once distressing experience with more adaptive information such as “I’m safe now,” “It wasn’t my fault,” or “I have control.”

The brain’s integration process is similar to how physical healing works. When you get a cut, your body knows how to repair itself unless something blocks the process. EMDR removes those mental and emotional blocks, allowing your mind to complete its natural healing cycle. Over time, the memory remains, but it no longer holds power over how you think, feel, or respond in the present.

If you have ever thought:

• "I just cannot move past this."

• "I know it is over, but it still feels so real."

• "Why cannot I stop reacting this way?

People who struggle with:

• Trauma or PTSD

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Grief and loss

• Low self-esteem or self-worth

• Phobias and fears

• Feeling “stuck” even after traditional talk therapy

EMDR begins with a foundation of safety and trust. Together, we identify the experiences or beliefs that feel most limiting. During a session, I guide you through gentle bilateral stimulation. While this happens, your brain naturally reprocesses the memory, reducing its intensity and creating space for new, more balanced beliefs. Every step happens at your pace, and you are always in control of the process

At the root of many emotional struggles are core beliefs — deeply held conclusions we’ve formed about ourselves, others, or the world. These beliefs often begin in childhood or during painful life experiences when our brains were doing their best to make sense of hurt, fear, or rejection.

Core beliefs can sound like:
“I’m not good enough.”
“I don’t matter.”
“I’m unsafe.”
“People always leave.”

Even when we know these beliefs aren’t rational, they can feel true in the body. They shape how we see ourselves, how we show up in relationships, and how much peace we allow ourselves to feel.

EMDR helps uncover and heal the experiences that created those beliefs. Using bilateral stimulation (gentle eye movements, tapping, or sounds), EMDR helps the brain reprocess those moments so they’re no longer “stuck” in the nervous system.

As the brain integrates new, healthier information, the emotional charge connected to those old memories begins to release. The belief “I’m not safe” may shift to “I survived, and I’m safe now.” The belief “I’m not enough” may transform into “I am worthy and capable.”

Over time, this process helps you build a more grounded sense of self. One not defined by the pain of the past, but by your current truth, strength, and resilience.

Trauma is any experience that overwhelms your ability to cope. While many people think of trauma as disasters or life-threatening events, it can also be quieter and harder to name. Trauma can come from repeated stress, painful relationships, or the absence of the care and safety you needed.

Attachment trauma, for example, may develop when caregivers were emotionally unavailable, inconsistent, or unable to meet your needs. These early experiences can shape how you see yourself, how safe you feel in relationships, and how you respond to stress as an adult.

Trauma isn’t just about what happened—it’s about how your mind and body adapted in order to survive. Over time, those survival strategies may become patterns that feel limiting or overwhelming, even if they once helped you get through difficult situations.