EMDR Therapy

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy that helps people heal from trauma, anxiety, and other distressing life experiences. Sometimes difficult experiences become "stuck" in the brain and nervous system, leading to emotional distress, negative beliefs about oneself, and physical or emotional reactions that persist long after the event has passed.

EMDR helps the brain reprocess these experiences in a structured and supported way so they feel less overwhelming and disruptive. Rather than focusing only on talking about what happened, EMDR helps you process the memories, emotions, beliefs, and body sensations connected to those experiences — allowing for deeper healing and lasting change.

Many clients notice that EMDR helps them feel less triggered by past experiences, more grounded in themselves, and better able to respond to life with greater calm and confidence. While EMDR is widely known for treating trauma and PTSD, it can also be helpful for anxiety, panic, grief, life transitions, and negative self-beliefs.

As an EMDRIA Approved Therapist, I incorporate this approach to help clients move beyond surviving and begin thriving.

What EMDR Can Help With

• Complex Trauma

• PTSD

• Anxiety

• Panic attacks

• Disturbing memories

• Negative self-beliefs

• Life transitions

• Grief and loss

What Does EMDR Feel Like?

EMDR experiences vary from person to person, depending on individual history and the memories being processed. Many clients describe it as a wave-like process, where emotions, thoughts, images, and physical sensations may come and go as the memory is explored.

During sessions, we move at a pace that feels safe and manageable, with regular check-ins to support grounding and emotional regulation. My role is to help you stay within a tolerable level of activation while your brain naturally processes and integrates more adaptive perspectives.

Clients often notice shifts in how they view the memory, themselves, or their sense of safety. Many describe feeling lighter or more at ease afterward, though the process can also be emotionally tiring at times. EMDR is structured to support both processing and stabilization throughout.

Common Questions

How many sessions will I need?
This varies from person to person depending on your history, goals, and how your nervous system responds to processing. Some clients notice meaningful shifts in just a few sessions, while others benefit from longer term work. We'll discuss this together during your intake and revisit it as we go.

Is EMDR right for me?
EMDR can be a good fit if you find yourself stuck in patterns of anxiety, reactivity, or self-doubt that don't seem to shift with insight alone — or if you sense that past experiences are showing up in your present life in ways that feel hard to control. The best way to find out is to have a conversation.

Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?
No. One of the things clients often appreciate about EMDR is that you don't have to narrate every detail of what happened. The processing works even when you hold the memory internally, which many people find less retraumatizing than traditional talk therapy approaches.

Ready to take the next step?

I'd love to connect and talk about whether EMDR might be a good fit for you. Reach out today to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.

Meredith Adams, MS, LCPC | EMDRIA Approved Therapist