Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help people heal from the emotional impact of distressing or traumatic experiences.
When something overwhelming happens, the brain may not fully process the experience. Instead, the memory can become “stuck,” along with the original thoughts, emotions, and body sensations. This is why people may continue to feel triggered, anxious, or distressed long after an event is over.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess these experiences so they are no longer as emotionally intense. Rather than erasing memories, EMDR allows you to remember what happened without feeling overwhelmed by it. Many clients experience relief from symptoms such as anxiety, intrusive thoughts, negative beliefs, and emotional reactivity.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
EMDR therapy works by activating the brain’s natural healing processes.
During EMDR sessions, you’ll briefly focus on a distressing memory while also engaging in bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones). This dual attention process helps the brain “unstick” the memory and reprocess it in a more adaptive way.
Over time, the memory becomes less vivid and less emotionally charged. Negative beliefs (such as “I’m not safe” or “I’m not enough”) can shift into more balanced, supportive beliefs (like “I’m safe now” or “I can handle this”).
EMDR does not require you to go into extensive detail about your experiences. Instead, it allows your brain to do the work of healing in a structured, supportive way.
EMDR for Reproductive Trauma and the Perinatal Period
The reproductive and perinatal period can be deeply meaningful, but also incredibly vulnerable. Experiences such as miscarriage, infertility, pregnancy complications, birth trauma, or postpartum challenges can leave lasting emotional impacts that are often misunderstood or minimized.
EMDR is especially well-suited for this time because it gently helps process both recent and past experiences that may be contributing to distress.
EMDR can support individuals who are:
Coping with miscarriage, pregnancy loss, or infertility
Processing a difficult or traumatic birth experience
Navigating anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum
Struggling with feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame
Preparing for a subsequent pregnancy after loss or trauma
Because EMDR targets how distress is stored in the brain and body, it can help reduce triggers, ease anxiety, and restore a sense of safety and trust in oneself.
EMDR can be adapted to meet the needs of those who are actively trying to conceive, currently pregnant, or in the postpartum period. The approach is paced carefully to ensure emotional stability and support throughout the process.
Many clients find that EMDR not only helps them process what they’ve been through, but also allows them to move forward with greater clarity, resilience, and hope.
What to Expect in an EMDR Session
EMDR therapy follows a structured, collaborative approach, and we move at a pace that feels safe for you.
In the early sessions, we focus on getting to know your history, identifying goals, and building coping tools to help you feel grounded and supported. You won’t begin processing difficult memories until you feel ready.
During EMDR processing sessions, you’ll be guided to bring a specific memory to mind while engaging in bilateral stimulation. Throughout the process, you’ll simply notice what comes up (thoughts, feelings, images, or body sensations) without needing to analyze or explain them.
You are always in control. You can pause at any time, and we will regularly check in to make sure you feel supported.
At the end of each session, we take time to help you return to a place of stability so you can leave feeling grounded.