We cannot erase what happened to us, but we can support our organism to heal naturally from the pain of what happened.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based somatic psychotherapy technique developed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences or distressing life events. It uses bilateral stimulation (BLS) techniques, such as eye movement, breathwork, somatic tapping, vibration, sound, and interoceptive awareness to influence brain wave activity, increase neuromodulation, and support emotional processing. By titrating with intervals of activation and relaxation, EMDR therapy stimulates the brain and body’s natural healing processes to help regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, generate resilience, and enhance mental, emotional, and physical well-being. ​

Stage 1: Renewable Resources

The first stage of EMDR therapy supports you to tap into the natural healing processes and internal resources that exist within you, but maybe you don’t even know are there. The purpose of this stage is to help you establish solid grounding so you can effectively move through deeper emotional processing. The human body and nervous system is wired for survival and adaptation. Sometimes we just need a little support to tap into our own renewable resources for thriving and transformation. In this stage, we map out connections between your past, present, and future, and we identify the blocks that are preventing growth and full expression.

Stage 2: Completing the Stress Cycle

When we experience a traumatic event, the memory/energy can get trapped inside the body. In a way, it’s the body’s way of saying, “hey, this needs more attention.” But if we don’t have the tools, time, or cultural context to give the attention that it needs to fully heal and adapt to the stress, then the body stores it away for later. This is where we can feel “stuck” in a stress cycle, replaying painful patterns. Using bilateral stimulation (BLS), we find a pacing and style that works for you. BLS is intended to be activating, which initially jumpstarts the stress cycle so that it can eventually come to completion. This is a vital stage of EMDR therapy that allows us to desensitize our nervous system, reprocess emotions, and engage in new thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are in alignment with our values.

Stage 3: Shifting into Success / Satisfaction Cycle

This stage of EMDR therapy is where we learn to move from stress to satisfaction, from nervous system regulation to adaptive system attunement. When we learn to accept, express, and create space for all of our emotions, we free up our energy to live more fully in our bodies and more fully in the present moment. We discover a renewed ability to relax, to soften our defenses, and to give thanks to our protector parts. This empowers us to stop engaging in harmful thought/behavior patterns, and it allows us to access our full potential and to experience more fulfillment and satisfaction in life.

EMDR therapy is a holistic and trauma-informed approach that creates a safe and supportive environment for healing, recognizing the unique experiences and needs of each individual.​ As a somatic intervention, we incorporate body-centered techniques to enhance self-awareness, promote emotional release, cultivate self-compassion, and restore harmony in body and mind.