Eye Movement Desenitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

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What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

It is a structured psychotherapy developed for the treatment of trauma and PTSD. EMDR works with the memories, thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and physical responses connected to distressing experiences.

During parts of EMDR, we use bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or alternating tapping, while you notice what comes up.

You remain awake and present throughout the process. EMDR is not hypnosis, and you do not lose control of what happens during the session.

The goal is not to erase a memory or convince you that what happened was okay. Instead, EMDR can help reduce the distress connected to traumatic experiences and create more flexibility in how you respond to reminders of them.

EMDR may be helpful if you…

  • Have experienced trauma or symptoms of PTSD

  • Feel overwhelmed, anxious, numb, or shut down in certain situations

  • Have memories that remain painful or difficult to think about

  • Avoid people, places, conversations, or experiences connected to something that happened

  • Struggle with trust, closeness, or conflict in relationships

  • Find yourself expecting rejection, abandonment, criticism, or harm

  • Carry persistent shame, guilt, or self-blame

  • Notice beliefs such as I'm not good enough, I'm powerless, or it's my fault

  • Understand your patterns but still have difficulty changing them

EMDR can be used to work with experiences including childhood trauma, sexual trauma, relationship abuse, traumatic loss, medical trauma, accidents, violence, and other distressing or overwhelming experiences.

EMDR at Safe to Bloom

Structured treatment. Collaborative care.

My approach to EMDR therapy at Safe to Bloom is relational, attachment-aware, embodied, and collaborative. Along with traumatic memories, we may pay attention to the beliefs you developed about yourself, patterns in relationships, emotional responses, and what you notice happening in your body.

Interested in EMDR therapy?

You don't need to know whether EMDR is the right treatment for you before reaching out.

A free 15-minute consultation gives us a chance to talk briefly about what you're looking for, answer questions about EMDR, and see whether working together feels like a good fit.

EMDR therapy for adults

In person in Kingston, Pennsylvania

Virtual throughout Pennsylvania + Maryland

Schedule your free 15 minute EMDR consultation