EMDR Therapy

‍EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a therapy that helps people process difficult experiences and traumatic moments that affect how they think, feel, and respond to the world around them. EMDR uses a movement called bilateral stimulation to help process the memories and reduce stress. Bilateral stimulation is eye movements or tapping that cross the client’s physical middle. The goal isn’t to forget what happened, but to help your brain heal and move forward from the memory's stuck points.

EMDR has been shown to be helpful for a variety of concerns including PTSD, C-PTSD, and eating disorders. EMDR focuses on negative past events and helps the brain heal through discussion and bilateral stimulation. Often our past continues to affect our self-esteem, relationships, or sense of safety, even when we know we are no longer in that situation. EMDR also helps connect mind and body, allowing people to feel fully present during stressful moments. Regardless, we can discuss your concerns and goals to see if EMDR is a good fit.

Deep processing of trauma requires for the nervous system to feel safe. In order for that to happen, many people need several sessions in order to feel fully comfortable with the EMDR therapist and the EMDR process. Monarch’s therapists will never pressure you to go faster or further than you feel ready for.

First, you and your therapist build a space you feel comfortable within and identify what you hope to achieve in the session.

Then we shift to getting to know your experiences, at th while building skills to help you manage difficult emotions before processing memories.

During processing, your therapist will guide you through focusing on aspects of difficult experiences while using bilateral stimulation.

You may notice thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, or other memories coming up along the way. Everyone experiences EMDR differently, and the process will be adjusted to your needs.

No, absolutely not. You do not have to share every detail of a difficult experience for EMDR to help. We will need to identify the experiences or concerns we are working on, but you do not have to describe everything that happened or share more than you feel comfortable sharing. Building trust and helping you feel safe are important parts of the process. You set the tone of the session and only share what you want as you process memories at a pace that feels manageable to you.

Sometimes, difficult experiences can shape how we see ourselves and others even after the moments have passed. EMDR helps us process the memories, emotions, and beliefs connected to these experiences so they may become less distressing over time. Although the exact mechanisms behind EMDR are not fully understood, research supports its use for trauma-related concerns, particularly PTSD. The goal is to help you develop a different relationship with your experiences so your brain and body can heal.

No problem whatsoever, that just means we need to adjust our pace to match your nervous system’s readiness.

It is okay to feel nervous about the emotions that may come up during EMDR, which is why preparation and emotional safety are important parts of the process.

If you become overwhelmed we can pause, take a break, and use grounding skills to help you feel more present and settled. You are not expected to push through distress or continue when you need a break. We can adjust the pace and revisit coping skills as needed, at absolutely any time.

Progress with EMDR looks different for everyone. You may notice that difficult memories feel less distressing or that situations that once triggered strong emotional reactions become easier to navigate.

You might also begin to recognize changes in how you view yourself and others. Sometimes progress shows up in small ways, such as responding differently to a stressful situation or feeling less controlled by familiar patterns. We will check in throughout treatment to assess your progress and identify any areas that may still need attention.