EMDR Therapy
Living with trauma can feel exhausting and isolating. You might find yourself caught in cycles of flashbacks, emotional overwhelm, dissociation, or nightmares, even after years of trying to move forward. The past can continue to show up in ways you didn’t ask for- shaping how safe you feel in relationships, how confident you are in yourself, or how willing you are to take risks. It can feel discouraging and lonely to want more from life while feeling stuck in survival mode.
You’re not alone in this experience, and healing is possible. With trauma-informed approaches like EMDR therapy, I can help you overcome the hold that trauma continues to have on you. We can find a way to help you reconnect with your purpose and find joy again.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy used to help people process traumatic experiences and reduce symptoms of trauma. EMDR was developed in the 1980’s and has since been extensively researched and shown to be effective in helping people heal from trauma without requiring them to relive experiences in detail.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses on how trauma is stored in the brain and body. When something overwhelming or frightening happens, such as a physical or sexual assault, caregiver neglect, or another type of shame or fear inducing situation, the brain may not fully process the memory. Instead, it can become “stuck,” continuing to trigger intense emotional and physical reactions long after the danger has passed.
When a traumatic event occurs, your body’s survival system activates. You might notice a racing heart, tight muscles, shallow breathing, or a surge of adrenaline. While the body is designed to return to a calm state afterward, trauma can interrupt this process.
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Later on, reminders of the experience, like a sound, smell, image, or situation, can cause your nervous system to react as if the trauma is happening again. These reactions are often referred to as triggers. When triggered, you may experience intense emotions, physical sensations, exhaustion, or a sense of being on edge, even when you logically know you’re safe.
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This happens because traumatic memories are stored differently than everyday experiences. While most memories are processed and integrated, traumatic memories often remain tied to the emotional and sensory parts of the brain, rather than being stored in a more neutral, narrative way.
Impacts of Trauma and Triggers
How Does EMDR Work?
Our brains and bodies have a natural ability to process and heal from experiences. One place we see this most clearly is during REM sleep, when the brain is actively sorting, integrating, and storing memories from the day. Over time, most experiences are processed and filed away so we can remember them without feeling overwhelmed.
Trauma can interrupt this natural healing process. EMDR therapy works by using the body’s innate healing mechanisms to help memories move from a state of emotional reactivity into a more calm and grounded state of being. Simply put, EMDR helps you reach a place where in the face of a trigger, your body knows, “It makes sense that I was scared in that situation before, and now, I can stay calm even when I’m reminded of it.”
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, which involves engaging both sides of the brain through rhythmic, alternating movements. This may look like eye movements from side to side, handheld tactile devices that will give a slight buzz, or audio that goes from one ear to the other. Bilateral stimulation helps activate the brain’s processing system in a way that is similar to what happens during REM sleep.
Before beginning trauma processing, we’ll spend time building trust and emotional resources. I believe strongly in pacing this work thoughtfully and collaboratively. I want to understand who you are- your values, identities, lived experiences, and what matters most to you- before diving into deeper trauma work. Then, we’ll focus on creating grounding tools so you have ways to return to a sense of safety if things ever feel overwhelming. Healing trauma can bring up shame, grief, fear, and strong emotions- and you won’t have to navigate any of that alone. We will move at a pace that honors you and your resilience.
I believe deeply in people’s capacity to heal when given the right support. EMDR therapy can be a powerful tool for reducing the impact of trauma and helping you reconnect with yourself, your relationships, and your life. If trauma has been keeping you stuck or holding you back from the life you want, I’d be honored to support you!
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If you’re curious about EMDR and want to see whether it might be a good fit, you’re welcome to reach out to schedule a free consultation.
My Approach to EMDR
Phone
Address
(313) 242-7412
3300 Washtenaw Ave #282, Ann Arbor, MI 48104