EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic approach that helps you process difficult experiences and emotions. While EMDR and hypnosis are distinct processes, they share similar intentions—both work with subconscious processing to facilitate healing.

The bilateral stimulation in EMDR (eye movements, tapping, or sounds) helps your brain process information, similar to what happens naturally during REM sleep. I sometimes integrate both EMDR and hypnosis (Hypno-EMDR) as complementary tools, tailoring the approach based on what serves your healing best.

While EMDR is highly effective for trauma, it supports healing across a wide range of concerns—anxiety, depression, limiting beliefs, fears, relationship patterns, physical symptoms, and more. You don't need a trauma diagnosis or any specific diagnosis to benefit from EMDR.

Bilateral stimulation is a core component of EMDR's effectiveness. Research supports that the alternating left-right stimulation activates both hemispheres of the brain and mimics the natural processing that occurs during REM sleep. It's not a gimmick—it's a tool that helps your nervous system do what it naturally knows how to do: process and integrate experiences.

Absolutely not. You never have to explain what happened to you in detail. EMDR accesses just enough of your inner experience to release, restore, and help you learn new patterns—without requiring you to revisit or relive traumatic events. This is the beauty of our body’s wisdom.

We work with memory fragments, body sensations, and the energetic imprint of experiences rather than detailed narratives. This is one of the most powerful aspects of EMDR: healing happens without having to repeatedly tell your story or immerse yourself in traumatic details.

Physical sensations can occur during and sometimes after EMDR sessions as your body processes and releases stored energy. Think of it like the soreness you might feel after a good physical workout—your body is doing deep work and sometimes needs recovery time.

These sensations are part of EMDR's holistic nature, addressing both the energy and matter of your experiences. In this way, healing happens not just mentally or emotionally, but throughout your whole system. Any physical effects are typically mild and temporary, and I help you prepare with self-care strategies.

Many people worry that EMDR will be overwhelming or destabilizing. The truth is, emotions do arise during processing—that's part of healing. However, with proper stabilization and personalized grounding techniques, no experience during EMDR should be worse than what you've already been living with or have lived through.

I spend extensive time building your foundation before any memory processing begins. We develop grounding skills tailored specifically to you, connect you with your ideal self, and create emotional space for restoration and release. I also use parts therapy and intentional embodiment practices alongside processing to keep you supported and present throughout our work.

You remain in complete control throughout EMDR, actually the process supports in you regaining your sense of control. While strong emotions can arise, this is part of the healing process and happens within a safe, contained space. I use pacing, grounding techniques, and careful titration to ensure the process remains manageable. You can pause or stop at any time. EMDR is about empowering you, not overwhelming you.

This is a common misconception. Rather than working with individual memories, we work together with your belief systems and memory fragments as part of a larger interconnected tapestry. You don't need to be "ready" in the traditional sense because we're not diving into detailed trauma narratives.

My approach is integrative and holistic, focusing on creating the right conditions for natural healing rather than forcing readiness. We work at your pace, using strategies that make space for what wants to emerge naturally.

It's common for people to experience more vivid dreams during EMDR therapy. This is actually a positive sign—your brain continues processing during sleep, much like it does naturally during REM cycles. While dreams can sometimes be intense, they typically become less frequent and disturbing as therapy progresses.

These dreams are part of your brain's natural healing process, reorganizing and integrating memories in a healthier way. Most people find that their sleep actually improves overall and dreams become a wonderland of continued self-exploration.

This is an important concern, and it's exactly why proper training and a client-centered approach matter so much. I never leave you in a heightened state of distress. Each session includes careful pacing and closure techniques to ensure you feel grounded and stable before we end.

If processing feels incomplete, we use containment techniques and grounding practices to help you feel safe and regulated. EMDR is not about forcing completion in one session—it's about honoring your nervous system's natural pace and ensuring you feel resourced throughout.

If you're reading this, part of you is likely ready. All that's truly required is an open heart and mind. My process is gentle and grounded in supporting a calm, regulated state while integrating various parts of yourself. You don't need to relive the worst parts of your life to heal—in fact, my approach is designed to help you process difficult experiences without reliving them! We'll work at your pace, building resources and safety in your body. Many clients feel nervous and ready at the same time—that's completely normal.

EMDR isn't a one-size-fits-all protocol, and bilateral stimulation can be used in various ways to support your unique healing process. The journey isn't linear, and what works varies from person to person.

Think of it this way: REM sleep is a universal human experience—our brains naturally process information through bilateral movement during dreaming. EMDR harnesses this natural healing capacity intentionally. There are multiple forms of bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, sounds), and we can adapt the approach to what resonates with your nervous system.

EMDR can work more efficiently than some traditional therapies, but it's not instant or superficial. Real healing takes time and requires active participation. Some people notice shifts relatively quickly, while others need more sessions depending on the complexity of their experiences and belief systems.

The bilateral stimulation facilitates your brain's natural processing, but integration happens gradually and safely. Quality matters more than speed.

This is a misunderstanding. EMDR is actually the opposite of dissociation—it helps you integrate experiences that may have been fragmented or disconnected. I use practices that support you in connecting to dissociated parts of yourself in a way that facilitates wholeness, not fragmentation.

Through processing, you become more present, embodied, and connected to yourself rather than detached or numb. The goal is integration and wholeness, not avoidance or disconnection.

Yes! In fact, working with dissociation is one of my areas of focus. The concern about EMDR and dissociation comes from approaches that rush into processing without adequate stabilization. I use practices that support you in connecting to dissociated parts of yourself in a way that facilitates wholeness, not fragmentation.

We take extensive time building your capacity to stay present and grounded before any memory processing. This makes EMDR not only safe but highly effective for people who dissociate—the key is having a therapist who understands how to work skillfully with dissociation rather than avoiding it.

Not at all. While EMDR has a structured framework, how therapists apply it varies significantly. Some therapists follow rigid protocols that may not feel safe or appropriate for everyone. My approach is client-centered and adaptive—I use EMDR and bilateral stimulation as tools that serve you, not rigid protocols that you have to fit into.

This is why finding a properly trained therapist who prioritizes stabilization and centers your experience is crucial. Unfortunately, inadequate training or rushing the process can cause harm, which is why my extensive stabilization phase and individualized approach make such a difference.

Sometimes EMDR can bring awareness to memories or experiences that haven't been at the forefront of your consciousness. This can feel surprising or intense, but it's important to know that these aren't "false memories"—they're aspects of your experience that were already there, just not fully accessible out of protection (there goes your bodily wisdom, again).

I always tell people: nothing comes up that your body doesn't already know. You're just getting on the engine of the train, not the caboose. Your body has been carrying these experiences; we're simply helping your conscious mind catch up to restore what your system already holds.

When this happens, we work with these memories just as we would with any other material—gently, at your pace, with full support and grounding. You're never alone in processing what emerges, and we only work with what you're ready to integrate.

EMDR works only with existing memories and experiences already present in your mind and body. Research has consistently shown that EMDR does not create false memories. The process helps you reprocess what actually happened to you, not implant new information. I work with what's already there—helping you integrate and make sense of real experiences.

No. EMDR doesn't erase anything. It changes your relationship to memories and experiences, ultimately changing your relationship with yourself. The goal is to help you remember your experiences without the overwhelming emotional charge, allowing you to integrate them into your life story in a healthier way.

This is a common fear, but EMDR does not make symptoms permanently worse when done properly. Temporary increases in awareness or emotional sensitivity can happen as you process, but these are part of the healing journey—not a worsening of your condition.

My extensive stabilization phase and careful pacing ensure that you have the resources and support needed to move through any temporary discomfort. The goal is always integration and relief, and research consistently shows that EMDR leads to lasting symptom reduction, not permanent worsening.

This is an excellent question. Look for therapists who are trained and/or certified in EMDR through recognized organizations like EMDRIA (EMDR International Association). Beyond certification, ask about their approach to stabilization, how they work with distress, and their experience with cases similar to yours.

A qualified EMDR therapist should prioritize your safety, spend adequate time in preparation phases, never rush you into processing, and be able to explain their approach clearly. Trust your instincts—if something feels rushed or uncomfortable, it's okay to ask questions or seek a different provider.

EMDR isn't necessarily "better" than other therapies—it's different. In fact, each therapy uses a little of the other. Unlike traditional talk therapy or CBT, EMDR doesn't require you to talk extensively about your trauma or analyze it cognitively. Unlike exposure therapy, you don't have to repeatedly immerse yourself into activating content.

EMDR works more directly with how memories are stored neurologically and addresses subconscious programming—the emotional states, somatic experiences, and body-held patterns that are interconnected to limiting beliefs. This makes it possible to create shifts at a deeper level than cognitive understanding alone can reach especially for people with complex trauma experiences.

Many people who haven't responded well to other therapies find relief with EMDR (and hypnotherapy) because it accesses and transforms these deeper layers. That said, the best therapy is the one that resonates with you with a skilled, attuned therapist.