Does EMDR a good fit for me?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be very effective for people who feel stuck with painful memories, body symptoms, or emotions that don’t seem to go away no matter how much they “talk it through.” It’s often a good fit if you’ve experienced trauma (big or small), struggle with anxiety, depression, or chronic pain, or notice your body reacting as if old experiences are still happening. In our work, I combine EMDR with Internal Family Systems (IFS) and somatic therapy, so the process is tailored uniquely to you and your internal world.

When EMDR (alone) may not be the best fit (at least right away):

• If you’re in an unsafe situation or active crisis

• If there’s severe dissociation without preparation

• During untreated psychosis or mania

• With active substance use

• With certain medical or neurological conditions (like recent brain injury or seizures)

• If grounding and coping skills aren’t in place yet

How long does it take to feel better?

Healing isn’t the same for everyone. Some people notice meaningful relief in just a few sessions, while others need longer-term work to gently untangle layers of trauma and stress. What I can promise is that we’ll work at your pace — never rushing your system, always respecting what feels safe — and that you’ll likely start noticing shifts along the way: sleeping better, feeling calmer, responding differently in stressful moments, or reconnecting more with yourself and others.

What does an integrated session look like?

After a thorough assessment and building some safety and resources, we often begin with a “meeting place” — a safe inner space where all your parts (aspects of your mind and body) can be invited. Your adult Self is the gentle host, while younger parts and protectors — such as anxiety, depression, anger, or even self-critical or suicidal parts — are welcome too. Together, we listen to each part, learn about its role or the pain it carries, and then use EMDR and somatic interventions to help it release what’s been stuck. The goal is to bring your whole system — body and mind — back toward balance, clarity, and healing.

I’ve tried talk therapy before and it didn’t help. How is this different?

Many of my clients come to me after feeling frustrated with traditional talk therapy. The difference here is that we don’t just talk about what happened — we also work with how your body holds the memory, how your nervous system reacts in the moment, and how different parts of you may carry the pain. This deeper, more integrative approach often brings lasting change where other methods felt stuck.

Do I have to re-live my trauma in detail?

No. In fact, one of the most important parts of this work is protecting you from overwhelm. We don’t dive into trauma before your system is ready, and we don’t need to go through every detail of what happened for healing to occur. Instead, we focus on your body’s responses, your parts’ stories, and the meaning your system has held onto — releasing what no longer serves you at a pace that feels safe.

What if I feel too overwhelmed, shut down, or disconnected during a session?

That’s completely okay — it happens often in trauma work. We’ll notice it together, and I’ll help you ground and return to safety. In fact, these moments can become powerful opportunities to understand how protective parts work and to give them the support they’ve long needed. You’ll never be left alone in those states — we’ll move through them gently and with care.

Do you only work with trauma survivors?

While trauma is a big focus of my practice, I also work with professionals experiencing burnout, parents under pressure, and people living with chronic pain or illness. Sometimes trauma is the root, sometimes it’s stress, perfectionism, or the weight of expectations — whatever your starting point, our work is about helping you reconnect with your inner balance and strength.