EMDR has gained popularity in recent years but was developed in 1987. You’ve probably heard of it somewhere in the media or from a friend. It seems to be everywhere—often described as the thing that can help with everything. To be honest, I was skeptical at first. I waited years before getting trained because I wanted to see real evidence, not just buzz. But over time, I noticed how many people genuinely reported benefits, so I decided to get trained in it myself.
EMDR isn’t a magic cure or a mysterious new method—it’s a structured, research-supported approach that helps the brain process memories and experiences that still feel “stuck.”
In my practice, I use EMDR as an adjunct to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) when it feels like the right fit or when a person is curious or stuck and we decide to try something different.
In simple terms, EMDR helps your brain revisit and reprocess difficult memories so they can lose their emotional intensity. You might think of it as untangling knots that have been held in your body and mind for a long time. EMDR is known as a “bottom up” approach, meaning it works with the body’s physical responses and sensory experiences rather than relying solely on cognitive or verbal techniques.
One foot in the present, one foot in the past.
The process involves recalling certain experiences while engaging in what’s called bilateral stimulation—often through eye movements, tapping, or gentle alternating vibrations in your hands using a handheld device. This keeps you anchored in the present moment (one foot here, one foot in the past) as your mind makes new, more adaptive connections.
You don’t have to talk in detail about the trauma. In fact, that’s one of the reasons many people prefer EMDR. You simply notice what comes up—memories, sensations, emotions—and let your attention move with them. It’s less about analysis and more about allowing your mind’s natural healing process to do what it already knows how to do.
Ready to begin? Reach out and let’s get started.
EMDR draws from several therapeutic traditions that have been around for decades—mindfulness, somatic awareness, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and exposure techniques. The goal is desensitization (that’s the “D” in EMDR) and reprocessing (the “R”)—so that memories or sensations that once felt overwhelming can be experienced with more distance and less distress.
Think of it a bit like being on a train watching the scenery pass by—you’re not trying to force anything or make sense of everything all at once. You’re simply noticing what arises and allowing it to move through. That “letting go” quality is part of what makes EMDR surprisingly mindful.
It’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. Some people find it deeply helpful, while others prefer more traditional talk therapy. The work is collaborative, and we decide together if EMDR feels like a fit for your goals and readiness.
This is something I hear often. You don’t have to have a “Big T” trauma or a PTSD diagnosis to benefit from EMDR. Many people carry what’s often called “little t” trauma—accumulated stress, chronic self-doubt, painful relationships, or lingering feelings of shame.
These experiences can still live in the body and shape the way you see yourself.
EMDR can be useful for that kind of pain, too. Sometimes it helps uncover insights that talking alone hasn’t reached. Sometimes it simply offers a new kind of relief—a soothing of what has felt charged or unresolved for too long.
Being trained in EMDR means I can integrate it directly into the work we’re already doing together without you having to go to another therapist for specialized treatment. Because safety and trust are essential to this process, I wanted to offer EMDR in my practice in an integrated way. Some people I work with never do it, some do it a little and some a lot. You’ll always have space to pause, reflect, and decide what feels right for you.
Most people describe EMDR as surprisingly intuitive once it begins—structured, yes, but not mechanical. It offers room for your inner wisdom to surface in ways that words sometimes can’t reach. As we learn more about the nervous system, it makes sense that somatic and mindfulness-based therapies like EMDR are becoming valuable companions to traditional talk therapy.
You deserve support that fits you. Let’s begin—book a session today.
If you’re curious about EMDR—or if you’ve tried talk therapy before and feel like something’s still missing—we can explore whether this approach might be helpful for you.
Taking that first step can feel uncertain, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Contact me if you’d like to learn more or talk about how EMDR might fit into your therapy process.
If you’re ready to make an appointment you can go ahead and schedule here.
I’ll review your appointment request and if it looks like I can help, I’ll accept the appointment and look forward to meeting you.
Not sure yet or have questions? Feel free to email me or book a free 15 minute call and we’ll have a conversation about your needs and see if we might be a good fit.
We’ll meet for your first session either online or in-person in West Des Moines and begin getting to know each other.
We’ll talk about what’s been going on and what you’re hoping for.
The first appointment will give us the time and space to really discuss what your needs are and get a sense of whether we’d work well together.
Therapy with me is collaborative and flexible.
Go at your own pace, get unstuck and build a life you love.
