EMDR Therapy
Healing from the Inside Out: Understanding EMDR
Sometimes, life brings experiences that feel too heavy to carry. While our minds are naturally designed to recover from difficult events, some memories can get "stuck." When this happens, a past event can feel like it’s still happening in the present—bringing up the same old fears, physical sensations, or painful beliefs about ourselves.
EMDR is an evidence-based way to help your brain finally "digest" those moments so you can find peace.
.jpg)
How it Works:
A Simple Analogy
Think of your mind like a physical wound. Your body is naturally wired to heal that wound. But if a "splinter" (a traumatic or stressful event) gets left inside, the wound can’t close properly, and it remains painful to the touch.
EMDR doesn't "erase" your memories. Instead, it removes the splinter. It allows your brain’s natural healing process to take over, moving the memory from a place where it feels raw and overwhelming to a place where it simply feels like a story from your past—one that no longer has the power to hurt you.
Why Choose EMDR?
You don’t have to find all the words: Because EMDR focuses on how your brain and body process information, you don’t always need to describe every detail of your story to find relief.
It’s efficient: Many people find that EMDR helps them reach a "breakthrough" more quickly than traditional talk therapy alone.
A sense of closure: Clients often describe a feeling of "lightness" or "distance" from things that used to trigger them.
What Does a Session Look Like?
During EMDR, we won’t just talk about what happened. Instead, we use something called Bilateral Stimulation. This usually involves following my hand with your eyes, listening to alternating tones in headphones, or holding small vibrators that gently pulse in your hands.
This rhythmic left-right stimulation mimics the natural "REМ" (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep. It helps your brain’s left and right hemispheres communicate, allowing you to process the memory safely without having to relive every painful detail out loud.
What EMDR Can Help With
Recognized by the WHO, APA, and VA as an effective trauma treatment.
I use it for:
-
PTSD — single-incident and complex/chronic trauma
-
Childhood/developmental trauma
-
Anxiety & panic
-
Grief & loss
-
Phobias
-
Negative core beliefs (“I’m not enough,” “I’m not safe”)
-
Performance blocks
-
Attachment wounds
-
Addiction, when trauma underlies the pattern
How EMDR Differs from Talk Therapy
Talk therapy means discussing what happened — sometimes re-living it without releasing it. EMDR identifies the memory, emotion, body sensation, and belief, then uses bilateral stimulation to help your brain process it. You don’t need to narrate every detail.
The 8 Phases of EMDR (Quick Overview)
I’ll guide you through each step — no need to memorize this.
History & Planning
Map your history, set targets
Preparation
Build grounding skills before we start
Assessment
Identify the memory, belief, emotion, body sensation
Desensitization
Active processing
Installation
Strengthen a positive belief
Body Scan
Check for remaining tension
Closure
ground you before you leave, every session
Reevaluation
Check in on progress next time
Krista’s EMDR Credentials
EMDR-trained since 2018. EMDRIA-certified since 2024 — a credential requiring proven clinical proficiency and consultation hours. Currently a Consultant-in-Training, supporting other therapists pursuing certification.
Quick FAQ
-
How many sessions will I need? Single-incident trauma: often 3–5. Complex trauma: longer. We assess as we go.
-
Does EMDR work for everyone? Most people, yes — some need extra stabilization first, especially with significant dissociation.
-
Will I have to talk about my trauma in detail? No. You stay in control of how much you verbalize.
