Phase 1, History & Treatment Planning
Your therapist learns your history and identifies target memories.
Trauma memories don’t stay in the past, they show up in your body, your relationships, and your daily life. At Creative Space, our trained EMDR therapists help you reprocess those memories so they lose their grip, using one of the most researched and effective trauma therapies available today.
EMDR is recognized as a first-line trauma treatment by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline. EMDR therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. It is not an experimental approach, it is one of the most validated therapies in mental health.
EMDR therapy is an integrative psychotherapy method that uses a technique called bilateral stimulation to repeatedly activate opposite sides of the brain. Therapists often use eye movements to facilitate bilateral stimulation. These eye movements mimic the period of sleep referred to as rapid eye movement or REM sleep, and this portion of sleep is frequently considered to be the time when the mind processes the recent events in the person’s life.
Think of it this way: traumatic memories are often stored in a ‘frozen’ state, raw and overwhelming, as if the event is still happening. EMDR helps the brain’s natural processing system unfreeze them, so they become integrated as past experiences rather than present threats.
EMDR follows a structured eight-phase protocol, which is part of what makes it so effective and consistent:
Your therapist learns your history and identifies target memories.
You build coping and stabilization skills before any processing begins. You will never be pushed before you're ready.
The target memory is identified along with the negative belief it created (e.g., 'I am powerless') and the positive belief you want to hold instead.
Bilateral stimulation begins while you hold the memory in mind, reducing its emotional charge.
The positive belief is strengthened and linked to the memory.
Any remaining physical tension related to the memory is resolved.
Each session ends with you feeling stable and grounded.
Progress is reviewed and the next target is identified.
EMDR had been originally established as helpful for PTSD, although it’s been proven useful for treatment in the following conditions:
Do you experience distressing emotions that appear to you, and perhaps to others, to be excessive given the current situation? Do you tend to be highly reactive to certain triggers? Is there one or more dysfunctional beliefs that you believe about yourself that on an intellectual level you know is not true?
If so, you may still be a good candidate for EMDR therapy. Contact me today for a free phone consultation to see if EMDR might help you release what no longer serves you.
EMDR therapy is available both in person at our office and online via our secure telehealth platform. Research confirms that online EMDR produces outcomes equivalent to in-person sessions for most clients, so wherever you are, effective care is within reach.
EMDR is also a core part of our broader trauma counseling services. If you’ve been diagnosed with PTSD specifically, visit our PTSD treatment page to learn more.
It depends on the complexity of your trauma. Single-incident trauma, such as an accident or assault, can often be resolved in 6–12 sessions. Complex or long-standing trauma typically requires more. Your therapist will discuss a realistic timeline with you during your initial assessment.
Yes. Online EMDR therapy is well-supported by research and delivers outcomes comparable to in-person sessions for most clients. We use a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform and adapted bilateral stimulation techniques that work effectively in a remote format.
No, and this surprises many people. EMDR does not require you to narrate your traumatic experience the way traditional talk therapy does. You hold the memory in mind while bilateral stimulation does much of the work. Less retelling, more processing.
EMDR was originally developed for PTSD but is now used to treat anxiety, phobias, grief, performance anxiety, addictions, and more. If you carry distressing memories or beliefs that feel stuck, regardless of diagnosis, EMDR may be worth exploring with one of our therapists.
EMDR doesn’t cause physical pain, but it can bring up strong emotions during processing, that’s part of how it works. Most clients describe sessions as emotionally demanding but not overwhelming. Your therapist monitors your distress level throughout and has tools to help you stay within a manageable range.
Visit us at our physical clinic location. We’re here to ensure a therapy experience that is fit for your needs. Use the map to find our location and plan your visit.