EMDR Therapy for PTSD and Trauma in Adults
Virtual EMDR therapy in Bryn Mawr/Main Line and across PA & DE
Is your past keeping you from living your best life?
Time has passed, but your mind and body haven't gotten the message. Something happens and suddenly you're back there, feeling everything all over again. You can't shake the memories, the images, the feelings that won't leave you alone.
EMDR therapy can help your brain process what happened so the past can stay in the past.
When trauma stays stuck, it can look like…
Thoughts and memories that won't stop replaying in your mind.
Suddenly feeling like you're back in that moment all over again.
Constantly looking over your shoulder, even when nothing is wrong.
Pushing people away or not being able to trust anyone.
Feeling nothing at all, like you're just going through the motions.
Rage, panic, or terror that comes out of nowhere.
Waking up from nightmares with your heart racing.
This doesn't have to be your reality forever.
EMDR helps your brain work through what happened so you can begin to move forward.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 and has become one of the most researched and effective treatments for trauma.
EMDR is recognized as an evidence-based therapy by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Department of Veterans Affairs. It's been studied extensively and proven to help people heal from trauma.
EMDR is designed specifically to help your brain process traumatic memories so they stop controlling your present.
How Does EMDR Work?
When something traumatic happens, your brain tries to process and store the memory like it does with other experiences. But sometimes the trauma is so overwhelming that your brain can't process it properly. The memory gets stuck.
When a memory is stuck, it stays active in your brain. That's why it keeps showing up with the same intensity, even years later. Your brain is still trying to make sense of it.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (gentle side-to-side movements like tracking with your eyes, tapping, or sounds) while you briefly think about the traumatic memory. This mimics what naturally happens during REM sleep and helps your brain reprocess the memory so it can be stored differently.
Once the memory is fully processed, it loses its emotional charge. You can remember what happened without feeling like it's still happening. The images, sounds, and feelings that used to overwhelm you become less intense and less present.
EMDR works with your brain's natural ability to heal. It doesn't erase memories or make you forget what happened. It helps your brain finish what it started - processing the experience so it can be filed away properly.
What Does an EMDR Session Look Like?
EMDR therapy follows 8 phases. Not every session includes all phases, and we move at a pace that feels right for you.
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We talk about what brought you to therapy and identify which memories we'll work on.
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You learn ways to calm yourself and manage difficult emotions so you feel ready to process trauma.
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We identify the specific memory, the negative belief attached to it, and the emotions and body sensations that come up.
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This is where the bilateral stimulation happens. You focus briefly on the memory while following the eye movements, taps, or sounds. We do this in short sets with breaks in between.
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We strengthen the positive belief you want to have about yourself now.
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We check if there's any remaining tension or discomfort in your body related to the memory.
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We make sure you feel calm and grounded before ending the session.
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At the next session, we check in on how you've been doing and whether the memory still feels intense.
EMDR doesn't require you to talk in detail about what happened. You don't have to relive the trauma to heal from it.
At SJS Counseling Services, LLC in Bryn Mawr, I use EMDR alongside other approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing, and mindfulness to help you heal from trauma in a way that feels safe and manageable. Sessions are conducted through a secure EMDR platform that's backed by research and helps make therapy more effective.
What Does EMDR Therapy Treat?
EMDR therapy is effective for processing different types of trauma. Whether you experienced a single traumatic event or trauma that happened over time, EMDR can help.
Single traumatic incidents like assaults, accidents, or sudden loss
Prolonged, repeated exposure to traumatic situations, such as neglect, ongoing child abuse, or domestic violence
Exposure to multiple repeated or long-term traumatic experiences, often beginning in childhood and involving caregivers or trusted adults
Patterns of emotional pain passed down through families
EMDR Therapy FAQs
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No, EMDR is not hypnosis. During EMDR, you stay fully awake, aware, and in control the entire time. I guide you through eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds while you briefly think about the memory.
Hypnosis is different. In hypnosis, the therapist helps you get into a trance-like or deeply relaxed state where you're more open to suggestions, usually through focused relaxation and imagery. With EMDR, you stay alert and focused on two things at once- the memory and the movements or sounds.
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That's okay. EMDR can work with what you do remember: the images, feelings, body sensations, or beliefs connected to the trauma. You don't need a clear, detailed memory to start.
As we process what's available, sometimes more of the memory comes back. But we work with whatever you have access to right now.
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Eye movements are one way to do bilateral stimulation, but it's not the only way. Some people prefer tapping or sounds instead. The important part is focusing on the memory while also paying attention to the bilateral stimulation (whether that's eye movements, tapping, or tones).
We'll find what works best for you.
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Not necessarily. We focus on the memories that are affecting you most right now and that align with your goals for therapy. Processing some memories often helps other related memories lose their intensity too.
As you build skills and feel ready, we can address other memories if needed. But you don't have to revisit everything to move forward.
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EMDR is one of several proven treatments for trauma. Some people find it works faster than talk therapy for processing difficult memories. Others prefer different approaches.
What works best depends on you as an individual. We'll work together to figure out if EMDR is the right fit.
Getting Started
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We Connect
First, schedule a free phone consultation by clicking “Schedule a 15-Min. Consultation” to see if it feels like a good fit. In our early sessions, I’ll get to know you as a person: your story, strengths, struggles, and what truly matters to you.
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We Develop a Plan
We’ll talk about what you want from therapy and come up with a clear plan for how to get there, together.
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We Work Together
We’ll check in regularly to see what’s helping and adjust along the way to keep you moving toward the life you want.