EMDR Trauma Therapy

Heal at the Root. Reclaim your Life.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a powerful, evidence-based approach to treating single event trauma(such as a car accident or sexual assault) or complex trauma (such as childhood abuse), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, anxiety, depression and dissociative disorders.

Whether you're carrying the weight of painful, intrusive memories or struggling with mental health issues that are not healing with other methods, EMDR helps you reprocess distressing experiences so they no longer feel debilitating and overwhelming, allowing you to have more freedom in your life again.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a structured therapy that helps people heal from the emotional distress caused by disturbing life experiences. Unlike talk therapy, EMDR focuses on changing the way painful memories are stored in the brain, allowing you to move forward without being re-triggered by the past.

During EMDR, you’ll recall a distressing memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation—typically guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. This process helps the brain reprocess stuck or unintegrated material and facilitates natural healing.

Backed by over 30 years of research, EMDR is recognized by the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, and the Department of Veterans Affairs as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD.

Who Is EMDR For?

EMDR therapy can benefit anyone who’s feeling stuck in emotional pain—whether the root cause is clearly known or buried beneath the surface.

EMDR may help if you are:

  • Struggling with past trauma or PTSD

  • Experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, or phobias

  • Living with chronic low self-esteem or shame

  • Repeating unhealthy relationship patterns

  • Recovering from emotional abuse or neglect

  • Coping with grief or loss

  • Having trouble with performance anxiety or creative blocks

You don’t need a formal PTSD diagnosis to benefit from EMDR. Many clients are surprised to find that even seemingly “small” or long-ago experiences can have a lasting impact—and that with support, healing is possible.

What to Expect in EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation. This typically involves moving your eyes back and forth (left to right) while focusing on a memory, thought, image, or body sensation.

Bilateral stimulation works by engaging both sides of the brain, which helps your nervous system “digest” and integrate stuck experiences—much like what happens during REM sleep.

Here’s what many clients report during EMDR:

  • A natural “unfolding” of thoughts, images, or emotions connected to the memory

  • Shifts in body sensations as tension releases

  • A gradual change in how they feel about themselves and the event

  • Feeling tired or calm afterward, similar to after a good workout or deep emotional release

Healing from trauma isn’t about forgetting what happened—it’s about reclaiming who you are beyond what happened. Your story doesn’t end with the harm, it begins with your courage to address it.

EMDR Therapy in Hawaii and Colorado: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept insurance?

In Colorado I accept Rocky Mountain/United Healthcare (Medicaid and commercial plans), UMR, Aetna, and self pay.

In Hawai’i, as a pre-licensed therapist, I am not able to be paneled with insurance companies and only accept self pay. I offer a limited number of sliding scale spots for those with financial need.

During our initial consultation, we can discuss fees and payment options to ensure they work for your situation.

What does it mean that you're pre-licensed?

As a pre-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have completed my master's degree and practicum experience and am in the process of accumulating the clinical hours required for full licensure.

During this time, I work under supervision of two American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) approved licensed marriage and family therapists who provide guidance and ensure the quality of care.

This arrangement provides you with the benefit of two clinical perspectives—mine and my supervisor's—while generally offering more affordable rates than fully licensed therapists. My supervisor and I meet regularly to discuss cases (while maintaining client confidentiality), allowing me to provide the best possible care during this final phase of my professional development.

What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach designed to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation—typically in the form of eye movements—while the client briefly focuses on the traumatic memory. This process helps the brain process these memories and reduce their ongoing negative impact.

What conditions can EMDR treat?

EMDR was originally developed to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but research has shown it to be effective for treating:

  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Disturbing or intrusive memories

  • Phobias

  • Anxiety disorders

  • Panic attacks

  • Depression

  • Grief

  • Phobias

  • Performance anxiety

  • Pain disorders

  • Addictions

How does EMDR work?

EMDR therapy is based on the understanding that when a person experiences trauma, the natural information processing system of the brain may become overwhelmed, causing the memory to be stored with the original emotions, physical sensations, and beliefs. During EMDR treatment, the therapist guides the client to briefly focus on the traumatic memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation. This helps the brain process these memories and allows new connections to be made between the traumatic memory and more adaptive information, leading to reduced distress and healthier coping mechanisms. This is a large body of research that supports the efficacy of EMDR therapy.

What happens during an EMDR session?

EMDR therapy involves eight phases:

  1. History Taking: The therapist gathers information about your history and identifies treatment targets.

  2. Preparation: You'll learn about EMDR and develop coping strategies for managing emotional distress.

  3. Assessment: You identify a specific memory to target, including the associated image, negative belief, desired positive belief, emotions, and physical sensations.

  4. Desensitization: Using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or tones), you focus briefly on the memory while the therapist guides you through sets of bilateral stimulation.

  5. Installation: The positive belief is strengthened and connected with the original memory.

  6. Body Scan: You check for any remaining physical tension related to the memory.

  7. Closure: The therapist ensures you feel stable at the end of each session.

  8. Reevaluation: At the beginning of subsequent sessions, the therapist checks to see if the results have been maintained.

How long does EMDR therapy take?

The length of treatment varies depending on your specific needs and history. Some clients may experience significant relief in just 1-2 sessions. Complex trauma typically requires longer treatment. Each session lasts 50-80 minutes. Your therapist will discuss an estimated treatment timeline during your initial consultation.

Is EMDR painful or difficult?

EMDR requires you to focus briefly on the disturbing memory during the processing phases, which may cause temporary discomfort. However, most clients report that this distress diminishes rapidly as the memory is processed. Your therapist will teach you coping skills before beginning memory processing to help manage any distress. You'll always remain awake and aware during sessions, and you can stop the process at any time.

What will I experience during and after EMDR sessions?

During sessions, you might notice:

  • Changes in thoughts, images, and feelings

  • Physical sensations

  • New insights or perspectives

Between sessions, you may experience:

  • Vivid dreams or memories

  • New thoughts or insights about past experiences

  • Emotional fluctuations

  • Continued processing of material

These experiences are normal parts of the healing process. It's helpful to keep notes about these experiences to discuss with your therapist.

Is EMDR therapy evidence-based?

Yes. EMDR is recognized as an effective treatment for trauma by major health organizations, including the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Multiple controlled studies have shown EMDR to be effective for treating trauma. It has been extensively researched since its development in the late 1980s.

How is EMDR different from traditional talk therapy?

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn't require detailed discussions of the disturbing event or homework between sessions. Instead, EMDR focuses on changing how the memory is stored in the brain, reducing its emotional charge. You don't need to talk in detail about traumatic experiences, which many clients find relieving. EMDR also tends to work more quickly than traditional talk therapy for trauma-related issues.

How should I prepare for EMDR therapy?

To prepare for EMDR therapy:

  • Be open with your therapist about your history and concerns

  • Wear comfortable clothing to sessions

  • Ensure you have time after sessions to relax rather than returning immediately to stressful activities

  • Plan for self-care after sessions, as processing may continue

  • Consider keeping a journal to note any thoughts, dreams, or insights between sessions

What if I wear contact lenses or have trouble moving my eyes?

If eye movements are uncomfortable or impossible for any reason, alternative forms of bilateral stimulation can be used. These include:

  • Tactile stimulation (taps on the hands or knees)

  • Your therapist will work with you to find the most comfortable and effective method.

Can EMDR be harmful?

EMDR is generally considered safe when administered by a properly trained professional. As with any effective psychotherapy, there may be temporary increases in distress as you process difficult material. Your therapist will prepare you for this and teach you coping skills before beginning memory processing. EMDR should not be used with certain conditions without special precautions, which is why a thorough assessment is conducted before beginning treatment.

Is EMDR a form of hypnosis?

No, EMDR is not hypnosis. During EMDR sessions, you remain fully conscious and aware. You have complete control and can stop the process at any time. EMDR doesn't involve suggestions or attempts to alter your state of consciousness.

Can I do EMDR therapy online?

Yes, EMDR can be conducted effectively through telehealth. Your therapist can guide you through the process using virtual bilateral stimulation techniques or self-administered bilateral stimulation under their guidance. Many clients find telehealth EMDR to be just as effective as in-person sessions, with the added convenience of participating from home.

How do I know if EMDR is right for me?

EMDR may be appropriate if you:

  • Have experienced trauma or distressing life events

  • Have symptoms that seem connected to past negative experiences

  • Feel "stuck" in certain emotional patterns

  • Haven't responded fully to other therapy approaches

The best way to determine if EMDR is right for you is to schedule an initial consultation. During this meeting, your therapist will assess your history and goals and discuss whether EMDR might be helpful for your specific situation.

What qualifications should my EMDR therapist have?

Look for a therapist, like Angela, who:

  • Is pre-licensed or licensed in their profession (marraige and family therapy, psychology, social work, counseling, etc.)

  • Has completed an EMDRIA-approved basic training program (minimum 40 hours)

  • Receives regular consultation or supervision in EMDR

How do I get started with EMDR therapy?

To get started:

  1. Contact our office to schedule an initial consultation

  2. Complete the new client paperwork before your first appointment

  3. Attend the consultation to discuss your history, concerns, and goals

  4. If EMDR is appropriate, your therapist will develop a treatment plan with you

  5. The first few sessions will focus on preparation and building coping skills before beginning the memory processing phases

If you have additional questions about EMDR therapy or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us.