EMDR Therapy
When you want more than talking
You've spent years in therapy, reading, learning, and making sense of your experiences.
You've made progress. But some memories, reactions, and patterns haven't shifted just because you understand them.
EMDR offers a different way to work with those experiences, building on the work you've already done.
EMDR therapy for women in Orlando, Florida · Online across Florida, Georgia & Colorado
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's an evidence-based therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related distress.
EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model—the idea that our minds have a natural capacity to process experiences, learn from them, and make new connections.
But sometimes an experience is so overwhelming that the emotions, beliefs, and reactions connected to it don't fully catch up with everything we've learned since.
You may understand today that something wasn't your fault, that you're safe now, or that you have choices you didn't have then. And yet, when something reminds you of that experience, you may still feel or react as though you're right back there.
EMDR helps you work with that gap between what you know now and what still feels true.
Through a structured process, we revisit distressing experiences while using eye movements, alternating tapping, or other forms of bilateral stimulation. You don't have to tell every detail of what happened. Instead, we pay attention to the thoughts, emotions, memories, and body sensations that emerge.
As processing unfolds, new connections and perspectives can become available. You may find yourself understanding an experience differently—not because the past has changed, but because you're no longer limited to the meaning it held at the time.
The goal isn't to erase what happened. It's for those experiences to carry less distress and have less influence over how you feel, respond, and live today.
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EMDR follows an eight-phase process, but that doesn't mean eight appointments or that everyone moves through treatment at the same pace.
We start by getting to know your history, understanding what you'd like to work on, and making sure you have the preparation and resources you need.
When you're ready, we identify what to focus on and begin reprocessing. We also take time to close sessions thoughtfully and check in on what's changing between appointments.
There's no set timeline for how quickly you'll move through the process. We adjust the pace based on what you're experiencing and what you need.
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Yes. You don't need a specific trauma memory or a perfectly organized story to explore EMDR therapy.
This can be especially relevant for people with complex PTSD (C-PTSD), childhood trauma, or early experiences that occurred before they had the words to describe them, sometimes called preverbal memories.
Sometimes what you know best isn't what happened in the past, but what happens in you now. Maybe you shut down during conflict, feel overwhelmed by someone else's disappointment, or notice your body reacting before you understand why.
We can begin with the information that's available—a present-day trigger, an emotion, a belief, a body sensation, or a recurring pattern.
My approach is to notice, not interpret. A physical sensation or emotional reaction doesn't necessarily tell us what happened in your past, and we don't need to search for a missing memory or invent an explanation.
Instead, we can become curious about what you're experiencing now and determine together how EMDR might help.
What can EMDR therapy help with?
Emotional reactions that feel bigger than the situation in front of you.
Childhood experiences that continue to influence how you feel about yourself or relate to others.
Physical responses, like a racing heart or tense body, even when you know you're safe.
Relationship patterns, like shutting down or becoming defensive when you feel vulnerable.
A recent accident or distressing experience that's still affecting you.
Memories you've talked about many times that still feel upsetting.
Flashbacks or nightmares that bring you back to something you've experienced.
Performance blocks affecting your confidence in sports, work, or creative pursuits.
What it's like to do EMDR with me
EMDR has a well-established framework, but your experience doesn't have to fit neatly into a script. I bring the science, clinical experience, and creativity to adapt the work to what's happening for you.
Preparation is an important part of EMDR therapy, and what that looks like will be different for each person. We'll look at the strengths and resources you already have, what might need more attention, and what will help you feel ready to begin processing.
My approach integrates somatic and attachment-focused EMDR. That means we're paying attention to more than the memory itself—how you've learned to navigate relationships, what happens in your body, and the beliefs and reactions that still show up today.
I'm an active part of the process. I'll offer direction, ask questions, and notice what's changing. Sometimes we'll follow a memory or a belief. Other times, we might set the story aside and pay attention to what you're experiencing in your body.
You don't have to figure out how to do EMDR correctly. You can tell me when something feels confusing, when you're not noticing much, or when you need to slow down. We can adjust as we go rather than trying to force a particular response.
What could be different with EMDR therapy?
Imagine having a difficult conversation without immediately shutting down, becoming defensive, or spending the rest of the day replaying what happened.
Something upsetting happens, and you can feel your reaction without it taking over. Your body settles, and you're able to get on with your day.
You begin to see yourself differently. Beliefs shaped by childhood experiences—about your worth, your safety, or what you deserve—start to lose their grip.
You can remember something painful without feeling pulled right back into it. What happened is still part of your story, but it doesn't carry the same emotional weight.
You find yourself returning to things you've avoided since a difficult experience, or approaching a challenge with confidence that used to feel out of reach.
And perhaps something you've understood intellectually for years finally begins to feel true, too.
EMDR isn't about erasing your past. It's about helping you move through your present with more freedom—more room to choose how you respond, what you believe about yourself, and what's possible for your life.
EMDR Therapy FAQs
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Not necessarily. EMDR doesn't always require you to describe every detail of a painful experience aloud.
We'll discuss what you're comfortable sharing and what information is helpful for treatment. You remain actively involved in the process, and we can adjust our approach based on your needs.
You don't have to tell every detail of your story for your experiences to deserve attention and care.
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It's understandable to feel nervous about what might come up during EMDR, especially if you've been carrying something painful for a long time.
EMDR isn't just one processing session. It's a whole treatment process, and preparation is part of that. We'll make sure you have the support and resources you need, and we can talk through any specific concerns before we begin.
If something feels overwhelming, we can slow down, pause, or adjust our approach. And if you decide EMDR isn't right for you, we can explore other options, including Brainspotting or somatic therapy.
The goal isn't to push you through something you're not ready for. It's to find a way of working that supports you.
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Yes and no. It's a layered question, and there are a few things worth understanding.
EMDR can bring up difficult emotions, memories, or physical sensations, and some people experience increased distress during or after processing. I take those experiences seriously.
Part of our preparation is helping you develop the resources to manage temporary discomfort. Processing isn't always comfortable, but feeling overwhelmed isn't a requirement for EMDR to work.
That's also why I take the science and structure of EMDR seriously, and why I work in sessions of 90 minutes or longer. I want us to have time for meaningful processing and thoughtful closure before you return to your day.
If you notice that things are getting worse, I want you to tell me. We can talk about what's happening, make adjustments, or explore another approach, like Brainspotting or somatic therapy, if EMDR isn't feeling like the right fit for you at that time.
The goal isn't to push through EMDR at all costs. It's to find an approach that works for you.
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No therapy works the same way for everyone, and EMDR is no exception.
EMDR has strong research support for treating PTSD, but that doesn't mean it's automatically the right approach for every person or concern.
We'll consider your history, goals, and current circumstances to determine whether EMDR is appropriate and how to structure our work. Sometimes that includes additional preparation or integrating other therapeutic approaches.
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es. EMDR therapy can be done virtually, and research suggests that online EMDR can be effective, particularly for treating PTSD.
During virtual sessions, we can use eye movements, alternating sounds, or self-tapping for bilateral stimulation. The process is adapted to the online setting while following the same structured EMDR treatment approach.
I offer virtual EMDR therapy to clients throughout Florida, Georgia, and Colorado. We'll work together to determine whether online EMDR is a good fit for your needs.
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Absolutely. Many of the women I work with have already spent years in therapy, developing insight and understanding their patterns. That work matters, and we don't need to start over.
EMDR can build on what you've already explored, helping you address emotional responses, body sensations, or patterns that haven't shifted simply because you understand them.
You also don't necessarily need to stop seeing your current therapist. EMDR can be incorporated alongside ongoing therapy, and with your permission, I can collaborate with your therapist to help ensure our work is coordinated and supportive.
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Yes. If your Christian faith is an important part of your life, we can thoughtfully integrate it into your EMDR therapy.
This might include exploring how your faith, spiritual experiences, or beliefs intersect with trauma, attachment, and the ways you've learned to respond to yourself and others.
Faith integration is always guided by your preferences, never assumed or imposed. My approach remains grounded in somatic, attachment-focused EMDR therapy, with room for your faith when it's meaningful to you.
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Ways to work together
I don't offer traditional 50-minute sessions. EMDR involves more than processing a memory. We need time to prepare, engage in the work, and close thoughtfully—making sure you have time to settle before returning to your day.
That's why I offer longer sessions. I want us to have room for the full process, rather than rushing through an important part of it because we're running out of time.
EMDR Therapy Intensives
A concentrated block of EMDR therapy over one to three days, typically three to five hours per day, focused on a particular experience, pattern, or area of your life.
We set aside dedicated time for preparation, processing, and integration, allowing us to stay engaged in the work across a shorter period.
Extended EMDR Sessions
Ongoing EMDR therapy in sessions of 90 minutes to two hours, typically meeting less frequently than traditional weekly therapy.
This gives us time to prepare, process, and settle before ending each session. Between appointments, you have space to notice what's changing in your everyday life.
Ready to explore EMDR therapy?
Start with a complimentary 20-minute consultation. We'll talk about what's bringing you in, what you've already tried, and what you'd like to be different.
You don't need to decide between therapy intensives and extended sessions before we talk. I'll answer your questions, share what I recommend, and let you know whether I think I'm the right fit for what you need.