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EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

When the past is still affecting your present, EMDR can help you process what happened so it doesn’t continue to control how you feel, think, and respond.

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What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a trauma therapy that helps you process painful or overwhelming experiences that may still be affecting you today. Sometimes, even when we know something happened in the past, our body, emotions, and nervous system can continue to respond as though we are still in it.

 

EMDR helps you work through these experiences in a safe and supported way so they feel less overwhelming and no longer have the same hold on your present life. Rather than simply talking about what happened, EMDR helps your brain process the experience and the beliefs you developed around it, creating space for a healthier and more compassionate perspective.

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How does EMDR work?

There are 3 stages to EMDR. Here’s what you can expect:

 

  1. First, we’ll build a foundation for the work. We’ll talk about your goals, history, current challenges, and the experiences you’d like to work through. We’ll also make sure you have tools and resources to feel grounded and supported throughout the process.

  2. Next, we’ll process what’s keeping you stuck. You’ll focus on specific memories, emotions, beliefs, or experiences while using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds. This helps your brain reprocess experiences that may still feel unresolved.

  3. Finally, we’ll work toward integration and lasting change. As the experience becomes less distressing, we’ll strengthen healthier beliefs and help you connect with a greater sense of safety, confidence, and choice in the present.

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You may benefit from EMDR if you:

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EMDR can be helpful for people who feel stuck in the effects of past experiences, even when they understand what happened and know they “should” be over it.

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  • Have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, or a difficult life event

  • Feel triggered by situations that seem connected to the past

  • Struggle with anxiety, fear, panic, or feeling constantly on guard

  • Carry shame, guilt, or a negative belief about yourself

  • Find yourself repeating unhealthy patterns in relationships

  • Have difficulty trusting yourself or others

  • Feel emotionally overwhelmed or disconnected

  • Experience intrusive memories, nightmares, or distressing thoughts

  • Avoid certain people, places, conversations, or situations because of what they bring up

  • Understand your experiences intellectually but still feel emotionally affected by them

  • Have tried traditional talk therapy but feel like you are still stuck

  • Appear high-functioning or successful on the outside but feel overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, or stuck on the inside

  • Have built a successful life but still struggle with self-worth, relationships, boundaries, or feeling like you are never doing enough

Watch this video for more information on EMDR!

FAQs for EMDR

1. Do I have to relieve my trauma?

  • EMDR involves connecting with aspects of difficult experiences, but the goal is not to make you relive the experience as though it is happening again. We work within your window of tolerance and use strategies to help you stay grounded and present

2. Do I have to talk about everything that happened to me?

  • No. EMDR does not require you to share every detail of a traumatic experience. We’ll work at a pace that feels manageable and focus on what is clinically appropriate for you.

3. What if I don’t remember everything?

  • You don’t need a complete or detailed memory for EMDR to be helpful. We can work with what you do remember, including emotions, body sensations, beliefs, or present-day triggers.

4. Do I need to have PTSD to do EMDR?

  • No. EMDR can be used for more than PTSD and may be helpful for experiences such as difficult relationships, anxiety, grief, shame, low self-worth, phobias, or other experiences that continue to affect you.

5. Can EMDR work if I’m not sure what caused my symptoms?

  • Yes. Sometimes we know exactly what happened, and sometimes we simply notice patterns, reactions, or triggers that don’t seem to make sense. We can explore these together and determine what may be helpful to target.

6. Is EMDR only for recent trauma?

  • No. EMDR can be used to process both recent and earlier experiences. We’ll consider your history and current needs when deciding where to begin.

7. How do I know if EMDR is right for me?

  • You don’t have to know before starting. We can talk through what you’re experiencing, what you want to change, and whether EMDR is an appropriate fit for your goals.

EMDR Trauma Therapy in Scottsdale Arizona

Natalie Foster Therapy

Therapy for adults ready to heal, grow, and create lasting change in Scottsdale, Arizona.

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