EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy method designed to alleviate the emotional distress caused by traumatic memories. It not only helps desensitize you to these memories but also reshapes how you relate to them, including the beliefs you’ve developed about yourself as a result.

In our work together, we’ll begin with grounding and building you a toolbox of positive resources to return to when the reprocessing gets difficult (which it often does). Then, we’ll identify negative beliefs you hold about yourself—beliefs you no longer want to carry. We’ll explore the earliest and most impactful experiences that led to these beliefs, and begin the process of reprocessing those memories.

A key element of EMDR is bilateral stimulation, which helps facilitate the reprocessing. If we're meeting in person, I’ll guide you to follow my fingers with your eyes, moving them side to side or diagonally across your field of vision. In a virtual session, you will set up two objects on either side of your field of vision and move your eyes between them. Another option I often use for the bilateral stimulation is tapping—either under your collarbones, on your arms, or on your knees.

Through this process, we’ll work to reduce the emotional charge of each memory, replacing any negative core beliefs with healthier, more empowering ones that align with how you want to see yourself.