EMDR Therapy in Kirkland, WA, online and all across Washington
EMDR Therapy: Healing beyond words
Most traditional talk therapies focus on the logic of a situation. EMDR is different. It targets how your brain and body store memories. When we experience trauma or high-stress events, the brain’s natural processing system can get "stuck," leaving the emotional distress of the past feeling very present.
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based method that helps "unlock" those memories, allowing you to process them until they no longer hold a painful emotional charge.
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During an EMDR session, we use Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) usually through guided eye movements, hand taps, or auditory tones. This mimics the natural processing your brain does during REM sleep.
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While originally developed for PTSD, EMDR is highly effective for a wide range of challenges such as Anxiety & Panic Attacks, Childhood Trauma or Neglect, Low Self-Esteem and Food and Body Image Distress.
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Unlike talk therapy, you don't always have to describe every detail of your past. EMDR allows your brain to do the heavy lifting internally.
The Goal: Not to forget what happened, but to remember it without the overwhelming physical and emotional distress.
The Pacing: We move at your speed. Preparation and "grounding" tools are always established before we begin the processing phase.
FAQs
Q: Will I have to talk in detail about my trauma?
A: Unlike traditional "talk therapy," EMDR does not require you to describe your past experiences in minute detail. While we will identify the specific memory we are working on, the focus is on the physical sensations and emotions you feel in the present. You can process a memory successfully even if you choose to keep some of the details private.
Q: Can I do EMDR virtually, or does it have to be in person?
A: EMDR is highly effective via telehealth! Instead of a physical light bar or hand-tapping, I use a specialized secure software where you follow a moving ball on your screen, or we use "butterfly taps" (self-tapping on your shoulders). As long as you have a private space and a stable internet connection, virtual EMDR can be just as impactful as in-office sessions.
Q: Is EMDR like hypnosis? Will I lose control?
A: Not at all. During EMDR, you are fully awake, alert, and in control. You are not in a trance; rather, you have "one foot in the past and one foot in the present." You can stop the process at any time, and you will remember everything that happens during the session. It is a collaborative process between you and me.
Q: How will I feel after an EMDR session?
A: It is common to feel a bit tired or "spacey" immediately following a session, as your brain continues to process the information even after you leave the office. Some people describe it as an "emotional workout." We always end sessions with grounding techniques to ensure you feel calm and safe before you head home, and we’ll discuss self-care strategies to help you manage any vivid dreams or new insights that might surface between appointments.
How EMDR works
Watch this 2 minutes video to learn more about what EMDR is
Ready to find relief?
You don't have to be defined by what happened to you. Healing is possible when your brain is given the right tools to finish its work.
