EMDR Therapy:
Healing Trauma at Its Roots
If you’ve ever felt stuck—trapped in anxiety, self-doubt, or painful memories—you’re not alone. Sometimes, talk therapy alone isn’t enough to reach the deeper layers of pain stored in the nervous system. That’s where EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) comes in.
EMDR therapy is an evidence-based, neuroscience-backed approach, originally discovered by Dr. Francine Shapiro, that helps the brain reprocess distressing experiences and release emotional blocks. It’s now recognized by organizations such as the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, and the Department of Veterans Affairs as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD. EMDR is not about reliving trauma—it’s about giving your brain the chance to do what it naturally wants to do: heal.
When we experience overwhelming events—whether a single moment or years of subtle, repeated emotional pain—our nervous system can become dysregulated. EMDR helps calm the overactive survival responses in the brain (like fight, flight, freeze), while rewiring the way we relate to past experiences.
Clients often say, “It finally feels like that experience isn’t controlling me anymore.”
Whether you're struggling with anxiety, low self-worth, a deep sense of being stuck, or unresolved childhood wounds, EMDR therapy can create lasting shifts—beyond logic, beyond words.
I offer EMDR in a safe, compassionate space where your healing pace is honored. This work is powerful, but it's never rushed. Together, we’ll access the root of what’s holding you back—and begin to gently transform it.
"Where neuroscience meets deep emotional relief."
Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy is designed to help people process and heal from experiences that have overwhelmed the nervous system—whether they happened years ago or more recently.
You may benefit from EMDR if you:
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Struggle with anxiety, worry, or overthinking
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Feel held back by low self-worth or self-critical thoughts
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Have experienced childhood emotional neglect, attachment wounds, or complex trauma
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Are carrying shame, grief, or guilt from past experiences
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Feel stuck in patterns you can’t explain logically
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Experience emotional triggers that don’t match your current reality
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Are a high-functioning individual who “seems fine” on the outside but feels exhausted, anxious, or lost inside.
EMDR can support both single-event trauma (like an accident or loss) and relational trauma—those deeper wounds caused by emotional disconnection, criticism, or feeling unseen.
It’s especially effective for those who have done talk therapy before but feel like something deeper hasn’t shifted yet.
“It’s like I finally exhaled. I’m not stuck in the past anymore—and things that used to trigger me just don’t hit the same.”
— Client, after EMDR therapy
What EMDR Looks Like in Our Work Together
Every EMDR therapist is a little different. In my Hermosa Beach practice, EMDR is never rushed or clinical — it's a collaborative, deeply supportive process that honors both your story and your nervous system.
I use tactile EMDR tools, specifically gentle handheld tappers that alternate vibration between your left and right hands. This form of bilateral stimulation helps activate the brain's natural healing process while keeping you grounded in the present moment.
You don’t need to talk in detail about what happened unless you want to. I’ll guide you step by step, making sure you feel safe, resourced, and in control the entire time. Some sessions might focus on deep processing, while others are spent building the inner tools you need to stay regulated and supported between sessions.
You can expect:
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A calm, confidential space where all parts of you are welcome
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A pace that matches your readiness — no pushing or forcing
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A blend of attachment-based, trauma-informed, and somatic tools to support your EMDR work
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Gentle guidance with full respect for your nervous system’s limits and strengths
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Check-ins before and after every session to help you integrate the work emotionally and physically
People often say after a few sessions: “I feel like something finally shifted.” That might mean a memory feels further away, a trigger no longer activates you, or a sense of lightness you haven’t felt in years.
Learn about how EMDR therapy works, what it is like, and how widely it is recognized.
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What does EMDR actually feel like?EMDR is often described as deeply calming and surprisingly gentle. In our sessions, you’ll hold small tappers that vibrate back and forth between your hands—this creates bilateral stimulation, which helps your brain reprocess difficult experiences in a safe, structured way. You stay present and in control the entire time. There’s no need to talk in detail about your trauma unless you choose to. Many clients say things like, “I didn’t expect it to feel so peaceful,” or “I felt lighter after just one session.” It’s not about reliving pain—it’s about helping your brain release it.
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Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?Not at all. One of the powerful aspects of EMDR is that it doesn't require you to share every detail of your experience. You can process memories internally while I gently guide the process. If something feels too big to talk about, that’s okay—we can still work with it in a way that feels safe and contained.
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Is EMDR safe if I have anxiety or panic attacks?Yes, absolutely. In fact, EMDR is especially helpful for anxiety, panic, and emotional overwhelm because it works directly with the nervous system. We go at your pace, and before we begin any processing, we spend time building resources to help you feel grounded and regulated. We’ll never jump into difficult material without making sure your system is ready. Safety and emotional stability are always the priority.
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How many sessions does EMDR take?This varies from person to person, depending on what you’re working through. Some clients feel relief after just a few sessions focused on a single memory or event. Others with more complex or long-standing trauma may work with EMDR for several months or more. I integrate EMDR into ongoing therapy as needed—so it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Together, we’ll decide when it’s time to begin EMDR and how to track your progress along the way.
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What if I don’t remember everything from the past?That’s totally okay. EMDR works with what is accessible—whether that’s a feeling in your body, a vague image, or just a sense of something unresolved. You don’t need a clear memory for EMDR to be effective. Often, the body and nervous system remember more than the mind does, and we can work with that.
