EMDR Therapy
The past doesn’t always stay in the past.
Sometimes the past can linger, casting shadows over your present life. Whether it’s trauma, painful memories, or unresolved emotions, these experiences can weigh you down and keep you from living fully. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps individuals process and heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. Whether you’re grappling with memories that keep resurfacing, anxiety tied to past events, or even a sense of being stuck in life, EMDR offers a pathway to relief. EMDR works by activating your brain’s natural healing processes, allowing you to reframe traumatic memories and reduce their emotional charge. If you’ve felt that talk therapy alone hasn’t addressed your deeper struggles, EMDR could be the transformative approach you need. I utilize a specialized method which combines Internal Family Systems (IFS) with EMDR to address the root causes of your pain and help you move forward with clarity, calm and connectedness. Together we will break the cycle and connect you to your inner wisdom and peace.
What To Expect In EMDR: The Eight Stages
If you’re considering EMDR therapy, you might be wondering what the process actually looks like. EMDR follows an 8-stage process designed to guide you from feeling stuck in painful memories to finding relief and a new sense of calm. Here’s what that journey looks like:
1. Getting to Know You
First, we talk. This is where we explore what’s bringing you to therapy, how past experiences may be affecting you, and what your goals are. With IFS-informed EMDR, we’ll also pay attention to different parts of you—like the part that wants to heal and the part that feels hesitant—so we can move forward in a way that feels right for you.
2. Building Your Toolbox
Before we dive into deeper work, we focus on giving you tools to manage stress, emotions, and tough memories. Think of it as building an emotional first-aid kit so you feel safe and supported throughout the process.
3. Identifying the Root Cause
Together, we’ll identify specific memories, experiences, or beliefs that are keeping you stuck. These don’t have to be big, obvious traumas—sometimes, even small moments can have a lasting impact. Using IFS, we’ll also explore how different parts of you are holding onto these experiences and what they need to feel safe enough to let go.
4. Reprocessing with Eye Movements
This is where the healing starts to become more apparent. Using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, we’ll help your brain process difficult memories in a way that makes them feel less overwhelming.
5. Replacing Old Beliefs with New Ones
As your brain processes old experiences, you’ll start to see yourself and your story differently. Negative beliefs (“I’m not good enough”) shift into healthier, more helpful ones (“I did the best I could” or “I am strong”). With IFS-informed EMDR, we also ensure that you feel comfortable with these new beliefs, so the changes feel deep and lasting.
6. Checking In and Strengthening Positive Changes
We make sure those new, healthier beliefs feel real and solid. This stage helps lock in the progress you’ve made so that your brain naturally responds to situations in a more balanced way.
7. Body Scan for Lingering Stress
Our bodies hold onto stress just as much as our minds do. We’ll check to see if any tension, discomfort, or emotional weight is still lingering and help your body fully release it. This is especially helpful for parts of you that have been carrying emotional pain for a long time, they finally get a chance to relax and let go.
8. Wrapping Up and Moving Forward
By this point, the memories that once felt heavy should feel lighter. We’ll review your progress, make sure you feel confident in your coping skills, and discuss any next steps to keep you feeling strong and supported.
My goal is to provide a warm, supportive environment where you can carefully explore difficult emotions and memories. Sessions often feel both challenging and empowering as you experience real-time shifts in how you perceive your past and present.
How Long Does EMDR Therapy Take?
The duration of EMDR therapy varies depending on the complexity of your concerns. Some individuals experience significant relief in just a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term work, especially if multiple traumatic events or deep-seated patterns are involved. Combining EMDR with IFS may lengthen the process but deepens the results by addressing both the memories and the protective systems within you. Together, we’ll create a plan that feels manageable and aligned with your goals.
What Issues Can EMDR Therapy Address?
EMDR is highly effective for a wide range of concerns, including:
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Childhood trauma and neglect
• Anxiety and panic disorders
• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Grief and loss
If you’re feeling stuck, hopeless, or weighed down by emotional pain, EMDR can help unlock your potential for healing. We will work closely together to identify the key issues affecting your life and tailor the therapy to meet your unique needs.
What is EMDR and How Can It Help?
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
EMDR involves an eight-phase approach that ensures your safety and readiness at every step. In the early phases, we will work on building trust, identifying target memories to work on, and developing coping strategies. As we continue into the processing phase we are encouraging your own brain’s process of releasing the pain associated with difficult experiences. Over time, these memories lose their emotional intensity and you gain new insights. Combining EMDR with IFS allows us to explore how you may be holding onto or attempting to protect against pain, creating a holistic healing process. This process is helpful because it allows you to address these memories in a safe and controlled way, reducing their emotional charge. By doing so, you can start to feel more at peace, less anxious, and more in control of your life. If you’ve been feeling stuck, weighed down by past events, or unable to move forward, EMDR might be the key to unlocking your path to healing. If you would like additional information about each of the 8 phases of EMDR, please review the “What To Expect In EMDR” section below.
Why Combine EMDR with Internal Family Systems (IFS)?
Both EMDR and IFS focus on healing from the inside out, making them a natural pairing. While EMDR processes past distressing events, IFS explores your internal landscape, the parts of you that carry pain, fear, or protectiveness. By integrating these approaches, we address the whole picture: the traumatic memories and the adaptations you have created around them to try to keep moving forward. This combined approach is particularly effective for individuals who feel conflicted or struggle with self-compassion. It’s a compassionate, nonjudgmental approach that allows you to work through difficult memories with curiosity and self-kindness.
Can EMDR Therapy Help With Anxiety and Stress?
Absolutely. Many people come to therapy seeking relief from anxiety and chronic stress, which can often be rooted in past experiences or unresolved emotions. EMDR helps by targeting the underlying causes of your anxiety, not just the symptoms. When EMDR and IFS are used together, they can foster a sense of calm and resilience.
FAQs About EMDR Therapy
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Bilateral stimulation refers to alternating movements or sounds that engage both sides of your brain, facilitating memory processing. This can also include using tappers, a device that you hold in your hand which gently vibrates separately in each palm, or tapping you may do from your home when doing telehealth.
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My approach combines EMDR with IFS, mindfulness, and compassion-focused techniques. With extensive experience in helping clients navigate anxiety, trauma, and life transitions, I provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can fully explore your healing journey. By addressing both the root causes of distress and the protective mechanisms you’ve developed, this therapy fosters deep, lasting transformation.
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If you’ve tried other therapies without success or feel like traditional approaches haven’t reached the root of your struggles, EMDR may be an excellent fit. People often seek EMDR when they feel stuck, triggered by reminders of the past, or unable to move forward despite their best efforts. During our work together, we’ll explore your goals and determine if EMDR aligns with your healing journey.
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It depends on your insurance plan. I operate on a private-pay basis, but I am happy to provide a super-bill if you would like to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.
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Every session is tailored to your needs, but a typical session includes:
1. Checking in and grounding exercises.
2. Identifying the target memory or issue.
3. Using eye movements (or other forms of engagement) to process the memory.
4. Reflecting on insights and changes in emotional intensity.
Begin EMDR Therapy in Tempe, Arizona
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1. Schedule a Consultation.
I offer a complimentary conversation to discuss your specific needs, and any concerns and questions you may have. I'll ask for some basic information to get to know you and also use this time to answer any questions that you might have. If it feels like we are a good fit for working together, we will schedule either an in-person or online appointment.
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2. Therapy Begins.
In the first couple of sessions, I will learn more about you and together we will explore the goals you have for therapy.
Goal setting that aligns with your values and needs is very important in counseling. If we want to get somewhere, it’s helpful to have a plan. Are we going in the right direction? Are we making the progress that you want? Processing your past is no different and we always want to set you up for success.
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3. Begin Your Healing.
My goal is to provide a warm, supportive environment where you can carefully explore difficult emotions and memories. Sessions often feel both challenging and empowering as you experience real-time shifts in how you perceive your past and present. Let’s work together to help you move from surviving to thriving.
The length and number of sessions will differ depending on your goals and needs for therapy. For some, a handful of sessions to address a specific issue will be enough, while others may need consistent, weekly or bi-weekly sessions depending on their needs. We can discuss this in further detail to ensure you are receiving the support you are looking for.
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EMDR Therapy in Tempe, AZ
Are You Ready?
Ready to move past what’s been holding you back? IFS-informed EMDR can help you process the past while building a deeper connection with yourself.
My practice in Tempe, AZ, offers both in-person and virtual sessions, making therapy accessible no matter your schedule. If you’d like to learn more, let’s talk—schedule a consultation today!
Other Mental Health Services at Wonder Counseling & Consulting
EMDR treatment is only one service I provide in the Tempe, AZ counseling practice. Life is complicated and more often than not we may struggle with more than one issue. Additional services are available in the Tempe office, as well as online anywhere in Arizona. I’m here to help you find the peace and calm you are looking for.
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