In-person in woodinville, WA & online

EMDR

Specialized therapy for teens & adults

You’ve tried talk therapy, journaling, and even mindfulness- but the memories still linger, triggering fear and self-doubt.

You’re still struggling with:

  • Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or emotional triggers that won’t seem to fade.

  • Feeling stuck in patterns of anxiety, fear, or self-doubt despite your best efforts.

  • A deep sense of overwhelm or disconnection that makes it hard to move forward.

Even when you try to push them away, certain situations, places, or conversations bring back painful memories, making it hard to feel safe or at peace.

No matter how much you try to rationalize your feelings or use coping strategies, the emotional weight of past experiences still holds you back.

It feels like part of you is still trapped in the past, making it difficult to fully engage in your present life and relationships.

EMDR can help you heal and move forward.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps you process and release the emotional pain of past trauma. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR works by targeting the brain’s natural ability to heal, using guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to reprocess distressing memories. This allows your mind to reduce the emotional charge of past experiences, so they no longer feel overwhelming or intrusive.

Through EMDR, you can gain relief from anxiety, PTSD, and negative self-beliefs that may have been holding you back. Instead of just managing symptoms, EMDR helps resolve trauma at its core—allowing you to feel more present, in control, and free from the past. Whether you’re struggling with past abuse, grief, or ongoing stress, EMDR can help you create a healthier, more empowered future.

  • EMDR is rooted in neuroscience and the understanding of how the brain processes trauma. When a distressing event occurs, the brain may struggle to fully process the experience, leaving it "stuck" in the nervous system with the same emotional intensity as when it first happened. These unprocessed memories can contribute to PTSD, anxiety, and negative self-beliefs. EMDR works by stimulating the brain’s natural healing mechanisms through bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues. This process mimics the way the brain consolidates memories during REM sleep, allowing the traumatic memory to be reprocessed and integrated in a healthier way. Research has shown that EMDR can help reduce activity in the amygdala (the brain’s fear center) while strengthening connections in the prefrontal cortex, which supports rational thinking and emotional regulation. As a result, distressing memories lose their emotional charge, enabling individuals to feel calmer, more in control, and less triggered by past events.

  • EMDR sessions are structured yet flexible, tailored to your unique healing process. In the beginning, your therapist will help you identify distressing memories, negative beliefs, and emotional triggers that you want to work through. You’ll then engage in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones, while focusing on a specific memory. This process allows your brain to reprocess the experience in a way that reduces emotional distress. Throughout the session, your therapist will check in with you, ensuring you feel safe and supported as new insights and emotions arise. Over time, distressing memories lose their intensity, and you’ll begin to replace negative self-beliefs with more adaptive, empowering perspectives. Many clients report feeling lighter, more at peace, and better able to move forward after EMDR therapy.

  • As a therapist trained in EMDR, I provide a safe, compassionate space for you to process past trauma and break free from the emotional weight it carries. Using EMDR, I guide you through reprocessing distressing memories in a way that allows your mind and body to heal, helping you feel more grounded, in control, and at peace. Whether you're struggling with PTSD, anxiety, or self-doubt, my goal is to help you move beyond survival mode and into a life where you feel empowered and whole. Together, we will work at your pace, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way as you reclaim your strength and emotional freedom.

eye movement desensitization & reprocessing

“

The past affects the present even without our being aware of it, and EMDR therapy helps unlock those stuck memories so you can truly heal.

Dr. Francine Shapiro

who it’s for

EMDR is for you if…

  • Individuals struggling with past trauma or PTSD – If distressing memories, flashbacks, or emotional triggers are interfering with your daily life, EMDR can help you process and heal from these experiences.

  • Those experiencing anxiety, self-doubt, or negative beliefs – EMDR helps rewire deeply ingrained thought patterns, allowing you to replace fear, shame, or low self-worth with a more empowered and balanced perspective.

  • Anyone feeling stuck despite trying other forms of therapy – If talk therapy hasn’t fully resolved the emotional pain of your past, EMDR offers a different approach that works with your brain’s natural healing process to bring lasting relief.

together, we will:

explore

the root causes of your emotional challenges.

uncover

the unresolved trauma and limiting beliefs that are holding you back.

Regain

your sense of peace, empowerment, and freedom to live a fulfilling life.

Please know this:

you are not alone in your journey. Healing takes time, but with support and commitment, you have the strength within you to overcome the obstacles you face and create a brighter, more balanced future.

  • EMDR is different from other therapeutic approaches because it directly targets the brain’s natural ability to process and heal trauma through bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which often focuses on discussing and reframing thoughts, EMDR works at a deeper, more visceral level, helping to reprocess distressing memories that are "stuck" in the nervous system. This process allows for a more rapid and effective release of emotional charge from traumatic events, leading to lasting changes in how the brain responds to past experiences. While many therapies help individuals cope with symptoms, EMDR helps resolve the root causes of emotional distress, enabling profound and lasting transformation.

  • The timeline for seeing results with EMDR can vary from person to person, depending on factors like the complexity of the trauma, the number of issues being addressed, and how your brain responds to the therapy. Some clients experience relief after just a few sessions, noticing reduced emotional intensity and greater emotional regulation. For others, it may take several sessions to start seeing significant changes, especially if deep or multiple traumas are being processed. Typically, people begin to feel a noticeable shift after 6-8 sessions, though ongoing progress continues throughout the therapy process. Your therapist will work with you to set goals and track your progress, ensuring that you’re supported every step of the way.

  • Schedule a 15-minute video consultation to see if therapy is right for you.

frequently asked questions