Recommended Worldwide
The World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies all recognize EMDR as an effective treatment for PTSD.
EMDR Therapy
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, research-backed therapy that helps your brain process painful memories that have gotten stuck.
Sometimes, traditional talk therapy can only go so far because trauma is stored in a part of the brain that words can’t always reach. Think of EMDR as a way to “digest” painful memories that have been stuck. It helps your brain process these experiences so they finally feel like they belong in the past, rather than intruding on your present.
During EMDR, you briefly bring a memory to mind while following a gentle back-and-forth rhythm of eye movements, tones, or taps. This supports your brain’s natural ability to heal. Over time, the memory loses its emotional charge. You still remember what happened, but it no longer floods you with fear, shame, or panic.
A Proven Treatment for PTSD and Trauma
Backed by Decades of Research
EMDR has been studied for more than 30 years and is one of the most thoroughly researched trauma therapies available today.
No Need to Retell Every Detail
EMDR doesn’t require you to describe painful events at length. Healing comes as your brain reprocesses the memory, not through telling the story over and over.
Change That Lasts
Clients often find that memories feel less intense, triggers lose their grip, and their body feels calmer. Many also discover kinder, truer beliefs about themselves, like “I’m safe now” or “It wasn’t my fault.”
What EMDR Can Help With
EMDR is best known as a treatment for PTSD, and it can help with many experiences that leave a lasting mark:
PTSD and single-incident trauma, such as an accident, an assault, or a sudden lossChildhood trauma and painful experiences that built up over timeAnxiety and panic rooted in past experiencesDepression connected to difficult life eventsDistressing memories that still feel raw, even years laterPainful beliefs about yourself, like “I’m not enough” or “I’m not safe”
What to Expect in EMDR Therapy
EMDR follows a clear, eight-phase approach, and you set the pace. You never have to share more than you’re ready to, and you can pause or stop at any time.
Getting to know you: Your therapist learns your history and goals, and together you choose what to work on.Building safety first: Before working on any memory, you learn grounding and calming skills to use in and out of session.Reprocessing: You focus on a specific memory while following sets of eye movements, tones, or taps, noticing whatever comes up, until the memory feels less disturbing.Strengthening the positive: A healthier belief about yourself is reinforced until it feels true.Ending each session grounded: Every session closes with you feeling calm and steady, and the next one begins by checking in on your progress.
Sessions usually last 60 to 90 minutes. Some people notice relief quickly, while others need more time to build trust and safety first. Both are completely okay.
EMDR at Console Counseling
Several of our therapists are trained in EMDR, including Michael Hazeltine, Paige Benedict, Alena Chalmers, and Wren Bleisch. They combine EMDR with mindfulness and grounding techniques, so you can process even the most difficult experiences without feeling overwhelmed or “re-traumatized.”
We move at a pace that honors your comfort level, ensuring you never feel rushed or pressured to share more than you’re ready for. You’ve been carrying this weight for long enough. When you’re ready to lay it down, we are here to help you find your way home to yourself.