Eye Movement Desensitization
and Reprocessing.
Heal from the past without reliving it
EMDR is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps your brain processing 'stuck' memories. It allows you to heal from trauma without having to talk about every painful detail.
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an extensively researched, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. Here is how EMDR works at Ascend Therapy:
- Bilateral Stimulation: We use guided eye movements, tapping, or audio tones to activate your brain's natural information processing system (similar to what happens during REM sleep).
- Memory Desensitization: We help your brain "digest" stuck memories so they become just a story from the past, rather than a present-moment physical threat.
- No Detailed Retelling: Unlike traditional talk therapy, you do not have to verbally describe every painful detail of the trauma for the treatment to work.
- Faster Resolution: Many clients experience significant relief in fewer sessions compared to standard cognitive behavioral therapy.
The 8 Phases
A structured path to healing.
EMDR follows a structured, eight-phase protocol to ensure thorough and safe processing.
History
Gathering background and identifying targets for processing.
Preparation
Learning coping skills and establishing stability before processing.
Assessment
Activating the specific memory and its components (image, belief, feeling).
Desensitization
Using eye movements to work through the memory until distress drops.
Installation
Strengthening positive self-beliefs alongside the memory.
Body Scan
Ensuring no physical tension remains attached to the memory.
Closure
Returning to equilibrium at the end of every session.
Reevaluation
Assessing what changed and identifying the next target.
Beyond Just PTSD
What EMDR treats.
While developed for trauma, EMDR is effective for many conditions rooted in difficult life experiences.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions.
No. You remain in control throughout the process. While you may experience brief moments of emotional intensity, most people find EMDR less distressing than talking about trauma in detail.
No. You are fully awake, alert, and in control during EMDR. You can stop at any time. It relies on your brain's natural healing mechanisms, not suggestion.
Many people experience significant relief in fewer sessions than traditional therapy. Single-incident traumas (like a car accident) often resolve in 3-10 sessions. Complex, childhood trauma typically takes longer.
No! This is one of the biggest benefits of EMDR. We don't need all the details of the story. We focus on the memory, the emotion, and the body sensation, but you don't have to verbally retell the trauma.
Our Specialists
Meet your EMDR therapists.
Our therapists have specialized training to help you safely process traumatic memories.
Sara Banks, LCSW
Specialties
EMDR-trained specialist in anxiety, OCD, and trauma recovery.
Ready to Leave the Past Behind?
Your past doesn't have to dictate your future.