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Frequently Asked Questions
EMDR FAQ
EMDR is a type of therapy that helps your brain and body finish processing experiences that still feel “stuck.” Even when you know something is over or no longer dangerous, your nervous system might keep reacting as if it isn’t. EMDR helps those reactions soften so memories, emotions, and body responses don’t feel as intense or intrusive.
During EMDR, you stay fully present and in control. With guidance, you might focus on a thought, feeling, or body sensation while following gentle eye movements or sounds. Over time, this helps your nervous system settle and allows experiences to feel more distant, less charged, and easier to live with.
EMDR may be a good fit if you feel stuck in emotional or physical reactions that don’t seem to improve with insight alone. Many people seek EMDR when they notice lingering anxiety, tension, distressing memories, or patterns that feel “out of proportion” to present-day situations.
You do not need to have a clear trauma history or relive painful events in detail for EMDR to be effective. This approach is often helpful for those who want a more body-based, structured way to process experiences, at a pace that makes them feels safe and supportive. Together, we would explore whether EMDR feels appropriate for your goals and readiness.
The first EMDR session is not about diving into trauma or reliving painful memories. Instead, it’s focused on getting to know you, understanding what brings you to therapy, and making sure you feel safe, supported, and prepared.
You will never be asked to jump into trauma work before you’re ready, and you are always in control of the pace and focus of your therapy experience.
Early sessions are about building grounding skills, identifying your goals, and learning how EMDR works at a pace that feels comfortable. They are also about building trust you’re your therapist. Trauma processing only begins if and when you feel ready — and always with your consent. Many people find it reassuring to know that EMDR is a gradual, collaborative process, not something rushed or forced.
EMDR sessions are generally calm and structured. While you may bring up difficult memories or sensations, the process is designed to help your nervous system stay regulated and supported. Many people describe feeling focused, grounded, or surprised by how manageable the experience feels.
No. EMDR does not require you to verbally describe every detail of your experience. You remain in control of what you share, and much of the work happens internally, through awareness of thoughts, emotions, and body sensations.
While EMDR is well known for treating PTSD, it’s also effective for anxiety, depression, OCD, phobias, performance blocks, low self-worth, relationship patterns, and the effects of ongoing or developmental trauma. You do not need to identify a single “big” trauma to benefit.
EMDR helps the brain and body reprocess experiences that were never fully integrated at the time they occurred. By engaging the nervous system directly, EMDR can reduce the emotional and physical charge of memories more efficiently than insight alone.
EMDR is a collaborative process, and pacing is always guided by your readiness. Preparation and resourcing are essential parts of the work, ensuring you have tools to stay grounded. You can pause or stop at any time.
This varies depending on your goals, history, and the complexity of what you’re working on. Some people notice shifts within a few sessions, while others engage in longer-term work. We will regularly check in about pacing and progress.
Yes. EMDR is an extensively researched, evidence-based therapy used worldwide. When practiced by a trained clinician, it is considered safe and effective. Your therapist’s role is to ensure the work remains supportive and appropriately paced.
EMDR is not about reliving trauma in detail. While you may bring difficult experiences to mind, you are never required to describe them extensively or re-experience them in a way that feels overwhelming. The work is carefully paced and focused on helping your nervous system feel safer and more regulated.
EMDR is not a quick fix or something done to you. It’s a collaborative process that unfolds at a pace guided by your readiness and consent. Your therapist’s role is to support, guide, and ensure the work feels contained and manageable.
EMDR is not only for “big trauma.” Many people benefit from EMDR for anxiety, self-esteem issues, relationship patterns, or long-standing emotional reactions that don’t have a single clear origin.
EMDR is not hypnosis. You remain fully awake, aware, and in control throughout the session. EMDR does not involve suggestion, mind control, or entering an altered state where you lose awareness of what’s happening.
Adjunctive EMDR FAQ
Some clients choose to work with me specifically for EMDR while continuing with their primary therapist for talk therapy. This adjunctive approach can be a supportive option for those seeking focused, body-based trauma work without changing their existing therapeutic relationship.
Adjunctive EMDR means working with me specifically for EMDR and somatic trauma processing while you continue seeing your primary therapist for ongoing talk therapy. This allows you to focus on different aspects of healing with different providers, in a coordinated and thoughtful way.
Yes. Many people find this approach helpful when they value their current therapeutic relationship but want additional support with body-based or trauma-focused work. Adjunctive EMDR is designed to complement—not replace—your existing therapy.
No. When done thoughtfully, adjunctive EMDR can actually deepen and support the work you’re already doing. With your consent, I’m happy to coordinate with your primary therapist to ensure clarity, continuity, and alignment in care.
Coordination is encouraged but not required. If you’re open to it, collaboration can help ensure that EMDR work is well-timed and supportive of your overall therapeutic goals.
Adjunctive EMDR is often sought for trauma processing, nervous system regulation, and reducing the intensity of emotional or physical responses that haven’t shifted through talk therapy alone. It can also support people who want focused, time-limited trauma work alongside longer-term relational therapy.
The focus is narrower and more targeted. Our work centers on preparation, somatic awareness, and EMDR processing, rather than ongoing weekly talk therapy or broader life exploration.
Adjunctive EMDR works best when there is a stable primary therapeutic relationship in place and when everyone involved has clarity about roles and goals. We would discuss this together to make sure it’s a good fit.
Relationship Therapy FAQ
Couples therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you’re unsure what to expect. My role is not to judge, take sides, or push an agenda, but to create a structured, neutral space where both partners can better understand what’s happening in their relationship. I will help guide you toward feeling more connected and able to navigate challenges effectively.
Not at all. Many couples begin therapy because they care about the relationship and want to improve it. Seeking support is often a sign of investment, not failure. Therapy can help address patterns early, before resentment becomes harder to untangle.
It’s very common for one partner to feel more hesitant. Therapy is not about forcing anyone to “open up” before they’re ready. My role is to create a balanced space where both partners feel heard and respected, regardless of who initiated the process.
No. Couples therapy is not about taking sides or assigning blame. My responsibility is to the relationship itself. We focus on patterns and dynamics rather than labeling one partner as the problem.
No. Therapy moves at a pace that feels manageable. The first sessions are typically focused on understanding your goals, identifying recurring patterns, and establishing a productive way to work together — not forcing emotional disclosures.
Conflict can actually be useful when it happens in a guided, structured setting. Part of the work involves noticing how conflict unfolds and learning how to shift it in real time. The goal is not to eliminate disagreement, but to help you navigate it more effectively.
Research and experience both show that couples can improve communication, reduce conflict, and rebuild trust with the right support. Therapy provides tools and structure that are often difficult to access when emotions are running high at home.
Therapy can be a space to gain clarity — whether that means strengthening the relationship or thoughtfully considering next steps. The process is about helping both partners make informed, intentional decisions rather than reactive ones.
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