When One Event Continues to Interfere
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy that helps people process distressing memories while attending to bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, alternating sounds, or tapping. The goal is not to erase the event, but to reduce the intensity of the thoughts, emotions, and physical reactions connected to it so the memory feels less disruptive in daily life.
In this practice, EMDR is offered on a limited basis to adult women in Texas whose current concern is connected to one clearly defined event. It is not intended here for complex trauma, multiple traumatic experiences, or concerns requiring longer-term trauma treatment.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
EMDR follows a structured process. Before reprocessing begins, we will review the event, your current reactions, your readiness, and the coping resources available to you. When appropriate, you will bring aspects of the memory to mind while engaging in bilateral stimulation. We will pause regularly to notice what is changing and proceed at a manageable pace.
EMDR generally does not require you to describe every detail of the event aloud. However, you will be asked to think about the event and notice the related thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. Your response and the appropriateness of continuing with EMDR will be assessed throughout the process.
What to Expect in a Session
Your first appointment is a paid 50-minute consultation. We will discuss the event, how it continues to affect you, what you hope will change, and whether focused EMDR is appropriate for your needs.
If we decide to proceed, the initial work will include gathering relevant history, identifying the specific memory and present-day reactions connected to it, and ensuring that you have adequate strategies for managing distress. Reprocessing does not necessarily begin during the first therapy session.
During reprocessing, you will focus on aspects of the event for brief periods while engaging in bilateral stimulation. We will pause regularly to notice changes and allow time to return your attention to the present before the session ends. The number of sessions varies, and focused treatment does not guarantee immediate or predetermined results.
Who Is This EMDR Service For?
Focused EMDR may be appropriate for an adult woman in Texas who is generally functioning well but continues to experience distress, avoidance, intrusive recollections, or a mental block connected to one clearly identifiable event.
Career or Performance Setback: When one presentation, mistake, job loss, or consequential decision continues to trigger embarrassment, fear, avoidance, or a mental block in similar situations.
Isolated Workplace or Public Incident: When one clearly defined event continues to affect concentration, confidence, or comfort in a particular setting.
Dog Bite or Isolated Animal Incident: When fear or avoidance persists after one clearly defined encounter with an animal.
Motor Vehicle Accident: When driving, riding in a vehicle, or encountering reminders of the accident continues to produce fear, avoidance, or a strong physical reaction.
Another Clearly Defined Event: When there is a noticeable before and after, and one primary memory remains connected to the present concern.
What Focused EMDR May Help Change
When EMDR is appropriate, treatment may help lessen the intensity of reactions connected to the event and support more flexible responses in daily life.
Responses to EMDR vary. No particular outcome or number of sessions can be guaranteed.
Reduced Distress: The memory may feel less emotionally and physically activating when recalled or triggered.
Fewer Disruptive Reminders: Related thoughts, images, or sensations may become less intrusive and easier to manage.
Less Avoidance: Situations connected to the event may begin to feel more approachable.
Improved Confidence: The event may have less influence over confidence, concentration, or participation in similar situations.
A More Adaptive Perspective: Negative conclusions connected to the event may shift as the memory is processed.
Begin With a 50-Minute Consultation
The paid 50-minute consultation gives us time to discuss the event, how it continues to affect you, relevant background information, and whether focused EMDR is appropriate for your needs. If the fit is mutual, I will explain the recommended next steps. If EMDR or my scope of practice is not the right match, I will be direct about that as well.
I accept a limited number of focused EMDR clients at one time, so availability may vary.