In-person in Pasadena & online across ca

EMDR therapy

Specialized, trauma-informed therapy for adults

You’ve tried everything to feel better, but nothing’s really worked.

Despite trying therapy in the past, the trauma still feels alive in your body. You've talked about what happened, gained insight, learned coping strategies — but your nervous system hasn't gotten the memo. Triggers still send you spiraling. Your body still reacts like you're in danger, even when your mind knows you're safe. Talk therapy helped you understand the "why." But it didn't change the "how" — how your body holds the trauma, how quickly you get triggered, how stuck you feel in patterns you can't think your way out of. EMDR works differently.

You’re still struggling with:

A body that won't calm down, even when your mind knows you're safe

Getting triggered by things that “shouldn't” be a big deal

The exhaustion of constantly being on high alert

EMDR CAN HELP YOU MOVE FROM SURVIVING TRAUMA TO ACTUALLY HEALING FROM IT.

This specialized approach works with your brain's natural healing processes to reprocess traumatic memories that are stuck. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — like eye movements or alternating tapping — to help your nervous system complete what it couldn't finish at the time of the trauma. Instead of managing symptoms or learning to cope better, you're addressing the root cause: the unprocessed memories that keep your body stuck in survival mode.

  • When you experience trauma, your brain doesn't always process it the way it processes normal memories. The traumatic memory gets stored in fragments — images, sensations, emotions, beliefs — without being fully digested. That's why triggers can pull you right back into the experience, making it feel like the trauma is happening now rather than in the past.

    EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) uses bilateral stimulation — rhythmic left-right eye movements, tapping, or sounds — to activate both hemispheres of your brain while you briefly focus on the traumatic memory. This process helps your brain reprocess the memory the way it should have originally, integrating it as a past event rather than a present threat.

    The result? The memory loses its emotional charge. You can remember what happened without your body reacting like you're still in danger. EMDR has been extensively researched and is recognized by the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, and the Department of Veterans Affairs as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD.When you experience trauma, your brain doesn't always process it the way it processes normal memories. The traumatic memory gets stored in fragments — images, sensations, emotions, beliefs — without being fully digested. That's why triggers can pull you right back into the experience, making it feel like the trauma is happening now rather than in the past. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) uses bilateral stimulation — rhythmic left-right eye movements, tapping, or sounds — to activate both hemispheres of your brain while you briefly focus on the traumatic memory. This process helps your brain reprocess the memory the way it should have originally, integrating it as a past event rather than a present threat. The result? The memory loses its emotional charge. You can remember what happened without your body reacting like you're still in danger. EMDR has been extensively researched and is recognized by the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, and the Department of Veterans Affairs as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD.

  • EMDR sessions are structured but not rigid. We start with preparation — making sure you feel safe, teaching grounding techniques, and building internal resources. Only when you're ready do we begin reprocessing traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds).

    You stay in control the entire time. You can pause, slow down, or stop whenever you need to. You don't have to describe every detail of what happened for EMDR to work — your brain knows what needs processing.

    Sessions can be intense, but they're not retraumatizing. You might feel emotional or tired afterward as your brain continues digesting what we've worked on. That's normal and part of the healing process.

    EMDR moves at your pace. Some memories resolve quickly; others take more time. There's no rush.

  • EMDR can help you move from being controlled by your trauma to carrying it without it defining you.

    EMDR can reduce or eliminate flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive memories that have been pulling you back into the past. It can decrease hypervigilance, panic attacks, and the constant undercurrent of anxiety that makes it hard to relax. Many people find they're finally able to feel safe in their own bodies again — not just intellectually, but viscerally.

    EMDR also works to release the shame, guilt, and negative beliefs that formed during the trauma — beliefs like "I'm not safe," "It was my fault," or "I'm broken." As these beliefs are reprocessed, you often find it easier to connect with others and be present in your life without constantly bracing for the next threat.

    The goal isn't to forget what happened. It's to process it so fully that it becomes a memory you can live with rather than one that lives inside you.

EMDR

“

The past is past, and it cannot be changed. However, the effects of the past can be changed.

-Francine Shapiro, founder of EMDR

who it’s for

EMDR is for you if…

  • -Talk therapy helped you understand your trauma, but you still feel stuck

  • You want to heal trauma without reliving every detail

  • Your body reacts to triggers faster than your mind can catch up

  • You experience flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, or hypervigilance

  • You're ready to do deeper work at the level of your nervous system

who it’s not for

EMDR is not for you if…

  • You're in active crisis or experiencing severe suicidal thoughts

  • You have active substance use that's not yet stabilized

  • You're not ready to engage with difficult memories (no judgment — timing matters)

together, we will:

explore

The traumatic memories and experiences keeping you stuck, without forcing you to relive every detail or describe what you're not ready to share.

uncover

The negative beliefs about yourself that formed during the trauma — beliefs like "I'm not safe," "It was my fault," or "I'm broken" — and help your brain reprocess them.

Regain

A sense of safety in your body, trust in yourself, and the freedom to live without your past controlling your present.

Please know this:

Healing is possible.

Schedule a free consultation

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a specialized therapy approach designed to help your brain process traumatic memories that are stuck. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — like eye movements, tapping, or sounds — to activate both sides of your brain while you briefly focus on a traumatic memory. This helps your brain reprocess the memory the way it should have originally, so it becomes a neutral past event rather than something that still triggers intense emotional and physical reactions. EMDR is recognized by the American Psychological Association, World Health Organization, and Department of Veterans Affairs as an evidence-based treatment for trauma and PTSD.

  • No. One of the benefits of EMDR is that it can work without you having to verbalize every detail of the trauma. You don't have to tell me the whole story if you're not ready or if talking about it feels retraumatizing. Your brain knows what needs processing, and EMDR can help even when you keep certain details private. That said, some people do find it helpful to talk about their experiences, and that's completely fine too. You're always in control of what you share.

  • EMDR has strong research backing. Studies show that EMDR can significantly reduce or eliminate PTSD symptoms, often more quickly than traditional talk therapy alone. Brain imaging research demonstrates that EMDR changes how trauma is stored in the brain — reducing activity in the amygdala (threat detection center) and increasing activity in the prefrontal cortex (rational thinking and emotional regulation). It's endorsed by major organizations including the American Psychological Association, World Health Organization, and the VA. That said, like any therapy, results vary by person. Some people see dramatic shifts in a few sessions; others need more time.

  • Traditional talk therapy focuses on understanding your trauma, exploring patterns, gaining insight, and developing coping skills — all of which are valuable. EMDR does some of that too, but it goes a step further by working directly with how trauma is stored in your brain and nervous system. Talk therapy helps you understand why you feel the way you do; EMDR helps change how your body responds. Many people find that EMDR resolves trauma symptoms that talk therapy alone couldn't shift — like flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, or intense emotional reactions to triggers.

  • It varies. Some people see significant improvement in 6-12 sessions, especially if they're working on a single traumatic event. Complex trauma or multiple traumatic experiences usually take longer — sometimes many months. We always start with preparation sessions to build resources and ensure you feel safe before we begin reprocessing traumatic memories. EMDR moves at the pace your nervous system needs. Some memories process quickly; others take more time. There's no rush.

  • Schedule a Free Consultation and choose a time that works for you. We'll spend 20 minutes on the phone talking about what you're looking for and whether my approach feels like a good match. If it does, we'll schedule your first session and get started. If not, that's okay too — I'm happy to provide referrals to other therapists who might be a better fit.

frequently asked questions