EMDR Therapy in Vancouver, WA

When a painful experience won't stay in the past — when it surfaces in your sleep, your body, or your reactions to everyday moments — it can feel like part of you is stuck there. EMDR is a structured, research-backed therapy designed to help your mind reprocess those experiences so they no longer hold you back, allowing you to move through life with greater steadiness and self-compassion. I offer EMDR in person in Vancouver, Washington, to adults, teens, and children working through trauma and other distressing life experiences.

What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's a therapy developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro to help people heal from trauma and overwhelming life events.

The idea behind it is that distressing memories can get "stuck," stored in the brain in a way that keeps them feeling raw and present long after the event is over. During EMDR, I guide you to briefly recall a difficult memory while you follow a form of gentle bilateral (side-to-side) stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping. This process appears to help the brain do what it naturally does during healthy sleep: reprocess the experience, so the memory becomes less emotionally charged and easier to live with.

EMDR is recognized as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder by leading health organizations, including the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization. One reason many people are drawn to it: unlike some talk therapies, EMDR doesn't require you to describe the details of what happened aloud or relive it at length.

What EMDR can help with

EMDR is best known for treating trauma and PTSD, but it can support healing across a range of experiences, including:

- Single-incident trauma, such as an accident, assault, or medical event

- Childhood or developmental trauma and its lasting effects

- Grief and loss that feels unresolved

- Anxiety, panic, and phobias

- Painful memories that fuel low self-worth or self-criticism

- Distressing life transitions that left a lasting emotional imprint

If you're not sure whether what you've been through "counts," it does. Trauma isn't measured by how it would look to someone else — it's about how an experience has affected you.

What to expect in an EMDR session

EMDR follows a structured process, and we never rush into the hard parts. We begin by getting to know your history and what you'd like to work on, and by building skills to help you feel grounded and resourced — so you have steady footing before we approach anything difficult.

When we begin reprocessing, you'll hold a memory loosely in mind during short sets of bilateral stimulation, then simply notice whatever comes up — thoughts, feelings, sensations. There's no right or wrong response. Over time, we work toward replacing the old, painful belief tied to the memory ("I'm not safe," "it was my fault") with a truer, more grounded one. You stay in control the entire time, and we move at a pace that feels manageable for you.

I provide EMDR in person at my Vancouver office, where the in-person setting supports the focus and safety this work calls for.

Is EMDR right for you?

EMDR can be a good fit if talk therapy has helped you understand your experiences but hasn't fully settled how they feel, or if certain memories still carry a charge you can't seem to think your way out of. It can also be a gentler entry point for people who find it hard to talk about what happened directly.

Because EMDR works with deep material, careful preparation matters, and part of our early work together is making sure you feel ready and supported. A consultation is the best way to explore whether it's the right approach for you right now — there's no pressure to commit before it feels right.

My approach

I'm a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate and Mental Health Counselor Associate with training in EMDR, and I bring a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental presence to this work. Alongside EMDR, I draw on person-centered, Acceptance and Commitment, Solution-Focused, and Narrative approaches, tailoring our work to you rather than fitting you to a method. My hope is to offer a space where you can face hard things with support and move toward genuine healing, connection, and resilience.

Frequently asked questions

What does an EMDR session actually feel like?

Most people find it less intense than they expect. You stay present and awake the whole time, noticing your own thoughts and sensations. Some moments can bring up emotions, but you're always in control, and we've built tools to help you stay grounded.

Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?

No. One of the things people appreciate about EMDR is that you don't have to narrate or explain the details of what happened. You only need to hold the experience in mind.

Is EMDR backed by research?

Yes. EMDR is one of the more extensively studied therapies for trauma and PTSD and is recommended by major health organizations. As with any therapy, results vary from person to person.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on what you're working through. Some people experience meaningful relief relatively quickly, while longer-standing or layered experiences take more time. We'll talk about what's realistic for your situation.

Do you offer EMDR online?

I provide EMDR in person at my Vancouver office. If you're interested in teletherapy, I offer other approaches virtually to clients across Washington — reach out and we can talk through the best fit.

Take the next step

You don't have to keep carrying it the same way. If you'd like to explore whether EMDR could help, reach out to schedule a free consultation, and we'll figure out the right starting point together.