HOW EMDR CAN HELP
It isn't about forgetting.
It's remembering without the weight.
At Creative Resilience Mental Health Counseling, we offer EMDR therapy online for adults in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps your brain process painful memories so they stop running your present.
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Whether you're living with PTSD or carrying memories that still sting, EMDR changes how those experiences are stored so they lose their charge. Many clients find they sleep better, react less to old triggers, and feel more at ease day to day. Your brain already knows how to heal. We help it get unstuck.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR is a structured, evidence-based therapy developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It was first designed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it's now also used for anxiety, depression, phobias, and other struggles rooted in painful experiences.
Instead of relying only on talking through what happened, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (guided eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds) while you briefly focus on a memory. This helps your brain do what it normally does with hard experiences: process them, file them away, and let them feel like the past.
The eight phases of EMDR
EMDR follows a structured, eight-phase process: (1) history and treatment planning, (2) preparation, (3) assessment, (4) desensitization, (5) installation, (6) body scan, (7) closure, and (8) reevaluation. The early phases focus on getting to know you and building coping skills, so you feel steady before any memory work begins.
The World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association both include EMDR in their guidelines for treating PTSD. You don't have to describe every detail of what happened, which makes EMDR a good fit for people who find traditional talk therapy hard. The goal isn't to erase the past. It's to lower its emotional intensity so you can remember without feeling overwhelmed.
Frequently asked questions
How does EMDR therapy work? EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing model, the idea that distressing memories can get stored in a raw, unprocessed way. That's why an old experience can still bring up the same fear, shame, or panic years later. During EMDR, you hold a specific memory in mind (the image, the feelings, the body sensations) while following bilateral stimulation. Over repeated sets, the memory usually loses its emotional charge and more helpful beliefs come in, like shifting from "I'm powerless" to "I got through it." Researchers are still studying exactly why it works, but its results are well documented.
How many sessions of EMDR are usually needed? It depends on what you're working on. A single upsetting event may take a handful of sessions. Long-term or complex trauma, including attachment wounds, usually takes longer. The first sessions focus on preparation, so you have coping tools in place before processing starts. Your therapist will check in with you about progress along the way.
Who is a good candidate for EMDR therapy? EMDR can help if you're carrying pain from a single event or from years of difficult experiences. It's best known for treating PTSD, and it's also used for anxiety, phobias, grief, and old emotional wounds that keep showing up in the present. It can be a good fit if you understand your story but still feel stuck in it. Your therapist will talk with you about readiness, since EMDR works best when you have enough stability and support in place first.
What is the success rate of EMDR therapy? EMDR is one of the most researched therapies for trauma. Studies have found that many people with single-incident trauma no longer meet criteria for PTSD after a relatively small number of sessions, and international treatment guidelines recommend it alongside trauma-focused CBT. Results vary by person and by the kind of trauma, and complex trauma usually takes longer. Progress might look like less distress when you think about a memory, fewer intrusive thoughts, better sleep, or simply feeling more grounded. It isn't an instant fix, but the change tends to last.
How do you feel immediately after EMDR therapy? Many people feel lighter or clearer. Others feel tired, like their mind has been working hard. Both are normal. Emotions can come up for a while before they settle, and you might notice physical shifts like tension easing. We always end sessions with grounding so you leave feeling steady. Your brain keeps processing for a day or so afterward, so plan to go easy on yourself.
How often should EMDR be done? Most clients meet weekly for standard-length therapy sessions. Sometimes your therapist will suggest a regular talk therapy session between EMDR targets to give you time to settle before moving on. The pace is based on what you need and how ready you feel.
What is the first session of EMDR like? Your first sessions are about building a foundation, not diving into trauma. Your therapist will learn about your history, talk through your goals, and help you identify the memories or patterns you want to work on. You'll also practice calming and grounding skills to use during and between sessions. Once you're ready to process, your therapist will guide you to bring up a target memory, name the negative belief attached to it, and rate how distressing it feels on a 0 to 10 scale. Then short sets of bilateral stimulation begin. After each set your therapist asks what you noticed, and the process repeats until the distress comes down. Later phases strengthen a positive belief and check for any leftover tension in the body.
Can EMDR be done virtually? Yes. All of our EMDR sessions happen online through a secure telehealth platform. Bilateral stimulation works well over video, using on-screen eye movement tools or self-tapping. You'll need a private space and a reliable internet connection, plus headphones if your therapist uses audio tones. We work with clients located in New York, New Jersey, Florida, and North Carolina. Availability depends on your state and your therapist's licensure.
Is EMDR like hypnosis? No. You stay awake, aware, and in control the whole time. EMDR doesn't change your state of consciousness. It helps you revisit a memory in a structured, grounded way while your brain reprocesses it, and you can pause at any point.
Do you talk during EMDR? Yes, but differently than in regular talk therapy. Early sessions involve plenty of conversation about your history, goals, and coping skills. During processing, talking is brief: after each set of bilateral stimulation you share a few words about what came up. You don't need to explain or analyze it. At the end of the session there's more conversation to help you settle before you go.
Is EMDR covered by insurance? EMDR is a form of psychotherapy, so it's usually billed like a regular therapy session under your mental health benefits. We're an insurance-based practice, and our team will check your benefits before your first session so you know what to expect. Visit our Insurance & Info page for details.
Who provides EMDR at Creative Resilience? Mateja Petje, LMFT, and Jennifer Rooney, LMHC-D, provide EMDR therapy on our team. You can learn more about each of them on the Our Team page, or book a free consultation and we'll help you find the right fit.
Begin your healing with EMDR
Healing goes beyond managing symptoms. It means getting to the roots of what hurts and breaking free from patterns that keep you stuck. If past experiences are holding you back, EMDR can help you find relief, and our team will guide you through the process with care.
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How to get started:
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We'll check your insurance benefits and match you with an EMDR-trained therapist.
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Schedule your first session and start building your foundation.
