EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

What is EMDR?

Sometimes it can feel like everything is “fine” on the outside, but inside you’re carrying a constant sense of stress, overwhelm, or emotional exhaustion. You might be juggling a lot; work, parenting, relationships, and responsibilities. All while quietly feeling like it’s too much to hold.

Many people also notice a disconnect between what they know intellectually and what they feel emotionally. Logically, you may understand that something is over, in the past, or “not a big deal anymore,” but your emotional response doesn’t match that. Instead, your body and nervous system still react with anxiety, anger, shame, or overwhelm as if it is happening in the present.

You might notice things like:

  • getting overwhelmed faster than you want to

  • snapping, shutting down, or feeling emotionally flooded

  • looping thoughts, guilt, or self-doubt that feel hard to stop

  • feeling like you’re always “behind” or not doing enough

  • certain situations hitting harder than they logically should

EMDR therapy can help with this.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapy approach that helps your brain and body process experiences that feel stuck or still emotionally charged. When experiences are no longer fully processed, they can continue to show up as anxiety, overwhelm, or strong emotional reactions in everyday life.

Through EMDR, we work together to help your nervous system “unstick” these experiences so they feel less intense and less disruptive. Over time, many people notice they feel more grounded, less emotionally overwhelmed, and more present in their daily lives and relationships.

We move at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you. You don’t have to push through this alone.

EMDR RESOURCES

Want to learn more about EMDR therapy? Check out some resources below!

Learn How EMDR Works!

Take a look at this video from the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). EMDRIA is a professional organization for EMDR therapists however has information for the general population about the model. You can watch this video and learn more about EMDR by visiting the EMDRIA website, emdria.org.

EMDR Books

Dr. Francine Shaprio is the founder of EMDR. In her book she explains how our past informs our present, and gives practical examples and exercises to help you learn more about yourself and others, and techniques to improve your life.

Picture of the EMDR book called Getting Past Your Past by Francine Shapiro PhD

EMDR therapy in Oregon & Massachusetts

Trauma Therapist in Beaverton, Tigard, Hillsboro and Portland, Oregon.