EMDR
Therapy in California
EMDR Trauma Therapy in California (Bay Area & Online)
I support clients using EMDR therapy to heal from traumatic experiences, anxiety, PTSD, and stuck patterns following overwhelm. Many people come in feeling on edge, emotionally numb, triggered, or exhausted from carrying so much for so long. My approach is trauma informed and grounded in restoring safety and choice, blending EMDR with psychodynamic therapy, IFS parts work and somatic regulation.
Sessions are practical and supportive. We start by clarifying goals, building stabilization skills, and identifying the memories and themes that keep getting activated. When you are ready, we use bilateral stimulation to help your brain reprocess what happened, reduce emotional intensity, and loosen beliefs like “I’m not safe” or “it’s my fault.”
Pacing is steady and compassionate. I am queer affirming and culturally responsive. The goal is real relief and the ability to feel present in your life and relationships. I offer virtual therapy across California.
EMDR Therapy: How It Works, What It Treats, and the Healing Process
EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence based trauma therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they no longer feel like they are happening in the present. EMDR is commonly used for PTSD and complex trauma (CPTSD), and it can also help with anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, grief, medical trauma, attachment trauma, and childhood trauma. If you live with intrusive memories, nightmares, emotional flashbacks, hypervigilance, dissociation, shame, or a constant sense of being unsafe, EMDR treatment can reduce symptoms and support long term healing. The goal is not to force you to relive the past. The goal is to help traumatic memories become integrated so they stop driving fear, avoidance, and intense body reactions.
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EMDR works through a structured process that targets traumatic memories, present day triggers, and the negative beliefs attached to them. Many trauma survivors carry beliefs like “I am not safe,” “I am powerless,” “I am bad,” or “it was my fault.” In EMDR sessions, we identify a target memory and the sensations, emotions, and thoughts linked to it, then use bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or tones, to support reprocessing. This dual attention approach helps the nervous system stay connected to the present while the brain processes what was frozen in the past. Over time, the emotional charge of the memory decreases, trauma triggers soften, and the body feels less reactive. People often notice fewer PTSD symptoms, reduced anxiety and depression, improved sleep, and more capacity to stay grounded in relationships.
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People often search for EMDR therapy in San Francisco or online EMDR therapy in California because they want practical trauma treatment that creates real change. EMDR can be effective for PTSD, complex PTSD, childhood trauma, sexual abuse, assault, emotional abuse, chronic criticism, high conflict family dynamics, accidents, injuries, medical procedures, complicated grief, and distressing experiences that still feel unresolved. EMDR can also help when talk therapy has given you insight, but your nervous system still reacts with panic, shutdown, fawning, people pleasing, or overwhelm. If your reactions feel bigger than the present moment, EMDR therapy can help identify the original roots of the response and reduce the intensity.
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The EMDR healing process is paced, collaborative, and trauma informed. Early sessions focus on safety, stabilization, and nervous system regulation skills so therapy feels manageable, especially if you have complex trauma, dissociation, or a long history of stress. We clarify goals, map triggers, and identify the memories and themes most connected to your symptoms today. When you are ready, we begin EMDR reprocessing in a way that is consent based and carefully paced. You stay in control throughout. Many clients experience relief as memories feel more distant, self blame softens, and beliefs shift toward “I survived,” “I’m safe now,” and “I can trust myself.” With steady pacing and support, EMDR therapy can help you heal trauma, reduce PTSD and anxiety symptoms, and build a felt sense of safety, agency, and wholeness.
EMDR Therapy for Trauma Recovery: Phases, Targets, and Healing
EMDR therapy for trauma recovery is increasingly recognized as an evidence based trauma therapy for PTSD, complex PTSD (CPTSD), anxiety, and distressing memories that still feel “stuck.” Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed to help the brain and nervous system process traumatic experiences so they stop showing up as intrusive thoughts, emotional flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, shame, hypervigilance, and body based trauma triggers. Many people seek EMDR therapy in San Francisco or online EMDR therapy in California because they want practical trauma treatment that goes beyond insight and helps symptoms actually shift. If you have a history of childhood trauma, medical trauma, assault, accidents, high conflict relationships, or chronic stress and overwhelm, EMDR can support lasting healing by reducing the intensity of memories and transforming negative beliefs such as “I’m not safe,” “I’m powerless,” or “it was my fault.”
Preparation and stabilization: EMDR therapy starts with building safety and nervous system regulation so the work feels manageable. This phase can include grounding skills, resourcing, coping strategies for anxiety, and support for dissociation, shutdown, or overwhelm. You and your EMDR therapist clarify goals, identify current symptoms like PTSD, depression, sleep problems, or panic, and map the triggers that keep getting activated. Preparation matters because trauma recovery is not about pushing through. It is about pacing, consent, and building enough stability so your system can process without feeling flooded.
Targeting and assessment: Next, EMDR targets specific memories, themes, and present day triggers connected to your distress. In trauma therapy, symptoms often link back to earlier experiences that shaped your nervous system and sense of self. During assessment, you identify the image or moment, the emotions, the body sensations, and the negative cognition, along with a preferred positive belief like “I’m safe now” or “I can handle this.” This creates a clear roadmap for reprocessing and helps EMDR stay focused, structured, and effective.
Reprocessing with bilateral stimulation: In the core phase of EMDR therapy, you use bilateral stimulation such as guided eye movements, tapping, or tones while noticing what arises. This dual attention process helps your brain digest what was stored in an unprocessed way and reduces the emotional charge of the memory. Over time, many clients notice that trauma triggers lose intensity, the memory feels farther away, and the body no longer reacts as if the danger is happening now. EMDR can reduce PTSD symptoms, soften anxiety and depression, and support trauma recovery by helping the nervous system update from “still threatened” to “safe in the present.”
Installation, body scan, and closure: As distress decreases, EMDR reinforces the new adaptive belief and checks how the body is holding the experience. Somatic shifts are often a key part of healing, because trauma is stored in the body as well as the mind. Closure supports regulation at the end of sessions so you leave feeling grounded. Trauma therapy should feel supportive and contained, not destabilizing.
Ongoing healing and future templates: EMDR therapy is not only about the past. It can also target current triggers and build future readiness for situations that used to cause panic, people pleasing, avoidance, or shutdown. Many people experience increased self trust, better boundaries, less reactivity in relationships, and more capacity for calm. Whether you are looking for EMDR for PTSD, EMDR for CPTSD, EMDR for anxiety, or EMDR for childhood trauma, the aim is the same: real relief, a more regulated nervous system, and a life where the past no longer runs the present.
EMDR Therapy and Relationships: Healing Trauma Patterns, Attachment Wounds, and Connection
EMDR therapy for relationships focuses on how trauma affects attachment, communication, and nervous system reactions in romantic relationships, family relationships, and close friendships. Many people seek EMDR therapy in San Francisco and online EMDR therapy in California because relationship triggers can feel intense, confusing, and hard to control, especially with PTSD, complex PTSD (CPTSD), childhood trauma, emotional abuse, abandonment trauma, betrayal trauma, or high conflict relationship history. Trauma can shape anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, disorganized attachment, people pleasing, fawning, perfectionism, conflict avoidance, and fear of abandonment. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence based trauma therapy that helps reprocess distressing memories so they stop driving anxiety, hypervigilance, jealousy, shutdown, emotional flashbacks, panic, and relationship insecurity. When trauma is processed with EMDR, many clients experience more emotional regulation, stronger boundaries, improved self esteem, and more secure attachment in relationships.
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Trauma patterns in relationships often show up as nervous system survival responses. You may feel activated by a delayed text, a change in tone, a partner needing space, criticism, disagreement, or uncertainty. Trauma triggers can lead to reassurance seeking, over explaining, apologizing, caretaking, or trying to manage a partner’s mood. Other people respond with emotional numbness, distance, withdrawal, shutdown, dissociation, or avoiding vulnerability. These reactions often come from earlier attachment wounds, childhood trauma, emotionally unavailable caregivers, unsafe relationships, or experiences of manipulation, betrayal, or chronic criticism. EMDR therapy for relationship trauma targets the root memories that taught your body that closeness is unsafe and that love requires adaptation. When those memories are reprocessed, the nervous system learns the difference between past danger and present day relationships.
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Common examples of relationship trauma responses include responding immediately even when exhausted, prioritizing a partner’s needs over your own, scanning for rejection, replaying conversations, anticipating conflict, freezing during arguments, fawning to prevent abandonment, or feeling intense shame after normal relationship tension. These patterns are common with CPTSD, anxiety, depression, attachment trauma, and relational trauma. EMDR can reduce relationship anxiety by reprocessing the early experiences that created core beliefs like “I’m too much,” “I’m not enough,” “I’m not safe,” “I can’t trust,” or “I’ll be left.” As EMDR reduces the emotional charge of traumatic memories, many clients notice fewer emotional flashbacks, less reactivity, and more capacity to stay present, grounded, and connected.
The EMDR healing process for relationships is structured, trauma informed, and paced. Early EMDR sessions focus on stabilization skills, grounding, resourcing, and nervous system regulation so you can handle relationship stress without becoming flooded. Then EMDR reprocessing uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or tones, while you hold dual attention on the present and the target memory. EMDR therapy helps the brain digest what was stuck and update the memory network, which can reduce triggers and increase felt safety. Over time, EMDR can support healthier communication, clearer boundary setting, improved self trust, and secure attachment behaviors. If you are looking for EMDR therapy for relationship trauma, EMDR for childhood trauma, EMDR for CPTSD, EMDR for anxiety in relationships, or EMDR for attachment wounds, the goal is lasting change: emotional regulation, stronger boundaries, and relationships that feel safe, mutual, and authentic.
EMDR Therapy and Somatic Therapy: Healing Narcissistic Abuse, Supporting Womxn, and Helping Teens
EMDR therapy and somatic therapy are two trauma informed approaches that help people heal not just through insight, but through real change in the nervous system. Many people come to therapy feeling stuck in anxiety, overwhelm, emotional numbness, panic, shame, or intense relationship triggers. They may understand their story but still feel reactive in their body. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and somatic therapy both focus on helping the brain and body process what happened, so the past stops intruding on the present.
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EMDR therapy is an evidence based trauma therapy that helps reprocess distressing memories and reduce symptoms like PTSD, CPTSD, intrusive thoughts, emotional flashbacks, and hypervigilance. In EMDR, we identify a memory or theme that still feels charged, notice the thoughts and body sensations connected to it, and use bilateral stimulation such as eye movements or tapping. Over time, the nervous system learns that the event is over. Many clients feel less triggered, less anxious, and more steady in relationships. Somatic therapy complements EMDR by paying close attention to what your body is doing in real time. We track sensations like tightness, numbness, shaking, warmth, or shutting down, and we practice gentle regulation skills so your body has more capacity to feel safe.
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These approaches can be especially helpful for healing narcissistic abuse. Narcissistic abuse often involves gaslighting, emotional manipulation, control, and chronic criticism, which can leave people doubting themselves and staying on high alert. Survivors may develop people pleasing, fawning, perfectionism, difficulty with boundaries, or fear of abandonment. EMDR and somatic therapy can help by targeting the moments that shaped those beliefs and reactions, and by building self trust again. The goal is not to analyze the narcissist forever. The goal is to heal the impact and strengthen your sense of self.
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Womxn often carry layers of relational trauma, cultural stress, and pressure to care for others. Therapy that includes EMDR and somatic work can support confidence, boundaries, and emotional regulation, especially for anxiety, burnout, and trauma. Teens also benefit from these approaches when they feel overwhelmed, shut down, or reactive. EMDR and somatic therapy can help teens process bullying, family conflict, grief, medical experiences, or other stressors, while learning coping skills that actually work in their bodies.
Both EMDR therapy and somatic therapy are paced, consent based, and practical. You stay in control, and we go at a steady speed. Over time, many clients feel calmer, clearer, and more able to show up in relationships with less fear and more choice.
EMDR Therapy FAQ (San Francisco, Marin + Online in California)
1) What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence based trauma therapy that helps your brain and nervous system process distressing memories so they feel less intense and less “present.” It is commonly used for PTSD, complex PTSD (CPTSD), and trauma related anxiety.
2) What does EMDR stand for?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
3) How does EMDR therapy work?
EMDR uses a structured approach plus bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or tones) while you hold a memory in mind. This can help the brain reprocess trauma, reduce emotional charge, and update negative beliefs linked to the memory.
4) Is EMDR evidence based?
Yes. EMDR is widely recognized as an evidence based treatment for PTSD and is commonly used by trauma therapists for trauma-related symptoms.
5) What is bilateral stimulation in EMDR?
Bilateral stimulation is a left-right rhythm used during EMDR, most often through guided eye movements, alternating taps, or alternating tones. It supports trauma processing while you stay grounded in the present.
6) What does EMDR feel like in a session?
It varies. Some people notice emotions, body sensations, images, or thoughts shifting quickly. Others feel subtle changes over multiple sessions. Good EMDR therapy is paced, consent based, and you remain in control.
7) Do I have to relive my trauma in EMDR?
No. You do not have to share every detail out loud. EMDR focuses on your internal experience, and you can keep details private while still doing effective trauma work.
8) What can EMDR therapy help with?
EMDR can help with PTSD, complex trauma, childhood trauma, panic attacks, phobias, grief, medical trauma, attachment trauma, and distressing memories related to relationships, accidents, or abuse.
9) Can EMDR help with anxiety and panic attacks?
Yes. EMDR for anxiety often focuses on the roots of fear responses and on triggers that activate panic, dread, or hypervigilance.
10) Can EMDR help with depression?
It can. When depression is linked to trauma, chronic stress, shame, or negative core beliefs, EMDR may reduce emotional burden and support mood improvement.
11) Can EMDR help with complex PTSD (CPTSD)?
Yes, many trauma therapists use EMDR for complex PTSD. CPTSD work often includes more preparation, stabilization, and resourcing before deeper trauma processing.
12) Can EMDR help with childhood trauma and attachment wounds?
Yes. EMDR for childhood trauma can target early memories that shaped self worth, safety, trust, and relationship patterns.
13) Can EMDR help with narcissistic abuse or emotional abuse?
Yes. EMDR can help process traumatic memories from gaslighting, emotional manipulation, chronic criticism, and relational trauma, including the triggers and beliefs that remain after narcissistic abuse.
14) Is EMDR the same as somatic therapy?
They are different but highly complementary. EMDR targets memory processing with bilateral stimulation. Somatic therapy focuses on body sensations and nervous system regulation. Many people benefit from integrating both approaches.
15) What’s the difference between EMDR and talk therapy?
Talk therapy helps with insight, meaning, and patterns. EMDR often helps when your body still reacts even after you understand the “why.” Many clients do both: talk therapy for integration and EMDR for trauma processing.
16) How many sessions of EMDR will I need?
It depends on your goals, history, and current stress level. Single-incident trauma may be shorter. Complex trauma often takes longer and includes more stabilization.
17) How long is an EMDR session?
Many EMDR therapists offer 50-minute sessions and sometimes longer sessions for deeper processing. What’s best depends on pacing and capacity.
18) Is EMDR therapy safe?
EMDR is generally safe when done by a trained trauma therapist who uses stabilization skills and careful pacing. If you dissociate easily or feel overwhelmed, your therapist should adjust the approach.
19) Can EMDR make symptoms feel worse at first?
Some people feel temporarily more emotional, tired, or vivid in dreams as the brain processes material. A good EMDR process includes grounding, closure, and a plan to support you between sessions.
20) What if I dissociate or shut down during EMDR?
That is common with trauma. Your therapist can use modified EMDR strategies, more resourcing, and somatic regulation to keep the work within your “window of tolerance.”
21) Do I have to do eye movements for EMDR to work?
No. Many people use alternating taps or tones instead. The goal is effective bilateral stimulation that feels tolerable for you.
22) Can I do EMDR therapy online in California?
Yes. Online EMDR therapy (telehealth EMDR) is available in many cases, and many clients do EMDR successfully through secure video sessions across California.
23) Is online EMDR as effective as in-person EMDR?
Many people do very well with telehealth EMDR. The best format depends on your nervous system, privacy, and comfort. Both can be effective with good preparation and pacing.
24) What should I do after an EMDR session?
Plan for gentleness. Hydrate, eat, rest, take a walk, and avoid over-scheduling if you can. Journaling and grounding skills can help if emotions come up.
25) How do I know if I’m ready for EMDR?
You may be ready if you can use grounding skills, can return to the present after being activated, and have enough stability in your life to tolerate some emotional processing. If not, readiness can be built.
26) Can teens do EMDR therapy?
Yes. EMDR can be adapted for teen therapy and can help with trauma, anxiety, bullying, grief, family stress, and other distressing experiences.
27) Can EMDR help with relationship triggers and attachment anxiety?
Yes. EMDR can reduce emotional flashbacks and trauma triggers that show up as fear of abandonment, people pleasing, jealousy, shutdown, or conflict avoidance in relationships.
28) How do I find an EMDR therapist in San Francisco?
Look for a therapist who is trained in EMDR, trauma informed, and experienced with the concerns you want help with (PTSD, CPTSD, childhood trauma, narcissistic abuse recovery, anxiety). Fit and pacing matter as much as the technique.
