EMDR Therapy | Annapolis + Online
The Past Doesn't Have to Define Your Future.
When Your Mind Knows It's Over, But Your Body Still Reacts.
You may have talked about what happened, read the books, listened to the podcasts, or told yourself it was time to move on. Yet certain reminders may still bring up intense emotions or leave you feeling on edge.
Distressing experiences can affect how you respond to reminders, experience emotions, and feel safe in the present.
EMDR therapy can help you process distressing memories so they feel less overwhelming and have less impact on your daily life.
What if your brain already knew how to heal?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic modality that helps your brain process painful memories, so they no longer have the same emotional impact. Instead of simply talking about what happened, EMDR helps your brain naturally reprocess difficult experiences, allowing you to move forward with greater peace, confidence, and freedom.
-
When we experience something overwhelming or traumatic, our brain can sometimes have difficulty fully processing the memory. As a result, reminders of the experience may continue to trigger intense emotions, anxiety, or negative beliefs about ourselves.
EMDR uses guided bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping) to help your brain reprocess these memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity. You won't forget what happened—but it no longer feels like it's happening all over again.
-
Before beginning EMDR, we'll spend time getting to know each other, building coping skills, and making sure you feel safe and prepared.
During EMDR, you'll briefly focus on a memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation. Throughout the process, I'll guide you every step of the way, helping you stay grounded and supported.
-
EMDR may help if you're experiencing:
Intrusive memories or flashbacks
Anxiety or panic
Feeling emotionally "stuck"
Difficulty trusting yourself or others
Low self-esteem or shame
Unhealthy relationship patterns
Hypervigilance or always feeling on edge
Difficulty moving forward after painful experiences
Many people find they begin feeling calmer, more confident, and less controlled by the past.
-
Yes, EMDR is an evidence-based therapy recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD. Research also supports its use for other concerns, including anxiety, depression, OCD and distressing life experiences. EMDR is recommended as a first-line treatment for trauma by the WHO, the VA/DoD and the APA.
-
No. One of the reasons many people choose EMDR is because it doesn't require you to share every detail of your traumatic experiences. We'll only discuss what feels necessary, and you'll never be pressured to talk about anything you're not ready for. My priority is creating a space where you feel safe, supported, and in control throughout the process.
-
EMDR may not be the best starting point for someone experiencing an immediate crisis, significant dissociation, or difficulty managing intense emotions without additional support. In these situations, therapy may begin with building coping skills, emotional regulation, and a sense of stability before trauma processing begins. A therapist can help determine whether EMDR is appropriate for your needs and when the time is right to begin.
At the end of the day, I want you to know:
You are capable of healing—even if it doesn't feel that way today.
Is EMDR right for you?
EMDR is a good fit for you if you…
Have experienced trauma, abuse, or a painful relationship that still affects you today.
Feel like you've talked about what happened but still feel emotionally stuck.
Find yourself constantly anxious, on edge, or reacting in ways you don't fully understand.
Want to move forward without feeling controlled by your past
You struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, or self-blame related to past experiences.
You feel stuck in patterns that you understand logically but still find difficult to change.
What we’ll work on
With EMDR, you can…
Stop carrying the weight of what happened.
Quiet the constant self-doubt and anxiety.
Create a life that's no longer defined by your trauma.
Process painful memories without reliving them.
Develop a more compassionate view of yourself and your experiences.
Build emotional resilience and develop healthier ways of responding to distress.
The 8 phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR follows an eight-phase structured approach:
-
Exploring your experiences, current concerns, and what you hope to work toward in therapy.
-
Learning about EMDR and developing grounding, relaxation, and coping skills to help you feel prepared and supported.
-
Identifying a specific memory to work on, along with the thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations connected to it.
-
Using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, while focusing on the memory to help reduce the distress associated with it.
-
Strengthening a more helpful, positive belief about yourself in connection with the experience.
-
Noticing any lingering physical tension or discomfort connected to the memory and addressing it as needed.
-
Using strategies to help you feel grounded and emotionally settled at the end of each session, whether or not processing is complete.
-
Reviewing your progress and checking how you feel about previously processed memories to help guide the next steps in therapy.
Ready to Explore EMDR Therapy?
You don't have to navigate the effects of painful experiences on your own. Therapy can help you work toward feeling more grounded, connected, and present.