Trauma Therapy & EMDR
Healing from trauma is possible. Together, we'll help your mind and body process painful experiences so you can feel safer, reconnect with yourself and others, and move toward lasting healing.
Many people seek EMDR therapy because the effects of trauma continue to interfere with their daily life, relationships, or emotional well-being. You may find yourself constantly on edge, disconnected from yourself or others, or wondering why certain memories, emotions, or situations continue to have such a powerful impact. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain process traumatic experiences so they no longer feel as emotionally overwhelming, allowing you to move forward with greater safety, resilience, and connection.
Does any of this sound familiar?
Trauma affects everyone differently. You don't have to experience every symptom—or even identify your experiences as "trauma"—to benefit from therapy.
• Feeling constantly on edge
• Intrusive memories
• Nightmares
• Panic attacks
• Difficulty trusting others
• Emotional numbness
• Hypervigilance
• Feeling unsafe even when you know you're safe
• Shame or self-criticism
• Avoiding reminders of painful experiences
My Approach
Healing from trauma isn't about erasing the past—it's about helping your mind and body process experiences that continue to affect you in the present. I integrate EMDR with attachment-focused, relational, and somatic approaches to help you feel safer, more connected, and more fully engaged in your life. Therapy moves at a pace that feels manageable, with an emphasis on creating safety before processing difficult memories.
Therapy can help you
✔ Feel calmer in your body
✔ Sleep better
✔ Reduce shame and self-criticism
✔ Feel safer in relationships
✔ Process painful memories
✔ Increase confidence
Understanding EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that can help people recover from trauma, PTSD, anxiety, childhood experiences, and other distressing life experiences. Many people seek EMDR when painful memories continue to affect their relationships, emotional well-being, or daily life long after the original experience has passed.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR helps your brain process memories that remain emotionally overwhelming so they no longer feel as though they are happening in the present.
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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain process distressing experiences that have remained "stuck." Rather than repeatedly reliving painful memories, EMDR helps reduce their emotional intensity so they no longer feel as overwhelming. Many people find they can remember what happened without feeling as though they are experiencing it all over again.
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EMDR can be effective for many people experiencing the effects of trauma, PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, childhood experiences, grief, or other distressing life events. During our initial consultation, we'll talk about your history, your goals, and whether EMDR is the right approach for you. If another therapeutic approach would better meet your needs, we'll discuss that together.
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Yes. While EMDR is best known for treating trauma and PTSD, it can also be highly effective for anxiety, panic, low self-esteem, and depression when these symptoms are connected to unresolved life experiences or negative beliefs about oneself. By addressing the underlying experiences that contribute to these symptoms, many people experience lasting emotional relief.
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No. You do not need to remember every detail of a traumatic experience for EMDR to be effective. Many people have incomplete, fragmented, or unclear memories. EMDR works with what you do remember, along with the emotions, physical sensations, and beliefs connected to those experiences. Therapy is never about forcing memories or uncovering details you cannot recall.
EMDR FAQs
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It's natural to wonder whether revisiting painful experiences will be difficult. While EMDR can bring up emotions, you are never expected to move faster than feels right. One of my priorities is helping you feel grounded and supported throughout the process. Together, we'll work within your window of tolerance so therapy feels both safe and effective.
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EMDR begins with building a strong therapeutic foundation. Before processing difficult memories, we'll spend time understanding your experiences, identifying your goals, and developing coping skills so you feel prepared and supported. When you're ready, we'll move through the EMDR process at a pace that feels manageable and safe for you.
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The number of sessions varies depending on your goals, the nature of your experiences, and how long they've been affecting you. Some people notice meaningful improvement within a relatively short period of time, while others benefit from longer-term therapy, particularly when working through complex or developmental trauma. We'll regularly review your progress together and adjust treatment based on your needs.
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Yes. EMDR can be provided effectively through secure telehealth using modified bilateral stimulation techniques. During our consultation, we can discuss whether virtual EMDR is appropriate for your needs and comfort level.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it out alone. If you're looking for an EMDR therapist in Durham, NC, I'd be happy to answer your questions, learn more about what you're experiencing, and explore whether this approach is the right fit for you.