What is EMDR?

EMDR is a comprehensive therapy approach, useful for overcoming stressful experiences of all kinds — even deeply embedded traumas, which can be the basis of your depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, phobias, fears, or performance issues. For more info about EMDR, link to this article:  How effective is EMDR therapy?

What does EMDR Mean?

EMDR stands for "Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing."  Much research has now demonstrated that Eye Movements can help our brains to calm distressed memories and negative thoughts that we've been stuck in.

See how it helps with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including the brain scans of what PTSD looks like before and after EMDR therapy.

How does EMDR Therapy work?

Curious brain researchers have theories, but no one has figured it out for sure yet.  The brain scans in the article about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) reveal a lot about what EMDR can do.

What can the EMDR Therapy Approach do for me? 

If stressful, negative experiences hit us when we are vulnerable, and we don't receive the support and safety we need, the emotional and negative beliefs about ourselves can become "stuck" in our brains and whole beings. EMDR is very good at getting us "unstuck."  That is why our animated HOME page logo shows the distress in our brain trapping us as if we are in a small, uncomfortable prison, or chrysalis.  EMDR helps "unlock" the prison, allowing our brain to return to a healthy state. Figuratively speaking, you are then free to move, stretch your wings, and fly.

Why does EMDR Therapy work so well, quickly and comprehensively?

Francine Shapiro, PhD, the developer and original researcher of EMDR, observed that our brain has an "Adaptive Information Processing System."  Stress and trauma can cause the system to get stuck, and no longer work well.

With EMDR calming the distressed memories, health can return naturally and quickly to our brains.  Our old, distressed memories become stored in the healthy way our brains are meant to work.  We can see that the bad experience is truly over, and that we are free to go forward in the present and future with a brain that has recovered its strengths. 

What do EMDR clients say?

They report positive things about themselves.  Many people spontaneously say things like: "I'm fine the way I am" or "It's over and I'm safe now."  Read EMDR testimonials from clients.

Find a therapist for EMDR Therapy

in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento Area, San Diego County, Seattle Area, and Washington State*

Comprehensive Therapy  Approach offers therapists, psychologists and counselors on our Therapist Directory with the confidence that these clinicians have demonstrated their dedication to high quality treatment.  They have sought EMDRIA-Certification as EMDR therapists (through the comprehensive requirements of the EMDR International Association).  It is important for you to call a few therapists and see which one is the best "fit" for you, the one with whom you feel most comfortable.

You can look through our EMDR Therapist Directory or search by location or specialties.

*We are eager to come to your community if it is not yet served by this website of Certified EMDR therapists and Approved Consultants.  Please let us know of your wish and

we will invite the highest qualified local EMDR therapists to join!