EMDR therapy in Gainesville, FL
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, in person or by telehealth.
What EMDR is
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a distinct, comprehensive, integrative psychotherapy approach that is compatible with all major therapy orientations. It is a well-established treatment for trauma resolution that helps the brain finish processing memories that got stuck.
Instead of retelling a painful story in detail, you focus briefly on the memory while following guided eye movements or taps. Over a series of sessions the memory loses its charge, and what was overwhelming becomes something you can think about without being pulled under.
EMDR defines negative self-beliefs such as “I’m worthless,” “I don’t belong,” and “I’m powerless” as the faulty self-perceptions that skew how we experience life and trigger symptoms. The goal of EMDR is to give you the freedom to choose who you are, rather than being defined by what happened.
Why EMDR
We use EMDR to resolve both single and complex trauma, depressive patterns, lingering anxiety, chronic grief, and negative self-beliefs. It works alongside talk therapy, not instead of it, and can be a real advantage on your mental health journey.
What a session is like
- History and preparation. A full bio-psycho-social-trauma history, education about the risks and benefits of EMDR, and grounding techniques you will use throughout. Nothing is processed until you are ready.
- Reprocessing. Short sets of guided eye movements (bilateral processing) while you hold the memory lightly in mind, with somatic processing and the identification of adaptive, positive beliefs and resources. You stay in control the whole time.
- Closure and integration. Every session ends settled. Continued sessions reinforce the new positive beliefs and build templates for the future. Let’s form new patterns together.
Read more: What EMDR therapy is actually like.
Questions people ask
Do I have to talk about what happened?
Not in detail. EMDR works with the memory as you hold it, not with a full retelling. You share as much or as little as you choose.
How many sessions does it take?
It depends on what we are working on. A single event may resolve in a handful of sessions. Complex or repeated trauma takes longer, and we pace it with you.
Does it work over telehealth?
Yes. We use on-screen guidance for the eye movements, and the preparation and closure steps are the same as in the office.
How long is an EMDR session?
Sixty minutes. Your first visit, which covers your history and preparation, is 90 minutes.
Related services
Ready to talk, or still deciding?
Call or email the front desk. A real person replies, answers your questions, and helps you find the right therapist. A free 15-minute phone consult is available on request.