EMDR and Trauma Therapy of Longmont

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-researched form of therapy that helps people heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences. By working with the brain’s natural ability to process and integrate difficult memories, EMDR can reduce the intensity of painful emotions and open the door to new, healthier perspectives. While EMDR is a powerful option, it is just one of many trauma-informed modalities we use in our practice.

Trauma and the Brain

Our brains are naturally designed to heal from difficult memories and experiences. Different parts of the brain work together to keep us safe, learn from what happens, and help us manage our emotions. Sometimes, this natural process works on its own. But when experiences are too overwhelming, our brains may get “stuck,” and extra support is needed to fully process and heal.

Symptoms of Trauma

Depression, sadness, isolation
Difficulty functioning in daily life
Exaggerated startle response, feeling on edge
Anger/Difficulty controlling aggressive impulses
Hyperarousal/hypervigilance
Sense of numbness toward life
Shame, guilt, intense worry
Involvement in high risk behaviors
Chronic illness, headaches, medically unexplained symptoms
Low energy
Negative self talk
Thoughts of ‘I’m a burden’ or ‘I am hopeless/Nothing will work for me’

How Does EMDR Help?

When something overwhelming happens, our brains can hold on to the stress, making us feel stuck or “frozen in time.” EMDR therapy helps your brain process those memories so the pain eases and healing can continue. You’ll still remember what happened, but it won’t feel as overwhelming.

EMDR is a powerful tool that therapists use to help individuals with a variety of symptoms

Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
Chronic illness and medical issues
Depression and bipolar disorders
Grief and loss
PTSD/CPTSD
Sexual assault
Sleep disturbance

EMDR accesses the brain’s natural processes and often heals at a deep level-- beyond words.

What is EMDR Therapy like?

Before starting EMDR, you and your therapist will review your history, create a treatment plan, and make sure EMDR feels like a good fit. During a session, you’ll focus on a specific memory along with the thoughts, feelings, or body sensations connected to it. While you do this, the therapist will guide you through sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps. After each set, you’ll simply notice what comes up—this may include new thoughts, feelings, or shifts in perspective. You’re always in control and can pause at any time. The process continues until the memory feels less upsetting, and then you’ll work on strengthening a positive belief about yourself. Each session ends with grounding so you leave feeling settled, and in the next session you’ll review progress and continue as needed.