Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach designed to help people process distressing experiences that continue to affect how they feel, think, relate, and respond in the present.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not rely primarily on talking through an experience in detail. It uses a structured, eight-phase approach to help the brain and nervous system process experiences that may feel “stuck,” allowing them to become less emotionally distressing and less influential in your day-to-day life.

Extended EMDR Therapy isn’t simply a longer therapy session. It provides dedicated time for a different kind of therapeutic work.

Because EMDR follows a structured process, extended sessions allow us more time to thoughtfully prepare, engage in reprocessing, and close the session without feeling rushed. The longer format supports the EMDR process, not simply more conversation.

Extended EMDR Therapy may be a good fit if you feel stuck in patterns you understand intellectually but have struggled to change; have specific experiences, memories, fears, or beliefs that continue to cause distress; want to explore an evidence-based approach that works beyond insight alone; or would benefit from dedicated time to engage in focused EMDR work.

You do not need to have experienced one specific type of trauma or have a PTSD diagnosis to explore whether EMDR may be appropriate for you. I believe anyone could benefit from EMDR! Together, we’ll assess your goals, history, current needs, and readiness to determine whether Extended EMDR Therapy is a good fit.

Extended EMDR Therapy is not a quick fix or a way to erase a difficult experience in one session. Meaningful EMDR work requires thoughtful assessment, preparation, collaboration, and attention to your individual needs and nervous system.

It may not be the right fit if you are looking to skip preparation, bypass the therapeutic relationship, or expect one session to completely resolve a complex concern. If EMDR is not the most appropriate approach for you right now, we can discuss other options or what additional support and preparation may be helpful.