Extended EMDR Therapy
A thoughtful, evidence-based approach to helping your brain and nervous system heal from experiences that continue to feel "stuck."
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy designed to help the brain process experiences that continue to create distress in the present.
While EMDR is widely known for treating trauma, it can also be incredibly effective for anxiety, panic, OCD, phobias, negative core beliefs, performance anxiety, grief, and many other experiences that feel difficult to move through despite insight and traditional talk therapy.
EMDR doesn't erase memories or make you forget what happened. Instead, it helps your brain process those experiences so they no longer carry the same emotional intensity or keep you feeling stuck.
Why Extended EMDR?
There is a time and place for talk therapy, and there is a time and place for EMDR. Different therapeutic approaches serve different purposes. My role is to thoughtfully determine what will be most helpful for the unique person sitting in front of me.
Extended EMDR Therapy isn't simply a longer therapy session.
The additional time allows us to move through the EMDR process without feeling rushed, creating space for thoughtful preparation, meaningful reprocessing, and careful integration. Rather than stopping just as your nervous system begins to engage in the work, we have the time to move through each phase with intention.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Will I have to talk about every detail of what happened?
Nope. One of the misconceptions about EMDR is that you have to repeatedly tell your story in detail. While we'll spend time understanding your experience, EMDR focuses on helping your brain process the memory rather than retelling it over and over.
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Is EMDR only for trauma?
Nope. While EMDR is well known for trauma treatment, research supports its effectiveness for many concerns including anxiety, panic, OCD, phobias, grief, negative beliefs, and performance anxiety.
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Can we start EMDR during my first appointment?
Usually not. Preparation is an essential part of the process. Before beginning reprocessing, we'll make sure you have the resources, understanding, and support needed for the work to be both effective and safe.
Who This is For:
Extended EMDR Therapy may be a good fit if you:
Feel stuck despite gaining insight through talk therapy.
Continue to react strongly to experiences you logically know are in the past.
Notice recurring patterns in relationships or self-beliefs that you can't seem to change.
Experience anxiety, panic, trauma symptoms, OCD, or distress connected to specific memories.
Want a focused, structured approach to healing.
Are looking for meaningful change rather than simply managing symptoms.
Who This is NOT For:
Extended EMDR Therapy may not be the best fit if you're looking for:
A quick fix.
One session to "erase" trauma.
To skip the processing phase.
To bypass the therapeutic relationship or foundational work.
EMDR is powerful because it's thoughtful. The preparation, relationship, and pacing matter just as much as the reprocessing itself.
Explore the Process
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PHASE ONE
90-Minute Assessment & Preparation
We'll spend time getting to know your story, identifying treatment goals, determining whether EMDR is the right fit, and building the resources your nervous system needs before beginning reprocessing.
This phase includes:
Assessment & intake
Treatment planning
EMDR Phases 1 & 2
Resourcing
Nervous system preparation
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PHASE TWO
90-Minute Extended EMDR Therapy
Once you're ready, we'll begin reprocessing using the EMDR protocol while moving at a pace that feels thoughtful and manageable.
Depending on the session, this may include:
Phase 3
Reprocessing
Installation (when appropriate)
Body Scan
Closure
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PHASE THREE
(If Needed)
Depending on where you are in the process, we'll either continue with another 90-minute Extended EMDR Therapy session or return to a traditional 55-minute session focused on integration and ongoing therapy.
Every treatment plan is individualized.
Ready when you are!
You don't have to know exactly what you need before reaching out.
If you're curious whether Extended EMDR Therapy might be a good fit for you, I'd be happy to talk through your questions during a free consultation.