EMDR Therapy in Denver

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based and extensively researched therapy that helps people heal from distressing experiences or trauma. It involves focusing on a specific memory while the therapist guides your eye movements, often by having you follow their fingers, dots, or lights. Watch a video about how EMDR works here. 

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This process helps your brain process the memory in a new way, reducing its emotional charge and allowing you to move forward with less distress. 

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​Research shows that about 77% to 90% of clients experience significant relief from distressing symptoms after undergoing EMDR therapy (Lee & Cuijpers, 2013).

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Per state law, we are only allowed to see Colorado residents for this treatment. Sessions are typically 1-3 times a week for 60-90 minutes. ​

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Can I do EMDR even if I don't have trauma? 

Yes, you can! While EMDR is often associated with treating trauma, it can also help with a wide range of challenges, such as anxiety, phobias, self-esteem issues, or even persistent negative beliefs about yourself.

 

EMDR works by helping your brain process and reframe unhelpful patterns or stuck emotions, even if they’re not tied to a specific traumatic event. If there’s something in your life you’d like to work through—like feeling overwhelmed, self-doubt, or recurring stress—EMDR can be a powerful tool for creating lasting change and emotional balance.

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What are the risks of EMDR? 

While EMDR is generally considered safe and effective, it can come with some risks, particularly during the early stages of therapy. Processing distressing memories might temporarily increase emotional discomfort, anxiety, or vivid recollections as your brain works through unresolved feelings. Some clients experience strong physical sensations or intense dreams between sessions. These reactions are typically short-lived and part of the healing process, but they can feel overwhelming without proper support. It’s crucial to work with a trained EMDR therapist who can guide you through these moments and create a safe, supportive environment to manage these challenges.

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How many EMDR sessions will I need? 

Before we begin the bi-lateral stimulation (following the light, tapping etc), we will have at least 3 sessions first where I collect as much information as possible about you and your history. This helps us establish which target memories we will process and in what order. 

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We typically start the first bi-lateral stimulation session (following the light/tapping), with a non-relational memory (like a car accident) to get you used to the process and see how your brain is processing. This is typically over 2-3 sessions. 

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Then we will move on to your earliest memory of a distressing topic/event/pattern (cluster) and subsequently move through time with related target memories, identifying each one and processing it until resolution. Each memory usually comprises 2-5 sessions. Depending on the number of target memories in the cluster, we can estimate the number of sessions you will need to resolve that particular topic/event/pattern. 

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Most of the time, you can expect to have at least 12 bilateral stimulation sessions (plus the getting-to-know-you sessions first). On average, most people have 25 bilateral stimulation sessions to resolve one cluster.

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Want to know more? Read about the benefits of EMDR.