Your brain knows how to heal.
Sometimes it just gets stuck.
EMDR is a powerful therapy approach that helps your brain and nervous system process experiences that never fully got filed away. The trauma may be over. The danger may be gone.
But your body is still reacting like it is happening right now.
That can look like anxiety, panic, nightmares, intrusive memories, emotional flooding, chronic self-doubt, hypervigilance, or feeling completely disconnected from yourself.
EMDR helps your nervous system recognize that the danger is over so you can be more present in your actual life.
It can be especially helpful for people who are tired of talking about the same thing over and over but still feel triggered, overwhelmed, or stuck.
What EMDR is (and what it is not)
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Because my practice is fully virtual and disability-informed, EMDR does not require visual tracking. Many clients use forms of bilateral stimulation that involve tapping rather than eye movements.
It is a structured, research-supported therapy originally developed for trauma and now used to treat a wide range of experiences that become “stuck” in the nervous system.
EMDR helps your brain process what happened so the memory becomes something you remember rather than something you keep reliving.
That distinction matters.
The goal is not to erase memories.
The goal is for those memories to stop running your life.
EMDR is not hypnosis.
You are not unconscious.
You are not out of control.
You remain fully aware and fully in charge of yourself throughout the process.
If you would like to learn more about EMDR from the professional organization that oversees EMDR training and certification, visit:
How EMDR helps
Trauma does not just live in thoughts.
It lives in the nervous system.
You can logically know you are safe while your body continues responding as if danger is right around the corner.
That is where EMDR can be so effective.
I often explain it this way:
During EMDR, your brain is doing something similar to what it does during REM sleep. It is processing and re-filing information that never got fully processed the first time.
The difference is that you are awake, present, and actively participating.
Over time, many clients notice:
• Fewer triggers
• Less emotional flooding
• Reduced anxiety and panic symptoms
• More self-trust
• Greater emotional flexibility
• Fewer intrusive memories or nightmares
• Less time spent feeling hijacked by the past
What EMDR sessions are like
We do not jump straight into trauma processing.
One of the biggest misconceptions about EMDR is that we immediately start digging into painful memories.
That is not how I practice.
We start by building resources, stabilization skills, and nervous system regulation.
If you are not adequately prepared, we do not move into deeper processing.
Safety matters.
Preparation matters.
When we do begin processing, I guide you through the process step-by-step.
We move at a pace your nervous system can tolerate.
Not a pace that overwhelms you.
Not a pace that leaves you emotionally wrecked for a week.
Many people are nervous about EMDR because they have heard it is intense.
Parts of it can be emotional.
My job is to help make sure it remains manageable.
We use bilateral stimulation, which is a left-right pattern that supports the brain’s natural processing system.
Because my practice is fully virtual, this usually involves tapping, such as:
• Alternating taps on the knees
• Butterfly hug tapping
• Alternating taps on the collarbone area
• Alternating taps on the temples
Throughout the process, you get to tell me what is working, what is not working, and what you need.
You do not earn bonus points for suffering.
We work collaboratively, with both compassion and accountability.
Who EMDR can help
EMDR can be helpful for a wide range of experiences, including:
• Childhood trauma and neglect
• Gaslighting and narcissistic abuse
• Emotionally abusive or controlling relationships
• Panic attacks and anxiety
• Grief and complicated grief
• Medical trauma
• Identity-based trauma and discrimination stress
• Disturbing life experiences that still feel emotionally “stuck”
• Chronic shame and negative self-beliefs
Many people hear the word trauma and immediately think of a single catastrophic event.
Sometimes trauma looks like that.
Sometimes trauma looks like years of being criticized, controlled, dismissed, manipulated, or taught not to trust yourself.
EMDR can help with both.
Fees + Insurance
My self-pay rate is $150 per session.
I am in-network with BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare, including affiliates such as Oscar, Optum, and Surest.
Next Steps
If you are ready to get started, the fastest way is to schedule a free 15-minute consultation through Headway.
Email:
dr.janice@novatidecounseling.com
Call or Text:
214-394-2091