EMDR Therapy
Therapy for trauma in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Find Relief From Experiences That Still Affect You
Some experiences stay with us long after they have passed. You may understand that something is over and still find yourself reacting as though it is happening again. You might feel anxious, on edge, disconnected, or caught in patterns that are difficult to change, even when you know where they began.
At A Better Life Therapy, our EMDR-trained clinicians help clients work through distressing experiences, reduce the emotional impact of difficult memories, and develop a greater sense of safety and control in the present.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy used to help people process distressing memories and experiences. It can be particularly helpful when past experiences continue to affect how you feel about yourself, relate to others, or respond to stress.
You do not have to navigate these experiences alone. With the support of a qualified therapist, it is possible to begin processing what happened and make room for new ways of experiencing yourself and your life.
Interested in EMDR therapy? Contact A Better Life Therapy to explore your options and find a clinician whose training and approach fit your needs. To contact us call 276-838-0066, email info@abetterlifetherapy.com, or book online 24/7.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro, EMDR is a psychotherapy approach that helps people process distressing memories and experiences that continue to cause emotional difficulty.
During EMDR, your therapist helps you focus on aspects of a difficult memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, which may involve guided eye movements, alternating sounds, or alternating tactile sensations. This process is used within a structured treatment approach to help you reprocess the memory and reduce the distress associated with it.
EMDR does not erase memories or change what happened. Instead, treatment aims to help you relate to those experiences differently, so they have less power over your present-day emotions, beliefs, and reactions.
EMDR is commonly used in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and may also be considered for other concerns when clinically appropriate.
We offer EMDR at the following offices:
What Can EMDR Help With?
People seek EMDR for different reasons. You might be working through a single distressing event, a series of difficult experiences, or longstanding patterns shaped by earlier relationships and circumstances.
Depending on your needs and your therapist's assessment, EMDR may help address:
Traumatic experiences. Work through the lingering effects of accidents, assaults, medical experiences, or other distressing events.
Childhood experiences. Process painful experiences from earlier life that continue to affect your sense of safety, worth, or relationships.
Anxiety and fear. Address distressing memories and experiences that may contribute to persistent anxiety or heightened reactions.
Negative beliefs about yourself. Explore beliefs such as "I'm not safe," "I'm not good enough," or "Everything is my fault" when they are connected to past experiences.
Grief and loss. Work through particularly distressing aspects of a loss when EMDR is an appropriate part of treatment.
Relationship patterns. Explore past experiences that may influence how you respond to conflict, closeness, rejection, or vulnerability.
Distressing memories that feel unresolved. Reduce the emotional intensity of experiences that continue to intrude on your everyday life.
EMDR is not the right approach for every concern or every person. Your therapist will help determine whether it fits your goals, circumstances, and current needs.
What Happens During EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is more than eye movements. It follows a structured treatment process that includes preparation, assessment, memory processing, and evaluation of progress.
Getting to Know You and Your Goals
Your therapist will begin by learning about your concerns, personal history, current circumstances, and what you hope to change. Together, you'll consider whether EMDR is appropriate and identify the experiences or patterns you want to address.
Building Skills and Feeling Prepared
Before processing difficult memories, your therapist will help you develop ways to manage distress and return to a sense of stability. This preparation is an important part of treatment, particularly if you have experienced significant trauma or feel overwhelmed by strong emotions.
Processing Difficult Experiences
When you're ready, your therapist will guide you through the EMDR process. You will focus on aspects of a target memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation and noticing what comes up. Your therapist will help you move through the process at a pace that is appropriate for you.
Integrating Change
As treatment progresses, you and your therapist will assess changes in the distress associated with the memory, related beliefs, and how you feel in the present. Treatment may involve several memories or experiences, and the pace varies from person to person.
Do I Have to Talk About Everything That Happened?
No. You will need to share enough information for your therapist to understand your concerns and plan treatment, but EMDR does not always require a detailed verbal retelling of every aspect of a distressing experience.
You remain an active participant in the process, and your therapist will work with you to establish a pace that feels manageable. You can ask questions, express concerns, and discuss what helps you feel safe throughout treatment.
Is EMDR Therapy Right for Me?
EMDR may be worth exploring if past experiences continue to affect your emotions, beliefs, relationships, or daily functioning. It can also be helpful if you feel that understanding an experience intellectually has not been enough to change the way it affects you.
You do not need to know exactly which memories you want to work on before reaching out. An initial conversation can help you and your therapist explore your goals and determine whether EMDR is a good fit.
EMDR Therapy at A Better Life Therapy
At A Better Life Therapy, we recognize that experiences affect people in different ways. Our therapists take the time to understand your history, strengths, current challenges, and goals before recommending an approach.
EMDR may be used as a focused treatment or integrated with other therapeutic approaches when clinically appropriate. Your treatment plan will reflect your needs rather than follow a one-size-fits-all formula.
We have offices in Center City Philadelphia, Fishtown, Ardmore, New Hope, Easton, and Galloway, New Jersey. EMDR availability and clinician qualifications vary by location, so our team can help you identify an appropriate provider. Telehealth may also be available depending on clinician training, licensure, and your location.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR
How long does EMDR therapy take?
The length of treatment varies depending on your history, goals, current circumstances, and the experiences you want to address. Some people work on a specific event, while others need a longer course of treatment.
Is EMDR only for PTSD?
No. EMDR is established as a treatment for PTSD and may be used for other concerns when clinically appropriate. Your therapist can help determine whether it is a good fit for the difficulties you're experiencing.
Is EMDR therapy overwhelming?
Processing difficult memories can bring up emotions, so preparation and pacing matter. Your therapist will help you build coping skills, monitor your distress, and decide together when you are ready to begin memory processing.
Does EMDR work virtually?
EMDR may be provided through telehealth by appropriately trained clinicians when it is clinically suitable and permitted by applicable licensure and practice requirements. Your therapist can discuss whether virtual treatment is appropriate for you.
How do I find an EMDR therapist?
Look for a clinician with appropriate EMDR training and experience treating the concerns you want to address. A Better Life Therapy can help you explore provider options based on your needs, location, and the clinician's qualifications.
Take the Next Step
You cannot change what happened, but you can work toward changing how those experiences affect your life today.
Contact A Better Life Therapy to learn more about EMDR therapy and explore whether it may be a helpful part of your treatment.