F.A.Q.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, research-backed therapy that helps people process and heal from trauma, distressing experiences, and negative beliefs. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping) to help the brain reprocess painful memories, reducing their emotional intensity. Over time, EMDR allows you to feel more in control, freeing you from the past so you can move forward with greater clarity and ease. Please see the international EMDRIA website for more information.

EMDR is a highly effective, research-backed therapy designed to help you process and heal from trauma, distressing memories, and negative beliefs—often more efficiently than traditional talk therapy. Unlike other approaches that rely heavily on discussion and insight, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping) to help your brain reprocess painful experiences, reducing their emotional intensity. This allows you to move forward without being weighed down by the past. Many clients find that EMDR helps them achieve breakthroughs when other therapies haven’t worked, making it a powerful option for deep and lasting healing.

An EMDR session often feels different from traditional talk therapy, but it doesn’t start there. The process begins with preparation—sessions focused on history-taking, education, and building tools for emotional regulation and stability. These early sessions are conversational and collaborative, helping you feel grounded and safe before any trauma processing begins. 

Once we move into active EMDR reprocessing, you’ll use bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or sound) to help your brain and body safely reprocess distressing memories. You’ll remain fully present and in control the entire time. Many clients describe moments of emotional release, clarity, or lightness as their brain begins to integrate what once felt overwhelming. 

Each session ends with grounding and integration so you leave feeling stable and supported. While EMDR can feel intense at times, it’s not about reliving trauma—it’s about releasing it.

The short answer: it depends. Every client is unique, with different needs, histories, and goals. Because of this, I don’t make promises about how long healing will take. That said, most clients work with me for six to twelve months, though treatment can range anywhere from three months to three years depending on the depth and complexity of the work. EMDR is not an overnight fix, but when approached with readiness and consistency, it can bring meaningful change faster than traditional talk therapy. What I can promise is that I’ll be a dedicated partner in your process—working intentionally and efficiently to help you find relief and move toward lasting transformation.

Yes, virtual EMDR is just as effective as in-person sessions, allowing clients to achieve the same meaningful results. The core of EMDR is bilateral stimulation, and there are simple ways to achieve this in virtual therapy.

While 1 and 2 hour sessions are only offered virtually, for those who prefer in-person sessions, I offer 3 hour intensives at my office in Portland. Please see my services page for more information.

The clients I work with have experienced a wide range of life challenges. If reflecting on your childhood leaves you wondering, 'Did I experience trauma?'—it's okay not to have a clear answer. Many people don’t identify as having a 'trauma history,' yet still find that EMDR helps them make profound progress by addressing past stressors from both childhood and adulthood. So much of what we struggle with today has deep roots in our past—through EMDR, we heal those roots, creating lasting relief and transformation in the present."

Some clients only begin to identify their experiences as traumatic in adulthood, often due to recent events such as accidents, medical crises, workplace incidents, or relationship betrayals. The good news is that EMDR is highly effective for processing both recent and long-standing trauma. Whether the distressing event happened last month or decades ago, EMDR helps the brain reprocess and integrate the experience in a way that reduces emotional intensity and allows for healing.

I work with adults who are ready to do deep, focused healing work. Many of my clients are high-functioning professionals, caregivers, and helpers—people who have spent years supporting others and are now ready to turn that care inward. I also work with individuals healing from childhood trauma, attachment wounds, and relational patterns that continue to cause distress in their adult lives.

Clients who benefit most from this work are emotionally ready and able to invest both time and resources into their growth. They’re typically motivated, insightful, and seeking more than surface-level change. Whether you’ve been in therapy before or are beginning this process for the first time, we’ll move at a pace that honors your readiness and supports lasting transformation.

While trauma therapy can be profoundly healing, my practice isn’t the right fit for everyone. I do not work with individuals experiencing active addiction, active suicidality, psychosis, or untreated eating disorders. These conditions often require a higher level of care and a more specialized treatment environment to ensure safety and stability. If you’re currently navigating one of these experiences, I encourage you to seek a clinician or program equipped to provide the intensive, ongoing support you deserve.

That’s completely normal! We can talk through your goals to figure out the best approach. Many clients try an intensive session to see if it feels like the right fit. Some clients prefer regular weekly sessions, while others find occasional intensives helpful for addressing specific challenges quickly. I’m flexible and always committed to tailoring the therapy process to fit your unique needs. Schedule a free initial consultation to discuss what path forward may be best for you.

Weekly one-hour sessions offer steady, consistent support over time and are ideal for ongoing work or maintenance. Intensives, on the other hand, are designed for clients who want to make deeper progress in a shorter period. 

In an intensive, we work for several hours in a single day (or across multiple days), allowing you to stay immersed in the healing process without interruption. This extended format gives us the time to move through preparation, reprocessing, and integration more fluidly—often leading to faster, more noticeable change.

Intensives can be especially beneficial for clients with demanding schedules, those traveling from out of state, or anyone who prefers a focused, retreat-style approach to therapy.

Please see my offerings page for more information.

Absolutely! Many clients who feel stuck in certain areas of their therapy find that adding EMDR sessions can help break through barriers. Intensive EMDR sessions are also a great option for those looking to make more rapid progress. I am happy to collaborate with your current therapist to ensure we’re working together in the most effective way for your healing.