You don’t have to stay stuck in painful memories from the past
EMDR Therapy in Purcellville, VA
Services available virtual through the state of VA
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a specialized, evidence-based therapy designed to help you process traumatic memories that feel “stuck” in your mind and body. When experiences are not fully processed, they can continue to show up as emotional triggers, anxiety, or distress in daily life.
Through EMDR, I help your brain reprocess these memories so they become less emotionally charged—allowing you to feel more grounded, safe, and in control of your emotional responses.
This approach is especially helpful for trauma, anxiety, panic, and distressing life experiences that still affect you today.
Does This Sound Like You?
EMDR Therapy Can Help If You:
Have memories that still feel painful or overwhelming
Experience strong emotional triggers that feel hard to control
Notice repeated patterns that you can’t seem to break
Feel anxiety, fear, or distress connected to past experiences
Feel like something from your past is still “stuck” in your system
EMDR Therapy in Purcellville, VA can help!
What if you could go from…
Feeling stuck in painful memories
Feeling emotionally free
Strong emotional triggers
Calm and neutrality
Replaying the past
Feeling present and grounded
Emotional overwhelm
Regulation and control
Carrying distress daily
Feeling lighter and more at peace
Step 1.
We’ll start with history taking to understand the goals and changes you wish to see through EMDR Therapy.
Step 2.
Then, we’ll start working on and practicing practical skills to manage anxiety, regulate your nervous system, and feel more grounded and in control to strengthen your emotion regulation muscle.
Step 3.
We’ll begin developing a plan to understand which negative core beliefs and experiences have shaped your current beliefs, body distress, thought patterns, etc.
Step 4.
Finally, we’ll start processing the memories and events that are keeping you “stuck”.
Reprocess Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does EMDR work? The Eights Phases of EMDR.
- History Taking: I’ll ask you about your story, influences, and what you’d like to work on. We’ll always go at a pace that is right for you.
- Preparation/Resourcing: You’ll learn calming tools and grounding techniques to help you feel safe and supported. These are tools you can use in everyday life. This is the start of the “rewiring” of the brain.
- Assessment: We’ll identify a target memory and the thoughts, feelings, images, and body sensations connected to it.
- Desensitization: Using bilateral stimulation (like eye movements, tapping, or handheld buzzers), we begin processing the memory so it feels less distressing.
- Installation: We strengthen a positive belief to replace the old, limiting one tied to the memory, also using bilateral stimulation.
- Body Scan: We check in with your body to notice and release any leftover tension or activation.
- Closure: Each session ends with grounding and care to make sure you leave feeling stable and supported. We’ll check in on any insights you gained during the session.
- Reevaluation: We check in at the next session to make sure the shifts are sticking and continue the work.
2. Who is a good candidate for EMDR Therapy?
It is a common misconception that EMDR is only used to treat people with PTSD or severe trauma. EMDR can also be helpful for those experiencing anxiety, depression, fears, confidence issues, relationship distress, anger, betrayal trauma, grief, mid-life transitions, amongst others.
EMDR may also appeal to:
- Someone who may have been to traditional therapy and didn’t quite get the results or lasting change they were hoping for.
- Someone wanting to use EMDR as an adjunct to their current therapy; in order to break down more deeply embedded barriers.
- Someone who does not have the time to commit to weekly therapy for several months or years.
3. What does EMDR feel like?
Many clients describe EMDR as mentally intense but deeply relieving. You might notice images, emotions, body sensations or other memories pop up as we work. It’s like your brain is getting a software update- and it’s got to sort through some things (reprocess them) and file them back in a more organized/helpful way.
Some clients have said that EMDR has helped them feel that certain memories are less daunting and don’t illicit the normal reaction as it once did. They can think of the memories more rationally and objectively.
After reprocessing sessions, clients often feel tired for the first 24 hours, sometimes a little more agitated. This is where self-care and good rest come in!
4. How many sessions will I need of EMDR?
Every client is different, and it will depend on your goals and other factors such as your caretaker environment in childhood and the complexity of your trauma(s). Some people will report some relief after one session but for others it can take multiple sessions.
Other Resources for EMDR Therapy
EMDR Therapy in Purcellville, VA Can Help You
EMDR helps your brain naturally reprocess distressing experiences so they no longer carry the same emotional intensity. Over time, you can begin to feel less reactive, more stable, and more connected to your present life instead of being pulled back into the past.