What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy developed to help individuals process and integrate distressing or traumatic experiences that continue to affect emotional regulation, behavior, and
daily functioning.
EMDR is recognized as an effective trauma treatment by leading professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association and the EMDR International Association.
How EMDR Works
Traumatic or overwhelming experiences can become “stuck” in the nervous system, especially when they occur during childhood or periods of vulnerability. These unprocessed memories may continue to influence emotions, beliefs, and physical responses long after the event has passed.
EMDR helps the brain:
• Reprocess distressing memories
• Reduce emotional intensity
• Integrate past experiences into present-day awareness
• Restore adaptive functioning. Importantly, EMDR does not erase memories.
Instead, it helps reduce their emotional charge so they no longer feel intrusive or overwhelming.
EMDR Is a Phased Treatment
EMDR is not used as a first-step intervention.
For many children, adolescents, and adults, preparatory work is essential before trauma processing begins. EMDR involves eight structured phases, including:
1. History-taking and treatment planning
2. Preparation and stabilization
3. Assessment of target memories
4. Desensitization
5. Installation of adaptive beliefs
6. Body scan
7. Closure
8. Reevaluation
When EMDR Is Appropriate
EMDR may be appropriate when a client demonstrates for:
• Single-incident trauma
• Medical or accident trauma
• Anxiety related to specific events
• Loss, sudden change, grief
• Trauma symptoms with adequate developmental readiness
When EMDR Is Not Used Immediately
EMDR may be deferred when a child, adolescent, or adult:
• Becomes emotionally flooded or dissociative
• Lacks basic regulation skills
• Has significant attachment disruption
• Is still developing symbolic or emotional capacity
In these cases, developmentally appropriate therapies (such as sandplay or psychodynamic therapy) are used first to build readiness. This is not avoidance— it is ethical, evidence-based sequencing.
EMDR for Children and Adolescents
Children process experiences differently from adults. Early stress or trauma can affect emotional development, nervous system regulation, and sense of safety. For this reason:
EMDR with children is adapted developmentally
• Play-based or non-verbal therapies are often used first
• Trauma processing begins only when the child is ready
This phased approach reduces the risk of overwhelm and improves long-term outcomes.
EMDR therapy is implemented within a phased, evidence-based treatment framework.
For complex trauma and dissociative disorders, EMDR is introduced only after sufficient stabilization, emotional regulation, and readiness have been established.
Treatment is individualized and integrated with other therapeutic approaches when clinically indicated.
EMDR for Adults
For adults with sufficient stability, EMDR can be an effective approach for addressing:
• Trauma symptoms
• Anxiety related to past experiences
• Persistent negative beliefs
• Somatic stress responses
As with all trauma treatment, pacing and preparation remain essential.
Why EMDR Is Integrated With Other Therapies At Roseville Psychotherapy & EMDR
EMDR is not used in isolation. It is integrated thoughtfully with:
• Psychodynamic therapy
• Developmentally informed treatment
• Attachment-focused approaches
• Polyvagal theory provides a neurobiological framework for understanding regulation, trauma responses, and why sequencing (stabilization before processing) matters.
• Sandplay therapy
This integrative approach supports lasting change, not just symptom reduction. A Thoughtful, Ethical Approach to Trauma Treatment.
There is no single or “fast” cure for developmental stress or trauma. Effective treatment follows a medically sound sequence:
1. Safety and stabilization
2. Emotional regulation
3. Trauma processing
4. Integration and growth Using EMDR at the right time—rather than too early—is essential to protecting clients and achieving durable results.
If you are seeking EMDR therapy in Roseville, Rocklin, Auburn, Placerville or adjunct areas or would like to understand whether EMDR is appropriate for you, a comprehensive evaluation is the first step. Treatment recommendations are based on:
• Developmental readiness
• Emotional regulation
• Clinical presentation
• Evidence-based standards of care
EMDR therapy is an evidence-based treatment that may be clinically indicated for individuals experiencing:
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (including single-incident trauma and combat-related trauma)
• Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Complex PTSD / CPTSD) (resulting from prolonged, repeated, or developmental trauma)
• Dissociative Disorders, including:
- Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
- Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD) (when used within a phased,stabilization-first treatment model)
Trauma-Related Anxiety Disorders (including panic symptoms and traumalinked anxiety)
• Depressive Disorders with Underlying Trauma or Attachment Injury (when depressive symptoms are trauma-maintained)
• Developmental Trauma and Attachment-Related Trauma (early relational trauma impacting emotional regulation and self-concept)
• Medical Trauma and Injury-Related Trauma (including accidents, surgeries, or invasive medical procedures)
• Trauma-Related Stress and Nervous System Dysregulation (chronic stress, hyperarousal, or trauma-related somatic responses)
• Anxiety disorders, when anxiety is trauma-linked.
• Phobias when phobias have a traumatic or conditioning origin.
• Panic Disorder/Panic Attacks when panic symptoms are maintained by traumatic memories.
Grief when grief is traumatic or complicated (e.g. sudden, violent, or shocking loss) or when grief symptoms meet criteria for PTSD or prolonged/complicated grief and trauma-maintained. PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)
• Sexual assault
• Sexual dysfunction (when sexual dysfunction is trauma-related (e.g., sexual trauma, medical trauma, shame-based experiences)
• Natural Disasters
• Veterans of war trauma
• Victims of Crime
Somatic symptoms & EMDR may be clinically indicated when:
• Somatic symptoms are trauma-linked.
• Symptoms are maintained by unprocessed traumatic stress.
• There is evidence of PTSD, developmental trauma, or adverse life events contributing to bodily symptoms. In these cases, EMDR targets the traumatic memory networks, not the somatic disorder itself.
To schedule an individual appointment or to obtain additional information about any of these counseling services, please call me at (916) 225-6311 or send an email to [email protected]. I offer an initial 20-minute phone
consultation. Please call me at (916) 225-6311 and include your name and personal phone number where you can be reached or where I can leave a message if you are not available. Please call today to start moving toward a brighter tomorrow.