About EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a powerful, research-backed approach that helps people heal from trauma, anxiety, and other overwhelming life experiences. In a typical session, you’ll bring to mind distressing memories while following gentle, guided eye movements—an approach that helps the brain process and release what’s been stuck. Over time, the emotional charge of these memories fades, and many people report feeling lighter, calmer, and more in control.
What kinds of issues can EMDR therapy help with?
EMDR is best known for treating trauma and PTSD, but it's also effective for a wide range of concerns — including anxiety, panic attacks, grief, depression, phobias, chronic stress, and even certain types of chronic pain. It can also help with the lingering effects of childhood experiences, difficult relationships, or patterns that feel hard to break.
How is EMDR therapy different from other therapies?
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue, or completing homework between sessions. Rather than having you focus on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, EMDR allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain.
For clients looking to understand trauma more broadly, learn more here.
How long does it take?
For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies. In a controlled study, 80% of civilian trauma victims no longer had PTSD after approximately 6 hours of treatment. In another study, combat veterans reported that after 12 sessions of EMDR, 77% no longer had post-traumatic stress disorder.
Can EMDR be provided online?
Yes! Multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown that EMDR therapy delivered online is comparable in effectiveness to in-person EMDR, particularly for clients experiencing PTSD, anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms. I work virtually with clients throughout Pennsylvania — including those in Philadelphia, the Main Line (like Ardmore, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr), and others from across the state.
Watch a short video about EMDR
EMDR therapy is endorsed as a treatment for PTSD and/or other trauma and stressor disorders by the following organizations:
Other Questions
For answers to general questions (about our rates, cancellation policy, etc) check out the Frequently Asked Questions page.
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1518 Walnut St, Suite 1502, Philadelphia, PA 19102