EMDR Therapy
Some memories stay stuck. EMDR helps them finally settle.
Maybe you know a memory is in the past, but your body reacts as if it’s happening now: a jolt of fear, a wave of shame, a reaction much bigger than the moment.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories. Using bilateral stimulation, like guided eye movements or alternating taps, it helps those memories lose their emotional charge and take their place in the past.
It’s one of the most researched treatments for trauma, recommended by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and it doesn’t require you to talk through every detail.
Telehealth for NY, FL, MI residents
“Why does it still feel so fresh?”
Because some memories were never fully processed. They were stored in survival mode.
EMDR may help if you notice:
Memories that still bring a rush of fear, shame, or anger
Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive images
Strong reactions to reminders that seem out of proportion
Beliefs like “I’m not safe” or “It was my fault”
Talking about it hasn’t made it feel any different
Avoiding people, places, or thoughts linked to the past
The memory isn’t the problem. How it was stored is.
HOW EMDR WORKS
Helping the brain finish what it started.
During an overwhelming experience, the brain can store the memory in a raw, fragmented form, with the images, sensations, and beliefs from that moment still attached. That’s why reminders can bring it all back as if it’s happening now.
In EMDR, you briefly hold the memory in mind while following bilateral stimulation. This appears to help the brain process the memory the way it processes ordinary experiences, so it becomes something that happened, rather than something that keeps happening.
You don’t forget. You just stop reliving it.
Telehealth for NY, FL, MI residents
WHAT EMDR CAN HELP WITH
Not only for single traumatic events.
EMDR was first developed for PTSD, and it’s now used for many experiences where the past keeps shaping the present, including complex trauma, anxiety and panic, and grief.
WHAT THE PROCESS LOOKS LIKE
Prepared first. Processed at your pace. Integrated for good.
EMDR follows a structured, eight-phase protocol. In practice, it unfolds in three broad stages, and we never move into processing until you have the tools to stay grounded.
PHASE 1
Getting Ready
We take a full history, choose what to work on, and build calming and grounding skills so you feel resourced before we begin.
PHASE 2
Reprocessing
You focus on a memory while following bilateral stimulation in short sets, noticing whatever comes up, while I guide and track you throughout.
PHASE 3
Integration
We strengthen healthier beliefs about yourself, check for any remaining distress, and make sure each session ends with you feeling settled.
Often combined with: Somatic Therapy · Internal Family Systems (IFS) · Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
New to therapy, or not sure which approach fits? Explore my holistic approach →
AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH
Whole-person care, every step of the way.
One method may guide our work, but it’s never the only one. Your past lives in your mind, body, and relationships. I combine evidence-based and mind-body approaches to help you work through the past and move forward with more support, clarity and confidence.
WHAT A SESSION FEELS LIKE
You stay in control the whole time.
EMDR works well through secure telehealth, using guided eye movements on screen or tapping you do yourself. You stay fully aware and present, you decide what we work on, and you can pause at any time. Some sessions feel intense; others feel surprisingly calm.
One foot in the present, always.
WHAT CHANGES AS THE WORK UNFOLDS
What happened becomes part of your past.
Memories that no longer bring the same rush of distress
Fewer flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts
Calmer reactions to reminders
Healthier beliefs, like “I’m safe now” or “I did the best I could”
Freedom to go places and do things you’d avoided
Feeling more present in your life
Telehealth for NY, FL, MI residents
MEET YOUR THERAPIST
Lisa Kent, LCSW
CCTP-II · EMDR-C
I use EMDR within a broader, trauma-informed approach. We take time to build stability and grounding skills before reprocessing, so the work feels manageable, and I bring in somatic and parts-based tools when needed so EMDR fits you rather than the other way around.
QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
EMDR therapy FAQs
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No. One of the strengths of EMDR is that you don’t need to describe the memory at length. You hold it in mind, notice what comes up, and share as much or as little as you want.
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Yes. Studies and clinical experience suggest EMDR can be effective through telehealth. Bilateral stimulation can be done with eye movements that follow a target on screen or with self-tapping, and we build in extra grounding so you feel supported at home.
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It depends. A single-incident trauma may need relatively few processing sessions, while complex or long-standing trauma takes longer, with more time spent on preparation. We’ll review your progress together as we go.
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No. You’re awake, aware, and in control throughout. Nothing happens that you don’t agree to, and you can stop at any time.
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Some people feel tired or more emotional after a session, and memories or dreams may surface between sessions. That’s usually a sign that processing is continuing. Careful preparation and pacing within your window of tolerance help keep the work manageable.
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EMDR helps many people, but it isn’t the right fit for everyone or every moment. During the free consultation and early sessions, we’ll talk about your history and goals and decide together whether and when EMDR makes sense.
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It’s a free, no-pressure 15-minute video call. We’ll talk briefly about what’s bringing you to therapy and what you’re hoping for, I’ll answer your questions about how I work, fees, and out-of-network reimbursement, and together we’ll decide whether we’re a good fit. You don’t need to prepare anything, and there’s no obligation to book.
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Sessions are $200 per hour of work together. I am in-network with BCBS and BCN plans for Michigan residents. For New York and Florida residents, I partner with Mentaya to help you use your out-of-network benefits. Depending on your plan, up to 80% of your session cost can be reimbursed, and all of your claims are handled for you. You can check your benefits here (opens in a new window), or we can review them together during your free consultation.
HEALING THROUGH RECONNECTION
The past can finally stay in the past.
Healing reaches every part of you: your mind, your body, your relationships, and your sense of meaning. You deserve care that sees all of it.
Telehealth for NY, FL, MI residents
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Essays on trauma, memory, and the nervous system.
