EMDR and Brainspotting

Online in Oregon and Washington

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What do you do when the past still feels present?

Trauma can linger, showing up as anxiety, intrusive memories, or emotional numbness. Even when you know you're safe now, your body and mind might still react as if the danger never left. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Brainspotting are powerful therapies that help your brain and body process distressing experiences so they no longer feel overwhelming in the present.

Maybe you’re noticing:

  • Certain situations, sounds, or smells trigger intense emotional reactions

  • You feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, avoidance, or emotional numbness

  • Your body reacts as if you’re still in danger, even when you know you’re safe

  • Talking about your experiences hasn’t helped as much as you hoped

  • You’re exhausted from carrying the weight of the past

Healing is possible.

How EMDR and Brainspotting Work

Think about the last time something reminded you of a painful experience—maybe a sound, a smell, or even a certain look brought back emotions that felt just as strong as they did in the past. This happens because trauma is stored in a way that keeps it raw and unprocessed.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sound) to activate the brain’s natural ability to process and integrate difficult memories. Instead of reliving the trauma, you reprocess it so it no longer holds the same emotional intensity.

Brainspotting works by using specific eye positions to access and release stored trauma at a deeper, nonverbal level. It taps into the body's natural ability to heal, often without needing to talk through every detail.

Both approaches help your nervous system process what’s been stuck, so you can move forward with less distress and more ease.

What we’ll work on

These therapies can help you:

  • Reduce the emotional intensity of painful memories

  • Break free from distressing patterns and triggers

  • Strengthen your sense of safety and resilience

  • Improve emotional regulation and feel more grounded

  • Develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself

I’m here to help you move forward.

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FAQS

Common questions about EMDR and Brainspotting

  • I am an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist, which means I have completed extensive training beyond the basic EMDR curriculum. This certification requires advanced coursework, supervised clinical experience, and ongoing consultation to ensure a high level of competency. Being EMDRIA certified also means I stay up to date with the latest research and best practices in EMDR therapy.

  • In an EMDR session, we’ll identify a target memory and use bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping) to help your brain process it in a way that feels less distressing. In a Brainspotting session, we’ll find an eye position that connects to where your body holds the trauma and use focused attention to help your system release it. Both approaches allow processing to happen in a way that feels natural and safe.

  • Not necessarily. One of the benefits of these therapies is that they don’t require you to go into every detail of what happened. Many people find relief without needing to share their full story out loud.