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EMDR Therapy

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When the past still feels present

Sometimes difficult experiences do not stay in the past. They can show up as anxiety, panic, trouble sleeping, or feeling stuck in the same patterns. EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a therapy that helps the brain process difficult experiences so they feel less overwhelming and easier to manage.

EMDR does more than simply talk about what happened. It uses gentle bilateral stimulation, such as alternating taps or vibrations, to help the brain reprocess how memories are stored. This process reduces or eliminates the emotional intensity connected to the memory, allowing the individual to remain grounded in the present rather than reliving the past. Over time, the memory begins to feel like something that happened in the past, instead of something that is still immediate and distressing.

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How EMDR Can Help

EMDR can be helpful for teens, college students, and young adults who feel like certain experiences or traumas are still affecting how they think, feel, or react, even though they happened in the past. It helps people process memories, reduce emotional intensity, and feel more in control of their thoughts and emotions.

EMDR can help with:

  • -Trauma and PTSD

  • -Anxiety and panic

  • -Depression

  • -Grief and loss

  • -Memories that feel stuck

  • -Negative core beliefs or shame

  • -Difficult life events or transitions

  • -Relationship challenges (i.e. trust, abandonment, attachment, etc)

  • -Performance issues (i.e. texting, public speaking, athletic/work performance, etc

  • -Chronic Pain/Somatic symptoms

Our Approach at PPFC

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At Pikes Peak Family Counseling, we take a thoughtful and structured approach to EMDR. We begin by helping clients build up their resources by learning coping skills and ways to feel calm and grounded before working on difficult memories.

When clients are ready, we move at a pace that feels comfortable and manageable. Clients are always in control of the process, and we make sure they feel prepared and supported each step of the way.

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Getting Started

EMDR begins with a few sessions focused on understanding your experiences, building coping skills, and making sure you feel ready for the process. From there, your therapist will guide you through EMDR step by step. Our team is here to answer questions and help you take the next step when you’re ready.

Learn more