EMDR therapy

EMDR therapy for trauma and PTSD.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — a structured, evidence-based protocol for processing traumatic memories and PTSD. Available over telehealth and in person across Florida.

Call for a free 15-min consult How sessions work

What EMDR actually is

A structured way to process the memories that won't process themselves.

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's an eight-phase protocol developed in the late 1980s, originally for trauma and PTSD, and now widely used for a broader range of stuck experiences — from single-incident traumas to chronic relational wounding.

The core idea: some memories don't get filed away properly. Instead of becoming part of your life story, they stay raw — getting triggered by present-day cues, flooding your nervous system, distorting how you read situations. EMDR helps the brain finish processing those memories, so they become memories of the past instead of a part of the present.

The protocol uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or sounds) alongside structured recall. It is not hypnosis. You are awake, aware, and in control throughout.

What EMDR helps with

When EMDR is the right tool.

PTSD

EMDR is one of the two leading evidence-based treatments for PTSD (alongside trauma-focused CBT). Strong research base, recommended by the WHO and the American Psychiatric Association.

Single-incident events

Car accidents, medical events, assaults, sudden losses. EMDR often resolves these in a relatively small number of sessions compared to talk therapy alone.

Stuck patterns

Phobias, performance anxiety, body image, and the kind of reactivity that traces back to a specific past experience. When you know "where it came from" but you can't shake it.

How EMDR sessions work

The eight-phase protocol, simply explained.

Phases 1–2: History and preparation. Several sessions of building the relationship, taking history, and learning resourcing skills (so you have ways to regulate before we touch the harder material).

Phase 3: Assessment. Identifying the specific memory to target, the negative belief attached to it, the body sensations, and a positive belief you'd like to install in its place.

Phase 4: Desensitization. The bilateral stimulation phase. You hold the memory in mind while your clinician guides bilateral stimulation. Over multiple sets, the emotional charge of the memory diminishes.

Phase 5: Installation. Strengthening the positive belief — the one you couldn't access while the trauma was running the show.

Phase 6: Body scan. Checking that no residual sensations remain.

Phases 7–8: Closure and re-evaluation. Each session closes deliberately. The next session re-evaluates how the previous work has settled.

Common questions

What people ask about EMDR therapy.

Is EMDR scientifically supported?+

Yes. EMDR has a substantial research base, particularly for PTSD. It is recommended as a first-line treatment for PTSD by the World Health Organization, the American Psychiatric Association, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The research base for non-PTSD applications is growing.

Will I have to relive the trauma in detail?+

EMDR doesn't require detailed verbal retelling. You'll bring the memory to mind, but you don't have to narrate it moment by moment. Many clients are surprised by how much less invasive it feels than they expected, compared to talk-only approaches.

How many EMDR sessions will I need?+

It depends on what we're working on. A single-incident trauma in an otherwise stable person can sometimes resolve in 6–12 sessions. Complex trauma (chronic, repeated, developmental) typically requires longer — often a year or more, sometimes integrated with other approaches. We'll give you a clearer estimate after the first few sessions.

Can EMDR be done over telehealth?+

Yes. Online EMDR is well-established and supported by research. Your clinician will guide bilateral stimulation through visual cues, audio tones, or self-administered tapping — whatever works best for you. Most clients find it equally effective.

Is EMDR right for me if I don't have a 'big' trauma?+

Often, yes. The brain processes any experience that overwhelmed your capacity to cope at the time — and that includes experiences that look small from the outside. Bullying, medical procedures as a child, a humiliating moment, a sudden loss. The question isn't how big the event was; it's whether the memory is still active in a way it shouldn't be.

Ready to start EMDR therapy?

A 15-minute call is the easiest first step. We'll listen, answer questions, and lay out next steps. No pressure, no commitment.

Call (305) 396-6009 info@360therapy.care

Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm ET · We aim to respond within 2 business hours · Telehealth & in-person across Florida