What Is EMDR Therapy? | Trauma Therapist in Missouri
Helping you understand what EMDR therapy is — and how it can help you heal from trauma, anxiety, and self-doubt.
As a licensed trauma and relationship therapist in Missouri, I specialize in helping clients across Springfield, Kansas City, St. Louis, and throughout the state of Missouri heal from painful experiences using EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
If you’ve heard of EMDR before but aren’t quite sure what it means or how it works, this post will walk you through the basics — including who it helps, what happens during sessions, and what to expect from the process.
Common Questions About EMDR Therapy
“Isn’t EMDR therapy just for people who’ve experienced severe trauma?”
Not at all. While EMDR is well-known as a trauma therapy, it’s also effective for anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and confidence. It helps people reprocess painful or limiting beliefs so they can move forward with more peace and self-trust.
“Are you hypnotizing me?”
Nope — EMDR is not hypnosis. You are fully awake, aware, and in control during every session.
“Are you going to shock me?”
No shocking here! EMDR uses gentle bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or audio tones) to help the brain reprocess distressing memories. I typically use hand-held tappers that lightly vibrate — many clients find them soothing and grounding.
“Will I forget my memories?”
No — EMDR doesn’t erase memories. Instead, it helps your body and brain respond differently to them.
You may still remember what happened, but it no longer feels as painful, threatening, or shameful. For example, a thought that once felt like “I’m not good enough” can shift toward “I am worthy and capable.”
Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?
Short answer: Almost everyone.
Originally developed for trauma, EMDR has been shown to help with:
Anxiety and panic
Depression
Low self-esteem
Confidence and performance issues
Attachment wounds
Grief and loss
The goal of EMDR therapy is to help you reprocess difficult experiences so you can move from old, harmful beliefs to new, adaptive ones — such as:
“I am enough.”
“I am safe now.”
“I am in control.”
“I can trust myself.”
“I am worthy of love.”
If these shifts feel powerful just reading them — imagine what it’s like to embody them.
How EMDR Therapy Works
EMDR therapy uses a structured, evidence-based process that allows your brain to reprocess experiences and emotions that were once stuck or overwhelming.
It’s not about talking through every detail of the past — it’s about helping your nervous system release what’s been holding you back.
As your EMDR therapist, I’ll guide you step-by-step in a safe, supportive environment. Together, we’ll work toward creating new emotional patterns that bring calm, confidence, and connection.
“For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.”
EMDR Therapy Across Missouri
I offer online EMDR therapy for clients across Missouri, including Bolivar, Springfield, Kansas City, St. Louis, and surrounding areas. Through secure telehealth sessions, you can access specialized trauma therapy from the comfort and privacy of your own space.
You don’t have to go through this alone — healing is possible, and EMDR is one of the most powerful ways to start.
Ready to Learn More or Begin EMDR Therapy?
Learn more about my approach to trauma and relationship therapy in Missouri or visit my Trauma Counseling page to explore whether EMDR might be right for you.
If you’d like to talk it through, schedule a FREE 15 minute phone consultation. — I’d be happy to answer your questions.
“This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, they may not be processed without help.”
If you want to learn more about EMDR you can also gain additional information through: https://www.emdria.org or https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
