EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy for women seeking relief from anxiety, trauma, and life transitions in the East Bay Area, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek,Lafayette, & Danville

Sometimes, even when life looks “fine” on the outside, something still feels stuck underneath. You may notice patterns you can’t quite shift, anxiety that doesn’t fully go away, or emotional reactions that feel bigger than the moment.

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EMDR Therapy in Pleasant Hill & Walnut Creek

For women ready to feel more like themselves again

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps you process the experiences that are still living in your body—impacting your emotions, relationships, and how you see yourself.

On the outside, things might look okay.
But underneath, something still feels… off.

Maybe you’re:

  • Overthinking everything

  • Feeling easily overwhelmed

  • Stuck in patterns you can’t seem to shift

  • Hard on yourself in ways you wish you weren’t

EMDR helps your brain and body finally process what’s been sitting there—so you’re not carrying it the same way anymore.

What EMDR Can Help With

EMDR can support you if you’re feeling:

  • Anxious, overwhelmed, or constantly “on”

  • Stuck in old patterns or relationship dynamics

  • Impacted by past experiences (big or small)

  • Disconnected from yourself

  • Burnt out or emotionally exhausted

  • In a life transition or identity shift

I work with women throughout Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, and Danville, providing trauma-informed care that is paced, collaborative, and grounded in emotional safety.

My EMDR Approach

As a certified EMDR Therapist, I move at your pace.

Before we do any deeper processing, we focus on helping you feel grounded, supported, and resourced.

Together We’ll:

  • Get to know your patterns and what’s coming up for you

  • Build tools to help you feel steadier

  • Create a sense of safety in your body

From there, we move into EMDR in a way that feels manageable and supported.

You don’t have to push yourself here.
We do this together.

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How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)** uses gentle, guided eye movements (or other forms of bilateral stimulation) to help your brain reprocess difficult experiences.

We’re not just talking about what happened—
We’re helping your system actually move through it.

Over time, clients often notice:

  • The memory feels less intense

  • Their reactions start to soften

  • The inner narrative begins to shift

From “something’s wrong with me” → to “I’m okay”

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EMDR Therapy: Research Findings and Effectiveness

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Key Research Findings:

  • Effectiveness in Treating PTSD: A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2022 concluded that EMDR significantly reduces PTSD symptoms, with participants showing substantial improvement post-treatment.

    Frontiers

  • Comparative Efficacy: Research published in Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy in 2020 found that EMDR was highly effective in reducing post-traumatic stress, depressive, and anxiety symptoms, with results maintained at a 6-month follow-up.

    Wiley Online Library

  • Broader Applications: A systematic literature review in Frontiers in Psychology in 2017 indicated that EMDR therapy could be beneficial for treating trauma-associated symptoms in patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders, including psychosis, bipolar disorder, and chronic pain.

    PMC

Additional Resources:

  • EMDR International Association (EMDRIA): EMDRIA provides comprehensive information on recent research, treatment guidelines, and ongoing studies related to EMDR therapy.

    EMDR International Association

  • EMDR Institute Research Overview: The EMDR Institute offers an overview of scientific studies and clinical trials that validate and refine EMDR's methodologies.

    EMDR Institute

I offer EMDR therapy in Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, and nearby areas, as well as virtual sessions across California.

If you’re feeling ready—or even just curious—you’re welcome to reach out.

You don’t have to keep holding this on your own.