Care with intention
Your past.
A different response.
Structured trauma-focused psychotherapy, with preparation and choice.
The memory can remain, while the response to it changes.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a structured psychotherapy used to treat PTSD. It involves briefly attending to parts of a distressing memory alongside guided back-and-forth stimulation.
In person in Chehalis or by telehealth when appropriate.
Request AppointmentPreparation is part of treatment.
Work begins with history, assessment, coping resources, and discussion of readiness. We consider safety, stability, and whether EMDR fits your needs before memory processing begins.
What happens in a session.
Guided stimulation can include eye movements, sounds, or tapping. During short sets, you may observe images, thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations. We check your responses, return attention to the present, and close the session with care.
You can ask questions or request a pause. Detailed verbal retelling varies with the person and the treatment process.
An organized process.
EMDR follows phases of history, preparation, assessment, processing, installation, body review, closure, and reevaluation. Treatment length varies. Recalling difficult experiences may bring discomfort; readiness and responses are reviewed throughout care.
Learn about EMDR from the VA (opens a new tab)A closer look
Understand the treatment before beginning.
EMDR is one option within trauma-focused care. Choosing it begins with an assessment of your symptoms, history, current circumstances, and treatment priorities. Discuss what you hope to change and any questions about recalling difficult experiences.
Preparation is an active part of the work. I discuss the proposed process, how to communicate discomfort, and what will guide decisions about pace. Readiness may change, and the plan can be revisited as treatment progresses.
The equipment shown here is an illustration. The method of bilateral stimulation, appointment format, visit length, and treatment plan are selected through a clinical discussion. Ask me about my current EMDR training and available appointment formats when arranging care.
Prepare
Discuss the history, readiness, resources, and treatment fit.
Process
Work with selected memories through a structured, clinician-guided approach.
Reevaluate
Review your response and decide what the next stage requires.
Before you begin.
Practical questions about emdr therapy.
Will we start processing memories immediately?
The initial work includes history, treatment fit, and preparation. The decision to begin memory processing depends on the assessment and your readiness. You can ask what a proposed step involves before proceeding.
Do I have to describe every detail aloud?
EMDR generally involves bringing selected aspects of an experience to mind, while the amount of verbal detail varies. Discuss your concerns about disclosure with me so you understand what participation would involve.
What if I become overwhelmed?
Agree on a way to signal discomfort or request a pause before beginning. Your response informs the pace and the next step. Ask how sessions are brought to a close and what support arrangements apply between appointments.
Is EMDR the right choice for every trauma-related concern?
Treatment selection depends on the clinical picture, preferences, readiness, and available options. Assessment may support EMDR, another psychotherapy approach, additional preparation, or a different level of care. A consultation helps clarify that decision.
Let’s find a place to begin.
Tell me what you are looking for help with. We can clarify which kind of appointment fits.
Request Appointment