EMDR Therapy in Philadelphia
If you feel stuck in patterns you can't think your way out of, EMDR therapy can help. I offer EMDR for adults dealing with trauma, anxiety, addiction, and shame-based patterns that don't shift with insight alone.
EMDR works differently than traditional talk therapy. Instead of only talking about what happened, we work directly with how those experiences are stored in your body and nervous system.
I trained at the EMDR Institute, founded by EMDR's creator Francine Shapiro, and have integrated this approach into my work with addiction, trauma, and shame-based cycles for over 15 years. I see clients in person in Bala Cynwyd, just outside Philadelphia, and by telehealth across Pennsylvania.
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps you heal from the emotional distress caused by painful experiences, from adverse childhood experiences to sexual assault to relationship betrayal.
During EMDR, we use bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or tapping, while you briefly focus on specific memories or experiences. This helps your brain process what was previously overwhelming, reduce its emotional intensity, and shift negative core beliefs, for example from "I'm not safe" to "I'm in control now."
EMDR is recommended for post-traumatic stress by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and many people find relief in fewer sessions than with talk therapy alone.
What a Session Looks Like
EMDR follows a structured, eight-phase approach. We start with your history and goals, then build grounding skills so you feel steady before we touch harder material.
Processing sessions focus on one memory or trigger at a time, and every session ends with tools to help you feel settled. You stay in control throughout, you don't have to describe every detail, and we move at a pace that feels manageable. EMDR works in person or by telehealth.
What Can EMDR Help With?
EMDR can help with a wide range of experiences, not only single-incident trauma but also the slow build-up of distress that comes from living with anxiety, shame, or unresolved memories.
I use it for post-traumatic stress, adverse childhood experiences, sexual assault, and betrayal trauma, and for the patterns that keep people stuck, including ChemSex, porn addiction, and other compulsive behaviors.
Because EMDR works with how experiences are stored in the body and nervous system, it can reach distress that talking alone often can't shift.
If insight hasn't been enough to create change, EMDR may offer a different way forward.
You might be in the right place if:
-
You feel stuck in patterns you can't think your way out of
-
You've done talk therapy but the same feelings keep coming back
-
Reminders of the past still trigger strong physical or emotional reactions
-
You carry shame, anxiety, or beliefs like "I'm not safe" or "it was my fault"
-
You want relief that reaches deeper than insight alone
-
You're ready to process what happened so it no longer runs the show
EMDR Therapy FAQ
Is EMDR evidence-based?
Yes. EMDR is one of the most researched trauma treatments and is recommended for post-traumatic stress by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Can we do EMDR by telehealth?
Yes. I offer EMDR in person in Bala Cynwyd and by telehealth across Pennsylvania. Online sessions use on-screen eye movements or tapping you do yourself, and many clients find them just as effective.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on what we're working on. A single distressing memory may ease in a few sessions, while complex or long-standing trauma usually takes longer. We start with preparation so you have tools to stay grounded before we process anything.
Do I have to talk about every detail?
No. EMDR doesn't require you to describe a memory in depth. You stay in control of what you share, and we can pause at any time.
Is EMDR a form of hypnosis?
No. You're awake, aware, and in charge the whole time. EMDR helps your brain finish processing memories that got stuck, but you won't lose control or be told what to think.
Can EMDR help with addiction?
It can be an important part of recovery. Compulsive behaviors often grow out of trauma and shame, and EMDR can reduce the triggers that keep the cycle going. I often combine it with addiction-focused therapy for ChemSex, porn addiction, and sex addiction.
How do I get started?
Book a free consultation using the form below. We'll talk about what's bringing you in and whether EMDR is a good fit.
