EMDR Therapy in San Diego

EMDR therapy for pre-teens, teens, emerging adults, and adults who are struggling with difficult experiences that continue to affect how they think, feel, or respond in the present.

What Is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy originally developed to treat trauma and PTSD. It helps people process distressing experiences that continue to feel emotionally charged or influence how they respond to situations in the present.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, while working with memories, emotions, physical sensations, and beliefs connected to an experience. As these experiences are processed, they may become less distressing and feel less connected to present-day reactions.

The goal isn't to erase or forget what happened. You can still remember the experience, but it may no longer carry the same emotional intensity or have the same influence over how you see yourself.

When the Past Is Still Affecting the Present

Difficult experiences can shape the beliefs we develop about ourselves, other people, and what we need to do to feel safe, accepted, or successful.

You might find yourself thinking:

• I'm not good enough.

• I don't belong.

• I'm a failure.

• I have to get everything right.

• I can't let people down.

• I'm not safe.

• I should be over this by now.

These beliefs and reactions can develop from significant traumatic events, but they can also be connected to repeated or difficult experiences that shaped how you learned to see yourself, other people, or the world.

EMDR can help clients process these experiences and develop more adaptive ways of understanding what happened and what it means about them now.

What Can EMDR Help With?

EMDR has substantial research support for the treatment of PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. Depending on the client and their treatment goals, EMDR may also be incorporated into therapy when difficult past experiences are contributing to:

• Anxiety and fear

• Panic and distressing triggers

• Negative beliefs about yourself

• Shame and low self-esteem

• Perfectionism and fear of failure

• Difficult relationship experiences

• Grief and loss

• Stress related to difficult life experiences

Your therapist will work with you to determine whether EMDR is appropriate for your concerns and where it fits within your overall treatment plan.

What Does EMDR Therapy Look Like?

EMDR is more than eye movements. Treatment begins with understanding your history, identifying what you would like to work on, and developing skills to manage difficult emotions before beginning reprocessing.

When you are ready, your therapist will guide you in briefly focusing on aspects of a difficult experience while using bilateral stimulation. You remain awake, aware, and in control throughout the process.

EMDR does not require you to describe every detail of an experience aloud. Your therapist will help you move through the process at a pace that considers your needs, readiness, and treatment goals.

EMDR + Clinical Art Therapy

At Patch Counseling, Allison Patch, LMFT, ATR, and Brittany Benjamin Amante, LMFT, ATR have completed EMDR basic training and can integrate EMDR with Clinical Art Therapy when appropriate.

EMDR often involves memories, emotions, physical sensations, beliefs, and mental images. Clinical Art Therapy can provide another way to explore and express experiences that may be difficult to put into words.

Art-based interventions may also be incorporated during preparation and stabilization to support grounding, emotional regulation, and the development of coping resources before beginning deeper processing.

Clients do not need any artistic experience to participate in Clinical Art Therapy, and art-making is never required as part of EMDR treatment.

Is EMDR Right for Me?

EMDR isn't necessarily the right approach for every concern or every stage of therapy. Before beginning EMDR, your therapist will spend time understanding what you're experiencing, your history, your current coping resources, and what you hope to change.

For some clients, EMDR becomes a primary part of treatment. For others, it may be one component of therapy alongside CBT, DBT, mindfulness and Clinical Art Therapy.

The goal is not to fit you into a particular modality. It's to determine which approaches best support what you're working through.

Schedule a Consultation

Patch Counseling offers EMDR therapy in person in Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, as well as online therapy throughout California when clinically appropriate.

Schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to learn more about EMDR and see if Patch Counseling is a good fit.