Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: EMDR Therapy

A therapist makes hand movements during a session. Are you wondering if EMDR therapy in Las Vegas, NV, can help you overcome trauma? Reach out to an experienced EMDR therapist in Nevada to find out.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps people process and heal from trauma, anxiety, and other distressing experiences that continue to affect them in the present. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, it is widely used for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But its applications go far beyond that.

EMDR is based on the understanding that the brain has a natural capacity to heal. When something overwhelming happens—that process can become interrupted. Instead of being fully processed and stored as a memory, the experience may remain “stuck,” continuing to trigger emotional, physical, or relational reactions long after the event is over.

EMDR helps the brain resume that natural processing, so past experiences no longer feel like they’re happening in the present.

During EMDR sessions at Integrative Path Therapy, we work together to identify unprocessed memories or patterns and approach them in a safe and structured way. As you bring one to mind, I’ll guide you through bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or alternating tones. This gentle back-and-forth activates both sides of the brain, helping the memory “unhook” from the emotional charge it’s carrying.

The memory itself doesn’t disappear, but it no longer overwhelms your system. Clients often describe feeling like the emotional waves get smaller. Their reactions soften, and they’re finally able to move forward without the past crashing into the present.

What Does EMDR Help With?

EMDR is often associated with trauma, but it can be helpful for many experiences where the past continues to shape present-day reactions.

EMDR may be a good fit if you’re experiencing:

Trauma or PTSD
Anxiety, panic, or phobias
Grief or unresolved loss
Emotional reactivity that feels out of proportion
Negative core beliefs (such as shame or self-blame)
Attachment wounds or relational trauma
Chronic stress responses are held in the body
Traumatic invalidation or emotional neglect

EMDR works at the level of both the brain and nervous system—not just insight or understanding.

EMDR doesn’t just help people “understand” their pain. It helps the brain and body reprocess it so you can respond to life from the present moment instead of reliving the past on a loop.

What Is Trauma?

Trauma isn’t defined by how “big” an event was—it’s defined by the impact it had on your nervous system, emotions, and sense of safety. Trauma can result from a single overwhelming event or from smaller moments that happened repeatedly over time. It often shows up as feeling unsafe, emotionally reactive, shut down, or stuck in patterns that don’t match your current reality.

Some trauma is obvious, like surviving abuse, assault, or an accident. But trauma can also come from experiences like ongoing criticism, emotional neglect, being dismissed or invalidated, growing up in a chaotic or unpredictable home, or constantly feeling like you had to earn love and acceptance.

Whether your trauma is directly linked to one event or years of painful patterns, EMDR therapy can help the nervous system shift out of survival mode and move toward a sense of calm, clarity, and connection.

You can learn more about the different types and effects of trauma on my Trauma Therapy page.

What To Expect In EMDR Sessions

EMDR therapy follows a structured approach, but the experience is always guided by your pace, needs, and readiness. Before any reprocessing begins, we spend time getting to know your history, understanding what feels most important to work on, and building a sense of safety and stability in the work together.

When we do begin processing, you don’t need to describe every detail of what happened. EMDR often works internally, with gentle guidance and regular check-ins to make sure you feel supported and within a manageable range. Sessions are collaborative, and you are always in control — you can slow down, pause, or stop at any point.

The focus is not on reliving the past, but on helping your nervous system recognize that the experience is over, so you can respond to the present with more ease, clarity, and choice.

Picture of a happy man smiling. Does past trauma keep you from enjoying life? EMDR therapy in Las Vegas, NV, can help you deal with traumatic experiences that may be holding you back from freedom and joy.

Begin EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy can help you process experiences that feel stuck and reduce the emotional weight they continue to carry in your life. If you’re wondering whether EMDR is the right fit for you, the first step is a conversation.

I offer EMDR therapy for adults in Las Vegas, Nevada and Torrance, California, with online sessions available across California, Nevada, and Oregon. During a free telephone consultation, we’ll talk through what you’re experiencing and determine whether EMDR — or another approach — makes sense for your needs.

If you’d like to learn more or schedule a consultation, you’re welcome to reach out through the contact form on this website.

FAQ’s Related to EMDR Therapy

When is EMDR not recommended?

EMDR is a powerful therapy, but it’s not always the right fit for every situation or every stage of healing. In my practice, I don’t recommend EMDR when someone is currently in a highly unstable situation, such as ongoing abuse, unmanaged psychosis, or active substance dependence that significantly interferes with being able to stay present. EMDR also may not be appropriate if someone has great difficulty staying grounded or regulating intense emotional states, at least not at first.

That said, it doesn’t mean EMDR is off the table forever. It often just means we need to build some foundational skills first. In those cases, we focus on developing tools for stability and safety before moving into reprocessing work. We go at your pace. EMDR is most effective when you’re able to stay connected to the present while revisiting past experiences. And it’s my job to help you get there safely, if and when it’s the right time.

Who should consider EMDR therapy?

EMDR can be a powerful tool for anyone who feels weighed down by the past. Whether the pain comes from a specific event or a buildup of smaller experiences that left a lasting impact. You don’t need to have experienced a “capital T” trauma for EMDR to be helpful. Sometimes, the moments we thought we should have just gotten over are the ones that shape us the most.

You might consider EMDR if:

Something painful or confusing happened, and it still feels unresolved
Certain triggers or situations set off big emotional reactions, and you’re not sure why
You know something is over, but it doesn’t feel over
You find yourself repeating patterns in relationships or struggling with self-worth
You’ve done talk therapy before, but you’re looking for something that works on a deeper level
You experience dissociation or feel disconnected from your body or emotions
You’ve been through chronic stress, emotional invalidation, or complex trauma that still affects how you feel today

In my practice, EMDR helps people reconnect with themselves, loosen the grip of the past, and feel more present in their lives. If you’re wondering if EMDR might be right for you, we can talk it through together and make a plan that fits where you are now.

Who should not do EMDR therapy?

While EMDR can be transformative for many, there are certain situations or conditions where it’s better to pause or choose another approach first. In my solo practice, I always start by making sure you’re as safe, stable, and supported as possible—so if any of the following apply right now, EMDR would likely be delayed until we address those needs first:

Active suicidal thinking or ongoing self-harm.

If you’re experiencing intense urges to harm yourself or are in crisis, the focus needs to be on safety planning and stabilization (for example, building coping strategies, connecting with crisis resources, or addressing suicidal ideation directly) before we dive into processing painful memories.

Uncontrolled dissociation or feeling “totally checked out”.

EMDR asks you to hold a memory in mind while doing bilateral stimulation. If you tend to dissociate completely—losing awareness of your body or surroundings—you need skills to stay grounded first. Otherwise, the process can feel overwhelming and unsafe.

Untreated psychosis, severe mania, or active severe mental health symptoms.

Revisiting distressing memories during an active psychotic episode or in the grips of mania can worsen confusion or distress. We’d want to help you achieve more emotional stability and work with any psychiatric treatments first.

Ongoing substance use that makes it hard to stay present.

If substances (alcohol or drugs) are being used in a way that interferes with staying focused or awake during sessions, it’s better to prioritize stabilization—such as a referral for addiction support, before engaging in trauma processing.

Seizure disorders that aren’t well controlled

Although bilateral eye movements are low-risk, they still carry a small chance of triggering a seizure if you have uncontrolled epilepsy. In those cases, we’d coordinate closely with your medical team or pause until your seizure activity is better managed.

Recent traumatic brain injury or other serious medical/neurological conditions:

If you’ve had a recent head injury (concussion) or certain neurological issues (like vestibular problems), moving your eyes rapidly back and forth might be uncomfortable or contraindicated. We’d need clearance from a physician and possibly adapt or delay EMDR.

Severe cognitive impairment or developmental challenges that make it hard to follow instructions:

EMDR relies on your ability to notice sensations, thoughts, and emotions in the moment. If cognitive processing is significantly impaired, we’d explore other modalities (for example, stabilization therapies or somatic approaches) first.

Lack of regular session availability or commitment:

EMDR works best when sessions occur consistently. If you can’t commit to a weekly (or sometimes more frequent) schedule, it becomes difficult to maintain the continuity needed to process memories safely. In that case, we might start with supportive therapy to build skills until you can fully engage.

“Not right now” doesn’t mean “never.”

In my practice, I focus on meeting you where you are. If any of the above apply, it simply means we’ll start by strengthening your coping resources—grounding techniques, safety planning, emotion regulation skills, or medical stabilization—before moving into EMDR. Once you have that foundation, we can revisit EMDR as a powerful tool for processing and healing.

What stops EMDR from working?

EMDR is a well-researched therapy, but like any approach, it’s not a magic fix, and sometimes things get in the way of progress.

Common reasons EMDR Therapy might stall or feel like it’s not working:

Trying to go too fast, too soon
- EMDR works best when you feel safe and supported. If we jump into painful memories without enough preparation, like grounding skills or trust in the process, it can feel overwhelming and shut things down. That’s why we start slow and build a solid foundation first.
Difficulty staying present
- EMDR requires you to stay connected to the memory and to the present moment. If you dissociate, shut down, or feel flooded, your brain can’t fully process what’s coming up. We may need to pause, slow down, or strengthen your ability to stay grounded before continuing.
Not targeting the right memory or belief
- Sometimes the memory we think is the problem isn’t actually the root of the issue. Or the negative belief we’re working with isn’t quite accurate. A big part of my role is helping you get to the core experiences that are really driving your distress, and adjusting as we go.
Ongoing trauma or instability
- If you’re still living in a chaotic or unsafe situation, your nervous system may not feel ready to process past trauma. EMDR asks the brain to open up and reorganize old experiences, and that’s hard to do when your energy is going into day-to-day survival.
Unrealistic expectations or pressure to “get better fast”
- EMDR can bring real relief, sometimes surprisingly quickly, but healing is rarely linear. If you’re judging yourself for not making fast progress or comparing your experience to someone else’s, it can create pressure that slows things down. In our work together, we honor your process, not a timeline.
Inconsistent sessions or lack of continuity
- EMDR builds on momentum. If sessions are infrequent or interrupted too often, it can be hard for your brain to stay engaged in the process. Regular, consistent sessions make it easier to stay connected and build trust with the work.

We’ll Talk About It

If something’s not working, we’ll talk about it. There are always ways to adjust—whether that means spending more time on preparation, working through a block, or using different strategies to help you feel more connected. EMDR is flexible, and our work together is always collaborative. You don’t have to force anything—healing happens when we work with your nervous system, not against it.