Is EMDR Therapy Right For You? Who It Helps and Why
If something inside you knows it’s time to feel different—even if you’re not sure how or where to start—EMDR may be a good fit.
Some people come to EMDR after years of therapy and insight. They understand their patterns-but they still feel stuck. Overwhelmed by emotional reactions, held back by shame, or hijacked by sensations they can’t explain. Others are just starting and feel drawn to EMDR therapy because they’ve heard it works fast or helps people shift things they haven’t been able to access in other ways. And while EMDR can bring relief more quickly than some traditional approaches, it’s not a shortcut or a miracle cure. It’s a structured, powerful therapy that supports deep healing when your nervous system is ready for the work. Learn more about how EMDR works from the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).
You might consider EMDR if:
- You feel like your reactions don’t match your current life
- You’re functioning on the outside but struggling inside
- You know something logically, but your body or emotions still respond as if the threat is here
- You carry beliefs, memories, or fears that won’t loosen, even after time or talking
That said, EMDR isn’t for everyone—or at least not right away.
It’s not recommended if you’re in the middle of a crisis, if you’re still in a trauma situation where danger is ongoing, or if your nervous system doesn’t yet have enough stability to tolerate emotional processing. EMDR may also need to be paused or adapted if you’re experiencing frequent dissociation, using substances in a way that pulls you out of the moment, or living with untreated medical conditions that could be worsened by stress. In all of these cases, we start with what your system needs first—safety, grounding, and support.
This doesn’t mean EMDR is off the table. It just means we begin where you are. And the foundation we build together matters as much as the reprocessing work itself.
If you’re not sure whether EMDR is right for you, that’s completely okay. You don’t have to know for certain before reaching out. We’ll figure it out together. My role is to meet you where you are and help you make choices that support healing, not push you into a process you’re not ready for.
What Gets in the Way?
EMDR is most effective when there’s enough safety, support, and pacing. It tends to stall when there’s pressure to rush, when emotional intensity outweighs coping capacity, or when someone is trying to “push through” without feeling truly ready. Dissociation, avoidance, or resistance are not failures—they’re signs your system needs more care and collaboration before continuing.
Dissociation
One major obstacle is dissociation, which often occurs when a person mentally detaches from the present moment to avoid overwhelming emotions. When someone dissociates during EMDR, they may struggle to stay grounded enough to fully engage with the traumatic memory or the processing phase, making it difficult to achieve the therapeutic breakthroughs EMDR is designed to facilitate.
Avoidance
In addition to dissociation, avoidance can also limit the effectiveness of EMDR. Avoidance may show up as an unwillingness to revisit painful memories or participate in therapy exercises, often driven by fear of emotional discomfort.
Resistance
Resistance, whether conscious or unconscious, can manifest as skepticism about the therapy, difficulty trusting the process or the EMDR therapist, or even downplaying the severity of past experiences. Both avoidance and resistance are natural coping mechanisms, but can stall progress if not addressed.
For EMDR to work optimally, clients need a foundation of safety and readiness, along with the therapeutic support to gently navigate these internal blocks. My role is to help you figure out what you need to feel safe enough for healing, and when the time is right, we’ll move into EMDR together. If the time isn’t right yet, we’ll still have meaningful work to do.
Many people start here-curious, cautious, and wondering what healing might look like.
Is EMDR the Right Fit? Final Thoughts From An EMDR Therapist
Deciding whether to begin EMDR is deeply personal—and there’s no single “right” way to feel about it. You might be curious, cautious, hopeful, overwhelmed… or all of those at once. That’s okay.
What I want you to know is this: you don’t have to be fully convinced or fully ready to reach out. You just need the sense that something in you wants relief, wants change, wants more. That’s enough to start a conversation.
In my work with clients, we move at your pace. Together, we’ll look at what’s showing up in your life, what’s getting in the way, and what kind of healing you’re ready for—whether that includes EMDR right away or somewhere down the line. There’s no pressure, no expectations, and no one-size-fits-all path.
You don’t have to go through this alone. I’m here to meet you wherever you are.
It’s Time For Your Breakthrough: Start EMDR Therapy in Las Vegas, NV or Torrance, CA
If you’ve been feeling stuck and wondering if EMDR could be the path toward real change, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it alone, either. EMDR therapy at Integrative Path Therapy offers a supportive, structured way to address painful memories, reduce emotional overwhelm, and move toward the life you want to live with more clarity, calm, and confidence.
Whether you’re searching for in-person EMDR therapy in Las Vegas, NV, or Torrance, CA, or prefer the convenience of online sessions, I offer flexible options to meet you where you are.
I offer in-person EMDR sessions on:
- Mondays and Thursdays in Las Vegas, NV
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Torrance, CA
Online sessions are also available throughout California, Nevada, and Oregon. Here’s how to get started:
- Whether you’re feeling certain or still unsure, this first step simply opens the door. Contact me so I can help you decide what’s right for you.
- Find a time to connect with an EMDR therapist in Las Vegas, NV. During this first meeting, we’ll explore your goals and begin mapping out a plan tailored to your needs.
- Begin EMDR therapy at a comfortable pace. Healing unfolds differently for everyone, and together we’ll move at a pace that honors your readiness, boundaries, and emotional safety.
You don’t have to have everything figured out to get started. All it takes is a willingness to explore what healing could look like—and I’ll be here to support you every step of the way.
Other Services at Integrative Path Healing
When you’re working through painful memories or patterns that feel hard to break, EMDR therapy can be a powerful way to find clarity and relief. But healing is deeply personal, and sometimes the best outcomes come from integrating multiple approaches—or trying something different altogether. If EMDR isn’t the right fit for you right now, or if you’d benefit from added support, I offer a variety of other trauma-informed services tailored to your unique needs.
At Integrative Path Therapy, I support adults facing emotional overwhelm, trauma histories, and complex life transitions through a range of therapeutic options. Some of these include Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), DBT Skills Training Groups, and Trauma-Focused Therapy. I provide therapy services for individuals, couples, and families, and also offer consultation and DBT training for clinicians. Additionally, I offer support for those dealing with suicidal ideation, self-harm, and dissociation. I work exclusively with adults, offering in-person sessions in Las Vegas, NV and Torrance, CA, along with online therapy across California, Nevada, and Oregon.
Healing doesn’t have to look one particular way. Whether you’re beginning with EMDR or exploring a different therapeutic path, you’re not in this alone. Together, we’ll find the support that meets you where you are.
