EMDR Therapy
Rewiring the Adaptive Information Processing system
In-person in Chico, CA and online across CA & OR
The Science of Stuck Data
Your brain has a natural, sophisticated system for processing information and experiences. Under normal circumstances, it "digests" what happens to you, extracts the useful data, and discards the rest. But when an experience is too intense (a sudden trauma, a chronic high-pressure environment, or an attachment wound) that system can become overwhelmed.
The experience gets "frozen" in its raw, original form, along with the same body sensations, emotions, and beliefs you had in that moment. It becomes a loop of unprocessed data that is constantly being "re-read" by your nervous system as a current threat.
How EMDR Works
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a specialized protocol designed to restart your brain’s natural processing system. By using Bilateral Stimulation (BLS)—usually through guided eye movements or rhythmic tapping—we stimulate both hemispheres of the brain while you stay grounded in the present.
Bypassing the "Fixer" Defense: Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require you to analyze or explain your past perfectly. It works directly with the "stuck" neural pathways.
The REM Connection: Research suggests that the eye movements in EMDR mimic what happens during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, the stage where your brain naturally processes the day's events and consolidates memory.
De-Escalating the Amygdala: During reprocessing, the "emotional charge" of the memory is neutralized. You still remember what happened, but it no longer triggers a "fight-or-flight" response in your body.
What to Expect
Precision Over Rigidity
While EMDR follows a structured, eight-phase protocol, the process is rarely a straight line. Because your nervous system is a living system—not a machine—the work is iterative. We move at the speed of your physiology, not your schedule.
A course of EMDR treatment includes a “resource library” phase, titration and pacing, and once EMDR is complete—a shift to neutral. Memories that once felt sharp and painful feel neutral—or as my clients often put it, quite simply boring. They become part of your history rather than a driving force in your present.
Ready to step back into your life?
You’ve spent enough time watching your life from the ceiling, performing a version of "fine" that no longer fits. It is time to move beyond the cycle of endurance and into a life that is actually yours to inhabit.
EMDR FAQs
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EMDR FAQs 〰️
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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a neurobiological intervention designed to help the brain "re-process" traumatic or overwhelming memories. Unlike traditional talk therapy, it focuses on the brain’s natural Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) system to neutralize the emotional charge of "stuck" data.
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When a traumatic event occurs, it can get "frozen" in its raw, original form. EMDR uses Bilateral Stimulation (BLS)—such as guided eye movements or tapping—to stimulate both hemispheres of the brain. This mimics the natural processing that happens during REM sleep, allowing the brain to integrate the memory into a long-term, narrative history rather than a current threat.
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Sessions are focused on a specific trauma target. We ensure you stay grounded in the present while processing memories and content from the past. You don’t need to describe every detail perfectly. The goal is to help your brain do processing of trauma material in the background with my help. This process helps shift memories from sharp intrusive experiences to neutral, achieved ones.
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The timeline varies depending on the person and the complexity of the “stuck” data. Some clients find instant relief with a single-incident stressor within 6-12 sessions. For other with long-standing patterns or complex detachment, the process may take longer as we build the necessary resilience to support the deeper work.
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Yes. For many high-functioning professionals, "burnout" is actually a symptom of a nervous system that has lost its structural integrity due to chronic stress. EMDR helps de-escalate the amygdala, allowing you to regain your clinical distance and professional "ease" without the constant feeling of being "on edge."
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Intensives are longer, concentrated blocks of therapy (often 80 minutes or more) designed for accelerated processing. For busy medical or legal professionals, this format is often more efficient, as it allows us to move through significant "movement" in a shorter calendar window rather than stretching the work over several months.