What is EMDR?

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story can make all the difference.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, research-backed therapy designed to help you process and release painful experiences that continue to affect your life. It’s not just for major traumas—it’s also incredibly effective for anxiety, perfectionism, relationship struggles, low self-esteem, people-pleasing, and feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve you.

During EMDR, you briefly focus on a past memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation—like eye movements or tapping—that helps your brain reprocess the experience in a calmer, more adaptive way. This process reduces the emotional charge of painful memories, allowing you to feel more grounded, confident, and at peace.

Extensive research supports EMDR as a powerful tool for healing not only trauma and PTSD but also a wide range of distressing experiences and emotional challenges. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, burnout, attachment wounds, or difficult relationship patterns, EMDR can help you find relief and move forward with greater clarity and ease.

  • EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s an evidence-based therapy designed to help people heal from distressing life experiences—whether big “T” traumas like accidents or abuse, or small “t” traumas like chronic criticism, breakups, or feeling unseen. EMDR helps your brain reprocess stuck memories so they no longer feel emotionally charged or disruptive. Over time, you can recall those memories without being overwhelmed or triggered. Here is a video to learn more.

  • EMDR therapy helps you address difficult experiences from the past, feel more stable in the present, and build resilience for the future. It follows an eight-phase treatment approach that is tailored to your needs.

    Phase 1: History-Taking & Planning

    In our first sessions, we’ll focus on understanding your history and identifying the experiences or situations that feel distressing. This might include memories from childhood, recent stressors, or recurring patterns that cause emotional pain. Together, we’ll develop a treatment plan that targets these issues and helps you build the skills you need for future situations.

    We may start with processing childhood events if they feel most impactful, especially if early experiences continue to shape how you respond to stress or relationships today. As you process these memories, you may gain new insights, experience emotional relief, and notice changes in your behavior.

    The length of your treatment depends on your specific needs. For single-event traumas from adulthood, successful processing can sometimes occur in under five hours. However, if you’ve experienced multiple traumas or your difficulties began in childhood, longer treatment may be necessary.

    Phase 2: Preparation & Skill-Building

    During this phase, I’ll make sure you feel equipped with tools to handle emotional distress both during and outside of our sessions. We’ll work on imagery exercises, grounding techniques, and other stress-reduction strategies that you can use anytime you feel overwhelmed.

    The goal is to create a sense of safety and stability, so you feel confident moving forward with the deeper work of EMDR. Throughout the process, I’m here to support you and help you feel balanced and in control.

    Phases 3–6: Processing & Healing

    These phases are where the core work of EMDR therapy happens. When we begin processing, we’ll identify a specific target to work on. This target might be a disturbing memory, a distressing current situation, or a recurring negative belief about yourself.

    You’ll be asked to focus on:

    1. A vivid visual image related to the memory or issue.

    2. A negative belief you hold about yourself (for example, “I am powerless” or “I am not good enough”).

    3. Related emotions and body sensations that come up when you think about the memory.

    We’ll also identify a positive belief you want to embrace—something that feels empowering and true. I’ll ask you to rate how strongly you believe this positive thought, so we can track your progress over time.

    From there, you’ll focus on the image, negative belief, and body sensations while I guide you through bilateral stimulation. This might involve eye movements, tapping, or listening to alternating tones. The purpose is to help your brain process and release the distressing memories or beliefs so that they no longer feel as overwhelming.

    You don’t need to force anything or try to make something happen. Instead, you’re encouraged to just notice whatever comes up—thoughts, feelings, images, or sensations. After each set of stimulation, I’ll ask you to let your mind go blank and observe what comes up next.

    This process is repeated several times within a session. If you start to feel overwhelmed or stuck, I’ll help you regain a sense of calm and safety before continuing. As we move through the processing, you’ll likely find that the distress connected to these memories begins to fade.

    When you reach the point where the targeted memory or belief no longer feels disturbing, we’ll shift to reinforcing the positive belief you identified at the beginning. You may adjust this belief as needed, and we’ll work to strengthen it until it feels true and natural.

    Phase 7: Closure & Reflection

    At the end of each session, I’ll guide you through techniques to help you feel calm and grounded. You’ll leave the session feeling stable, even if there’s more work to do in the future.

    I may ask you to keep a simple log during the week. This isn’t about homework or forcing yourself to remember what happened. Instead, it’s a way to notice if any new thoughts, feelings, or insights come up between sessions. This log also serves as a reminder to use your calming techniques if you feel distressed.

    Phase 8: Review & Progress Evaluation

    Every new session begins with a review of what we’ve processed so far. We’ll assess your progress and decide together what to work on next. Our goal is to help you feel more at ease with past experiences, more resilient in the present, and better equipped to handle future challenges.

    We’ll continue working through past memories, current stressors, and anticipated future situations until you feel confident and free from the emotional pain that once held you back

  • EMDR sessions are structured and collaborative. We’ll first identify the experiences that still affect you today. Then, using a technique called bilateral stimulation—often eye movements, tapping, or sound—we’ll activate both sides of your brain to help you reprocess those experiences in a way that feels safe and empowering. You remain in control the whole time, and I’ll guide you through each step with care and intention.

    EMDR follows an 8-phase process that allows us to move at a pace that feels right for you:

    1. History Taking – We’ll explore your current concerns, personal history, and identify the specific memories or patterns we may target in therapy.

    2. Preparation – You’ll learn grounding techniques, resourcing skills, and we’ll make sure you feel safe and ready before any processing begins.

    3. Assessment – We identify the memory, image, beliefs, emotions, and body sensations tied to the experience, setting the foundation for processing.

    4. Desensitization – This is where we begin the bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sound) to help the brain reprocess the memory and reduce emotional intensity.

    5. Installation – Once the distress goes down, we reinforce a positive belief or self-perception to replace the old, limiting one.

    6. Body Scan – We check in with the body to ensure there’s no lingering tension or discomfort, and that healing has settled in both mind and body.

    7. Closure – Each session ends with grounding, calming, and making sure you leave feeling stable and supported.

    8. Re-evaluation – At the beginning of future sessions, we check in on your progress, adjust the plan if needed, and continue the work with clarity and intention.

    Throughout the process, we move at your pace. EMDR can be a powerful experience, but it’s never rushed. You’ll be supported every step of the way as we work together to bring more ease, clarity, and confidence into your life.

  • EMDR therapy has been extensively researched and shown to be effective for a wide range of concerns—including PTSD, complex PTSD (also known as developmental or attachment trauma), anxiety, depression, addiction, and even chronic pain. It can be used as a standalone therapy or integrated into a broader therapeutic approach.

    But EMDR isn’t just for people who’ve experienced major trauma. It’s also incredibly effective for those who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or weighed down by past experiences that haven’t fully healed.

    I specialize in working with adult women who are navigating:

    • Anxiety and panic

    • Low self-esteem and perfectionism

    • People-pleasing and difficulty setting boundaries

    • Emotionally unavailable or challenging relationships

    • Work-related stress, burnout, or career transitions

    • Childhood wounds and attachment patterns

    • Major life changes or identity shifts

    • Racial trauma and cultural stress

    • Financial trauma and limiting beliefs around money

    You don’t need a trauma diagnosis to benefit from EMDR. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why does this still bother me?” or “Why do I keep repeating this pattern?” — EMDR can help you get to the root, release what no longer serves you, and create space for real, lasting change.

  • Traditional talk therapy often helps you gain insight and understanding. EMDR goes a step further—it targets where the experience is stored in your nervous system and helps release it. You don’t have to talk in detail about the distressing memory if you don’t want to. EMDR works with the brain’s natural healing process to resolve the emotional charge without reliving the pain over and over. It’s less about retelling and more about rewiring.

  • The number of EMDR sessions varies based on your history, goals, and how many experiences we’re working through. Some people notice meaningful relief in just a few sessions, while others may benefit from a longer process—especially when addressing complex or layered patterns.

    EMDR therapy typically begins with a few preparation sessions, followed by focused processing sessions. My standard EMDR sessions are 90 minutes, which allows for deeper work and more time to complete full processing cycles. One 90-minute EMDR session is often equivalent to two or more traditional talk therapy sessions in terms of depth and movement.

    I also offer EMDR Intensives—a powerful option for those who want to work more deeply in a shorter period of time. These extended sessions (often half-day or full-day formats) are designed to help you create momentum, clarity, and relief when weekly sessions aren’t enough or don’t fit your lifestyle.

  • We will identify memories that still feel emotionally charged, but you won’t have to relive every detail. EMDR allows you to access these memories in a way that feels contained and manageable. You can share as much or as little as you want—I’ll be there to support and ground you throughout the process.

  • Yes. Many clients come to EMDR after feeling like talk therapy helped them understand why they feel the way they do—but not how to change it. EMDR is especially effective when insight alone hasn’t been enough. It works by helping the brain and body release stored distress, allowing you to feel more freedom, clarity, and calm—sometimes for the first time in years.

  • Yes. I offer EMDR therapy virtually for in Michigan, Missouri, Colorado, South Carolina and Texas. Online EMDR is just as effective as in-person work and allows you to process from the comfort and privacy of your own space. I’ll guide you step-by-step, and we’ll use tools that simulate bilateral stimulation through eye movements, tapping, or audio. All you need is a computer, strong internet connection and a quiet place for sessions.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps the brain and body reprocess distressing or unresolved experiences. Sometimes, overwhelming events can become “stuck” in the nervous system—particularly when the experience was sudden, remains unprocessed, or is difficult to release emotionally. These stuck memories can continue to shape how you think, feel, and respond, often outside of your conscious awareness.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones—while you bring attention to a specific memory, belief, or sensation. This process supports the brain’s natural drive toward psychological integration, helping it reprocess the experience, reduce emotional intensity, and foster more adaptive functioning. EMDR supports the nervous system in moving through areas of stuckness, making space for relief, clarity, and greater psychological flexibility.

Many women seek EMDR after trying other therapy approaches and still feeling stuck. They may struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, or relational patterns that feel exhausting. EMDR is especially effective when present-day challenges are tied to earlier experiences—even when those experiences don’t fit the traditional definition of trauma.

Understanding How EMDR Supports Change

As a trauma-informed therapy, EMDR helps the brain and body process memories that may have been stored in a fragmented, unresolved way. When distressing experiences are overwhelming—especially if they’re sudden, chronic, or unresolved—they can get “stuck” in the nervous system, leading to lingering symptoms that affect how you think, feel, and respond.

These stuck memories can show up in your life as anxiety, reactivity, people-pleasing, emotional numbness, or difficulty feeling safe in relationships. You might find yourself repeating patterns or struggling to move forward, even when you understand what’s happening intellectually.

EMDR therapy offers a structured, evidence-based way to address this stuckness. Using bilateral stimulation—such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones—EMDR activates the brain’s natural processing system. Rather than simply revisiting the past, EMDR allows you to reprocess and integrate unresolved memories, reducing their emotional intensity and creating more adaptive beliefs and responses.

As a result, many people feel less emotionally reactive, more grounded in the present, and more empowered to make intentional choices. It’s not just about talking through your past—it’s about helping your nervous system shift and adapt in a meaningful, lasting way.

Who Is EMDR Therapy For?

EMDR can support women navigating:

   •   Chronic anxiety or high-functioning anxiety

   •   People-pleasing and difficulty setting boundaries

   •   Perfectionism and inner criticism

   •   Persistent negative self-beliefs (e.g., “I’m not good enough,” “I’m too much”)

   •   Workplace stress or job-related trauma

   •   Relational trauma and emotionally immature family dynamics

   •   Childhood attachment wounds

   •   Racial trauma and identity-based distress

   •   Overfunctioning or caregiving in relationships

   •   Procrastination, shutdown, or freeze responses

   •   Feeling like “something’s wrong” but not knowing what

These issues often show up subtly: You may find yourself overthinking, unable to rest, stuck in loops of self-doubt, or constantly anticipating others’ reactions. EMDR helps interrupt those patterns at the root—often below the level of conscious thought.

How EMDR Therapy Works

EMDR is structured yet flexible. It involves:

1. Assessment and treatment planning

2. Resourcing – building coping tools and nervous system regulation skills

3. Identifying core memories, beliefs, and body responses

4. Bilateral stimulation – eye movements, tapping, or audio tones to support reprocessing

5. Reprocessing and integration

6. Closure and future-oriented work

EMDR is grounded in the principle of dual awareness: staying present and safe in the now while revisiting past experiences. Through this process, the emotional intensity of memories or beliefs diminishes, and your brain can finally store them as neutral events rather than ongoing threats.

EMDR and “Small-T” Trauma

A common misconception is that EMDR is only for “big-T” trauma—life-threatening events, abuse, or major accidents. In reality, EMDR is just as effective for the kinds of experiences that don’t seem “big enough” to explain why you’re feeling the way you do.

These “small-t” traumas might include:

   •   Being criticized, ignored, or rejected

   •   Constantly needing to overachieve or prove your worth

   •   Feeling dismissed in a relationship

   •   A performance review that left you questioning yourself

   •   Childhood environments with conditional love or emotional neglect

   •   Microaggressions that made you feel unsafe or unseen

The brain and body don’t distinguish between what should be traumatic and what feels threatening. EMDR helps your nervous system catch up to the reality that those moments have passed—and that you’re safe now.

Signs You Might Be Stuck

   •   You feel foggy, spacey, or checked out under stress

   •   You overreact to minor triggers or feel ashamed for “being too sensitive”

   •   You struggle to make decisions or trust yourself

   •   You avoid situations or people but don’t know why

   •   You replay conversations or events repeatedly in your mind

   •   You’re exhausted from trying to manage everything perfectly

   •   You have trouble relaxing, even in safe situations

   •   You feel like part of you is frozen in an earlier chapter of your life

Building Coping Skills First

Before we begin reprocessing with EMDR, we’ll focus on resourcing—developing coping strategies to help you stay grounded and emotionally safe. These tools may include:

   •   Mindfulness and grounding techniques

   •   Visualization and safe place imagery

   •   Breathwork and body-based awareness

   •   Values clarification or strengths-based practices

Resourcing is part of EMDR—but it’s also a gift in itself. Many clients find that this phase alone offers meaningful relief and insight.

EMDR Paired with Other Modalities

While EMDR is a powerful standalone therapy, it’s even more effective when combined with other evidence-based approaches. Our work may also incorporate:

   •   Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

   •   Solution-Focused Therapy

   •   Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

   •   Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills

   •   Psychodynamic insight into early patterns and attachment

   •   Mindfulness and body-awareness practices

Together, these approaches help build a strong foundation while EMDR works on deeper integration.

How EMDR Feels Different

Clients often describe EMDR sessions as:

   •   Efficient: “I made more progress in a few sessions than in years of therapy.”

   •   Transformative: “I didn’t realize how much I was holding until it lifted.”

   •   Subtle yet powerful: “I’m not triggered by that memory anymore—it’s just…neutral.”

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require you to relive every detail. You remain in control and can pause at any time. EMDR meets you where you are—and goes only as deep as you’re ready to go.

Evidence-Based and Widely Endorsed

EMDR is recognized by leading organizations around the world:

   •   American Psychological Association (APA)

   •   World Health Organization (WHO)

   •   U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

   •   International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS)

   •   Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Research shows EMDR is effective in reducing anxiety, emotional distress, and trauma-related symptoms—often with lasting results.

The Investment in EMDR

Many women seek out EMDR after spending years in talk therapy without the change they hoped for. EMDR isn’t just a different approach—it’s often a faster one. By working directly with the brain’s natural processing system, EMDR can help you move through stuck points in fewer sessions than traditional therapy alone.

This doesn’t mean the work is rushed. It means we focus where it matters—on the beliefs, body responses, and emotional patterns that have been quietly shaping your life. EMDR therapy is a powerful trauma therapy approach that can help you get unstuck, feel more in control of your emotions, and reconnect with your inner sense of safety. For many clients, EMDR brings clarity and relief more quickly than expected.

It’s an investment in your emotional freedom—and in a future where you don’t have to keep managing symptoms that could actually be resolved.

Questions to Ask Yourself

   •   Do I feel like I’ve done all the “right” things but still feel stuck?

   •   Am I tired of overthinking, overworking, or over-giving to feel okay?

   •   Have I tried talk therapy but feel like something deeper still needs attention?

   •   Do I want to feel safe in my body and more grounded in who I am?

   •   Am I curious about an approach that integrates mind and body?

If any of these resonate, EMDR may be a powerful next step.

Ready to Reconnect With Yourself?

You don’t have to keep carrying the weight of experiences that no longer belong to the present. EMDR can help you access calm, clarity, and confidence—not by talking in circles, but by shifting what’s underneath.

I work with women across Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. Let’s find out if EMDR therapy is the right fit for you.

Considerations Before Starting EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy isn’t a quick fix—but it can be a faster and more direct path to relief than traditional talk therapy, especially for issues that feel stuck or deeply rooted. Many clients experience meaningful progress in fewer sessions because EMDR works at both the emotional and nervous system levels. While the investment in EMDR can feel significant upfront, it may lead to faster breakthroughs and fewer sessions overall compared to other approaches.

Schedule your first session or reach out to learn more.

You deserve to feel whole again—on your terms, in your time.

Get Started

  • I have had the pleasure of consulting with Dr. Keller on many cases over the years, and I am consistently impressed by her clinical skill and insight. She brings a depth of knowledge to her work with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, relational trauma, and life transitions. Her ability to blend evidence-based practices with genuine warmth and compassion sets her apart. Clients report feeling understood and supported, and I have seen firsthand how her interventions lead to meaningful, lasting change.

    Wesley Washington, LPC

  • Dr. Keller is an exceptional EMDR therapist. I have referred clients to her who have struggled with complex trauma, perfectionism, and persistent negative beliefs. She guides clients through the EMDR process with clarity, patience, and expertise, helping them achieve breakthroughs where other approaches have not been successful. Her ability to help clients feel safe, supported, and empowered throughout the process is a testament to her skill and dedication.

    Meghan Beeks Davis, LMSW

  • As a fellow clinician specializing in couples therapy, I deeply respect Patricia’s approach to relational work. She creates a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel comfortable exploring difficult dynamics and unresolved conflicts. Her skill in helping couples enhance communication, build trust, and break unproductive patterns is remarkable. She approaches her work with professionalism, empathy, and a clear understanding of the complexities involved in relationship healing.

    Hasina Bankston, LMSW

  • As a therapist who values a feminist and socially conscious approach, I have tremendous respect for Dr. Keller’s commitment to providing culturally responsive and socially aware care. She approaches therapy with a deep understanding of how identity, social systems, and oppression impact mental health. Patricia skillfully integrates these factors into her work, offering a space where clients feel seen and valued in their fullness—whether addressing issues of race, gender, sexuality, or other aspects of identity. What truly stands out is her ability to weave these insights into a strong relational approach. She emphasizes genuine connection, collaboration, and authenticity in her work, understanding that therapeutic progress is built on trust and mutual respect. Clients frequently describe feeling profoundly understood and empowered by her compassionate, thoughtful guidance. Dr. Keller is a therapist who doesn’t shy away from the complexities of identity and social context, and her work reflects a dedication to promoting true healing and growth.

    Mary Wocher, PhD

  • Patricia is a remarkable therapist whose approach is both deeply compassionate and thoroughly grounded in evidence-based practice. She possesses a rare blend of clinical expertise, intuition, and genuine kindness that clients respond to immediately. Her collaborative style makes clients feel truly heard and understood, and her ability to help them navigate complex emotional landscapes is impressive.

    Vivian Keller, LMSW

  • Working alongside Patricia was a privilege. Her clinical approach is rooted in both skillful technique and authentic empathy. She brings a keen analytical mind to her work, combined with a genuine warmth that puts clients at ease. Her professionalism and commitment to ethical practice are evident in every interaction. I feel confident referring clients to her, knowing they will receive compassionate, effective care tailored to their unique needs.

    P. Lurtz, PhD

What to learn more?

EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) is a good resource to better understand this form of therapy.

Watch a Video about EMDR