EMDR Therapy
Discover A New Type Of Healing
Life can be a beautiful journey, but for many of us, it comes with its share of challenges and traumas. If you've experienced events or situations that have left you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck, know that you don't have to carry the weight of your past alone. At Lighter Living Counseling, our trauma therapists are here to support you on your path to healing, recovery, and renewed hope.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a research-backed approach designed to help people process and heal from distressing or traumatic experiences. While it was initially developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it has since been found to be effective for a wide range of concerns—including anxiety, depression, childhood trauma, medical trauma, and overwhelming life stressors.
Unlike talk therapy, which often focuses on insight and reflection, EMDR works with how trauma is stored in the brain and body. When something overwhelming happens, the brain sometimes gets “stuck,” and the memory or emotion doesn’t fully process. EMDR helps the brain reprocess those stuck memories so they no longer feel as raw, charged, or disruptive.
The method was developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro, who discovered that certain eye movements seemed to reduce the emotional intensity of distressing memories. Over time, EMDR evolved into a structured, eight-phase treatment backed by decades of clinical research. It is now recognized as an evidence-based treatment for trauma by organizations such as the APA and the WHO.
At its core, EMDR therapy is about helping your nervous system come back into balance. It can support healing in a way that doesn’t require you to retell or relive painful events in detail—making it a gentle yet powerful option for many people.
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How EMDR Therapy Works—And Who It Can Help
EMDR can be helpful for a wide range of people—not just those with trauma histories. In my practice, I use it with clients navigating:
PTSD and complex trauma
Childhood abuse or neglect
Grief and loss
Panic attacks and chronic anxiety
Low self-worth and shame
Medical trauma or birth trauma
Difficult life transitions or breakups
Emotional neglect or relational wounds
What sets EMDR apart is how it helps you tap into your brain’s natural ability to heal. The process involves revisiting a memory or belief—just enough to activate it—and pairing that with bilateral stimulation (often eye movements or gentle tapping). This allows your brain to “unstick” what got frozen in place and make new connections.
In session, I’ll guide you through this in a steady, contained way. You stay in control the whole time. We don’t rush. We go at the pace your nervous system can handle.
Over time, many clients describe feeling lighter, more grounded, and less reactive. EMDR doesn’t erase the past—but it does shift how the past lives inside you. That means fewer emotional triggers, fewer intrusive thoughts, and more capacity to respond rather than react.
While EMDR is powerful on its own, I often integrate it with other approaches—like parts work, somatic awareness, or cognitive techniques—so that we’re working with both the mind and the body. This creates a well-rounded approach to healing that supports both immediate relief and long-term growth.
Sheilah’s Background With EMDR Therapy
I’ve been supporting individuals in therapy for 15 years, and EMDR has become one of the most impactful tools in my work. I completed my EMDR training through Insight Counseling Center, and continue to pursue consultation and advanced trainings to deepen my skill and understanding.
I was drawn to EMDR because I saw how often people came to therapy feeling like they’d talked about their pain for years, but still felt stuck. EMDR offers another path—a way to go deeper without getting overwhelmed. It helps shift the emotional charge of a memory or belief in a way that words alone often can’t.
In sessions, I create a trauma-informed space that’s steady, collaborative, and respectful of your pace. Whether you’re working through a specific trauma or navigating patterns rooted in early emotional wounds, EMDR can help bring clarity, healing, and relief.
If needed, I’m also happy to coordinate care with prescribers, physicians, or other members of your support team to ensure integrated, whole-person care.
Therapy Sessions Unique To Your Needs
Every individual's experience with trauma is unique, and we believe that your healing journey should reflect that uniqueness. Our team will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals. This tailored approach ensures that you receive the support and guidance that is most effective for you.
We are dedicated to providing you with the tools and strategies you need to build resilience and find confidence and trust in yourself once again. We believe in the incredible strength of the human spirit and its capacity to heal. Throughout your journey with us, we'll emphasize the message that there is always hope, even in the darkest of moments. You are not defined by your trauma, and with our support, you can reclaim your life.
When considering EMDR therapy, we want to focus on building therapeutic trust with you to create an environment of safety and connection. We will also help you tap into various coping strategies so that you feel prepared to start the reprocessing of your traumatic/negative memories.
Only You Can Define Your Future
You don't have to carry the weight of your past alone. Reach out to our practice, and take the first step towards healing the mental and emotional wounds you have been forced to carry. We're ready to support you on your journey, and we're committed to providing you with the tools and guidance you need to find your inner strength and move towards a brighter future.
Trauma may have shaped your past, but with the right resources it doesn't have to define your future. Our therapists are here to help you discover the restorative power within you and find the optimism you deserve. Get in touch with us today and let's start your journey toward a life of resilience, empowerment, and promise.
EMDR has been extensively researched and is backed by the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization, the Department of Veterans Affairs and many more as an effective treatment for trauma and other mental health disorders like depression, chronic pain, and addiction. Read more about EMDR https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/.
If you are interested in EMDR therapy and want to discuss the possibility of starting your healing process, call 754-308-5525 today!
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