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Does Online EMDR Really Work? Here's What the Research Says
Yes, for many people. What named studies say about online EMDR, how bilateral stimulation works on video, and what happens if you get overwhelmed. (146 characters)
Can EMDR Therapy Help With Burnout?
Burnout has become so common among high achievers that many people assume it is simply part of adulthood. Feeling exhausted all the time? Normal. Struggling to concentrate? Normal. Dreading work but pushing through anyway? Also normal.
Except it is not.
Ontological Loss: When You Lose the Life You Thought You Would Have
When a life path disappears — through diagnosis, infertility, divorce, or a derailed dream — the grief is real even when no one has died. A therapist explains ontological loss.
Why EMDR Therapy Works Even If You Cannot Remember Everything That Happened
One of the most common things people say when they're considering EMDR therapy is some version of: I'm not sure this will work for me because I can't really remember what happened.
The memory is hazy. Or partial. Or there's no narrative at all, just a feeling, a physical response, a vague sense that something is wrong without a clear story attached to it.
That concern makes sense. It's also based on a misunderstanding of how EMDR works, and more broadly, of how trauma is stored.
EMDR and Grief: How Trauma Therapy Can Help When Loss Feels Stuck
Grief is not a pathology. It does not follow a schedule. It does not resolve on anyone else's timeline.
Some days it feels manageable. Other days a smell, a photograph, or a song pulls everything back. That is normal. That is what grief does.
What is less normal is when grief gets stuck.
Why Am I So Tired After EMDR Therapy?
You walked out of your EMDR session feeling like you'd run a marathon. And now you're wondering: is this normal?
The answer, almost certainly, is that nothing went wrong. EMDR fatigue is one of the most common experiences people report after processing sessions, and it has a clear explanation.
Your brain just did something genuinely demanding. Here's why.
EMDR Therapy for Anxiety: What It Helps, What It Does Not, and How It Works
Many people are surprised to learn that EMDR therapy is not only for trauma. It can also help with certain types of anxiety that stem from unresolved memories, chronic stress, or relational wounds.
Top 10 Questions About EMDR Therapy, Answered by Our Therapists
Curious about EMDR therapy? Our trauma therapists answer the 10 questions they hear most often, from how it works to what to expect in a session.
The Difference Between Feeling Calm, Numb, and Dissociated in EMDR Therapy
Clients often tell their EMDR therapist, “I felt calm during that set,” only to realize later that they were actually numb or starting to dissociate. These states can feel similar in the moment, but they affect trauma therapy very differently. Understanding the distinction helps you communicate with your EMDR therapist, stay grounded in session, and get the most benefit from EMDR therapy.
Financial Trauma: Why Your Nervous System Doesn't Believe Your Bank Balance
Financial trauma is when your feelings about money don't match your balances. A trauma therapist explains how it forms, what it looks like, and how EMDR therapy can help.
EMDR and the New APA Guidelines: What Clients Should Actually Know
The 2025 APA guidelines gave EMDR a conditional recommendation. Here's what that actually means, what it doesn't mean, and why EMDR is still a strong treatment choice.
What Makes An "EMDR Super-Processor"? The Variables Behind Rapid EMDR Therapy Success
Some people respond to EMDR very quickly. Our team has provided EMDR therapy for over a decade, and we’ve seen our fair share of “super processors.” Here are the patterns we’ve noticed.
Why EMDR Feels Worse Before It Gets Better
Feeling worse after starting EMDR? A trauma therapist explains why EMDR can feel harder before it helps, and what that actually means for your healing.
When Your Parent Is Your First Bully
When your parent is your first bully, something profound happens in the nervous system. The world stops feeling emotionally safe in a very early, foundational way. And that kind of wound often follows people much longer than they realize.
Why Your In-Laws Trigger You So Much (And How EMDR Can Help)
If you find yourself wondering, "Why do my in-laws trigger me so much?" the answer is usually deeper than “they’re annoying.”
Yes, maybe they are intrusive and critical and always seem to know exactly how to get under your skin. But when a reaction feels intense, immediate, or hard to shake, it usually means something in your nervous system is getting activated.
Choosing a Clinician for EMDR: What to Look For and What to Ask
If you’re searching for trauma therapy in the Bay Area, you’ve probably come across EMDR therapy.
Short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMDR is a highly researched and effective treatment for trauma, PTSD, and emotional activation, among other things.
But like any therapy, your experience depends largely on finding the right fit.
EMDR for Phobias, Including Fear of Flying
EMDR can help with fear of flying and other phobias, from heights to needles. How it works, what to expect, and how many sessions it may take.
How EMDR Therapy Can Prevent PTSD (Rather Than Treat It)
Something happened. Maybe it was a car accident. A medical emergency. A sudden breakup. A traumatic birth. A natural disaster.
You keep thinking about it.
Your body feels jumpy. You’re not sleeping well. You replay certain moments. Loud sounds feel louder. Your nervous system feels… off.
And you might be wondering: Do I just wait this out? Or is there something I can do now?
There is.
EMDR therapy, when used early and strategically, can help prevent acute stress from becoming long-term PTSD.
What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Medical Trauma And How EMDR Therapy Can Help
When we hear the word "trauma," we often think of acute events: car accidents, assaults, natural disasters. But trauma also happens in examination rooms, hospital beds, and waiting areas. It happens quietly, often without language to name it. Medical trauma is real, complex, and far more common than we talk about.
Am I Doing EMDR Therapy Wrong?
If you’ve ever sat in an EMDR therapy session wondering, “Am I doing this right?” you’re in good company. This is one of the most common concerns people bring up, especially early on in the therapy process.
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We offer individualized teletherapy for a wide range of mental health and relational issues. Our San Francisco & Los Angeles therapists can help with anxiety, trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, LGBT gay and lesbian therapy issues, holistic therapy, enneagram therapy, therapy for lawyers, couples therapy, therapy for burnout, and therapy for teenagers. We serve many people in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Los Angeles, as well as throughout California and Florida. Our team is anti-racist, body positive, LGBT and trans affirming and sex positive. You deserve to feel good!