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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)
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.
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.
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.
Rejection Sensitivity vs. Trauma Triggers: How to Tell the Difference (and Why It Matters for Treatment)
Rejection sensitivity is an intense, often rapid emotional response to perceived rejection, criticism, or disapproval. It is frequently cognitive and relational in origin, rooted in attachment patterns, perfectionism, or ADHD.
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.
Reflections on the LA Marathon from a Trauma Therapist
The taiko drums start before 7am, though it feels more like 6am thanks to Daylight Savings. Soon after the drums, amplified music kicks in. Then come the news helicopters.
Living one block off the LA Marathon race route, I look forward to it every year.
And every year, I’m overwhelmed by the emotional beauty and complexity of watching the LA Marathon experience.
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.
What Else Can EMDR Therapy Be Used For Besides Trauma?
When most people hear about EMDR therapy, they think of trauma recovery, and for good reason. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) was originally developed to treat PTSD and has decades of research supporting its effectiveness in healing trauma. But that’s not all EMDR can do.
Why EMDR Therapy Works So Well for Teenagers
We’ve seen something remarkable in our work offering therapy for teenagers: many of them respond to EMDR therapy incredibly quickly. We call clients whose brains seem to rapidly make sense of and heal from difficult experiences during EMDR therapy "super-processors." And teens seem to do this at higher rates than older therapy-goers.
Why Do Some People Recover From Trauma Quickly And Others Don't?
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to bounce back from upsetting things while others take longer? The ability to bounce back is called resilience. Resilience, the hidden strength within us, plays a big part in how we recover from tough stuff. But what exactly is it? And how can you develop more of it?
Why Is My Trauma Showing Up Now?
It's entirely possible (and common) for trauma symptoms to appear long after the event occurred. In fact, delayed PTSD is a well-documented response.
Here's why trauma can show up later, what might trigger it, and how working with a trauma therapist—especially one trained in EMDR therapy—can help you find lasting relief and healing.
Will EMDR Therapy Be Too Intense for Me?
EMDR therapy should be adapted to fit your comfort level. A skilled EMDR therapist will always prioritize your safety and well-being. Here’s how EMDR therapy can be made manageable and safe, even if you’re feeling apprehensive.
How to Identify Trauma: The Mind-Body Gap
Have you ever felt like there's a disconnect between what you logically know is true and what your body believes? This is a common experience for trauma survivors. Trauma is as diverse as the people who experience it, making a common definition difficult, but when there's an inconsistency between what you logically know is true and the signals your body is sending, that's a clue you've got trauma.
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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!