EMDR THERAPY IN AGOURA HILLS & ACROSS CA
Loosen your past’s grip on the present. Feel like you again.
Talking may have helped you make sense of what happened, but it didn’t make it easier to live with.
You feel like you’ve already done “the work” by going to therapy, but it seems no amount of talking ever translates to feeling better. You still find yourself reacting in ways that don’t entirely line up with what’s happening presently, getting overwhelmed with intense emotions, or suddenly going into fight or flight mode even when things around you are calm. This has led you to avoid certain situations or constantly be on edge, and it feels like you’re missing out on actually living as a result. You think you “should” be over it by now, but can’t seem to logic your way around the pit in your stomach and the tightness in your chest.
EMDR GIVES YOU A PATH BACK TO FULLY LIVING IN THE PRESENT.
EMDR CAN HELP WITH…
Traumatic experiences—like birth trauma, assault, growing up in a dysfunctional family, or experiencing abuse or trauma as a child
Panic attacks or anxiety that impacts your ability to function
Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or images
Feeling stuck and unable to move forward since “THE THING” happened
Overwhelming sensations connected to past experiences that hijack your body
WHAT IS EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and at its core, it’s a way of helping your brain do what it’s meant to do—file away memories appropriately as “in the past.”
Often, when something happens that’s too much to process in the moment, that something doesn’t end up getting filed correctly. It stays in the “present” file, where it’s raw, easily triggered, and ready to fire at all times. Instead of just talking about the past, EMDR uses structured bilateral stimulation (through eye movements or tapping on parts of the body) to help your brain safely revisit those experiences and refile them in the past where they belong.
Sessions can be done in person or online. For some people, working through a single traumatic event may take as few as 6–12 sessions, while more complex or layered experiences often take longer. This work can be a focused treatment on its own or woven into longer-term therapy, depending on your individual needs.
HOW IT WORKS
A THOUGHTFUL, STRUCTURED APPROACH TO PUT YOU BACK IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT OF YOUR LIFE.
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Before we do any deeper work, we spend time getting a clear picture of your history, the struggles you’re currently facing, what’s gotten you through up to this point, and what kind of support you have outside of therapy. We won’t rush through this phase or go 0 to 60 into your trauma. We’re going to make sure your brakes work before we ever hit the gas, and you’ll feel well prepared by the time we get into the actual reprocessing sessions.
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Once you’re ready to start reprocessing, your therapist will actively guide the experience so you always know what to do and what’s coming next. You’ll engage in bilateral stimulation—usually through eye movements following a light bar, gentle tapping on your arms or chest, or tactile buzzers held in each hand—while bringing your attention to specific memories, thoughts, feelings, or sensations. You’re not expected to retell your story in detail or know what to focus on. Your therapist will cue you, check in after each set, and adjust the pace as needed.
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As the work unfolds, many people notice that situations or memories that once felt overwhelming don’t impact them the same way anymore. You will still remember what happened, but it won’t take up as much space in your day-to-day life or give you that gut-wrenching feeling when you’re reminded of it. When you truly feel present in your life, you’re able to make choices from a more grounded place and have a greater sense of agency moving forward.
You are bigger than what happened to you.
Through EMDR Therapy, you can…
Feel less overwhelmed by panic, intrusive images or memories, and sudden emotional spikes
Have the space to respond rather than react in your day-to-day life
Understand that your body and mind’s responses were adaptive and protective, not you being “dramatic”
Expand your capacity to engage in things that may have felt too overwhelming before—like driving, dating, or leaving your home
Recognize what you’ve been through as a part of your life story without feeling like it defines you
you’re not alone.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO KEEP LIVING IN FIGHT OR FLIGHT.
Questions?
FAQs
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EMDR can be helpful for people who have experienced trauma, including birth trauma, assault, accidents, or ongoing relationship issues that have had lasting effects. It’s often a good option when talk therapy hasn’t led to feeling any better.
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Your therapist guides you step by step through the process, including what to focus on and when. Bilateral stimulation is used in short rounds, with check-ins throughout. You don’t need to know what to do or how to do it—you’ll have guidance the entire time.
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Some single-event traumas can be addressed in a relatively short number of sessions, often 6–12. More complex or layered trauma may take longer. The timeline depends on your history, goals, and what comes up along the way.
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The goal isn’t to retraumatize you or flood you with memories. We’ll pace this work carefully, and spend a lot of time making sure you feel supported and grounded before any reprocessing begins. You won’t have to talk about what you went through in detail or retell your story over and over. Often, we focus more on what you’re noticing internally than on giving a full narrative. You stay present and in control throughout the whole time.
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Most people notice that memories or triggers feel less intense over time. You may still have memories of what happened, but it doesn’t affect your body or take over your mood in the same way. Things that once felt difficult to face often start to feel lighter and more manageable.
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Yes—we do Brainspotting too. We sometimes describe it as EMDR’s laid back cousin from Malibu. They’re closely related, and both are designed to help your brain process experiences that got stuck because they were too much at the time. EMDR is a bit more structured and rhythmic, using eye movements or tapping to help the brain reprocess what happened. Brainspotting is slower and more intuitive—it involves finding a spot in your visual field that seems to connect to what you’re feeling and letting the process unfold from there. Some people love the predictability of EMDR, others really click with the more organic feel of Brainspotting. You don’t need to know which one is “right” going in. We’ll pay attention to how you respond and choose what fits you best—or blend approaches as we go.
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