EMDR Therapy for Trauma & More

Gentle, trauma-informed EMDR therapy for adults in California

EMDR therapy bilateral stimulation california online

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), developed by Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., is a research-supported therapy that gently supports the brain in reprocessing distressing experiences.

Rather than reliving or retelling trauma in detail, EMDR helps reduce emotional charge, restore a sense of safety, and strengthen inner resilience.

This allows healing to unfold in a steady, grounded way.

EMDR isn’t just for treating trauma

Trauma Resolution: Find relief from the emotional weight of past traumas.

Anxiety and Stress Reduction: Learn strategies to manage and reduce anxiety.

C-PTSD and PTSD Treatment: Overcome PTSD and reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD.

Depression: Discover inner peace and emotional resilience.

Personal Growth: Unlock your potential and create positive change.

Headshot of Andi Cabello, LMFT

EMDR in practice

During an EMDR session, a trained therapist guides the client through recalling distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. This process helps reduce the emotional intensity of the memories and allows the brain to reprocess them in a more adaptive way.

Clients begin by discussing their history and identifying key traumatic events or distressing memories. The therapist then prepares the client for the process, teaching relaxation techniques and establishing a sense of safety. As the treatment progresses, clients focus on specific memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation. Over time, this helps them integrate the memory without being overwhelmed by it, leading to reduced trauma symptoms such as anxiety, nightmares, or flashbacks.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require clients to go into detail about the traumatic events, making it a powerful option for those who may struggle with verbalizing their experiences. The goal of EMDR is to help clients achieve emotional healing, allowing them to move forward with greater peace and resilience.

Curious about EMDR? Listen to how it works and why it helps.

Andi Cabello is a therapist specializing in anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues. She is also a big fan of EMDR. Nope, not the techno beats but Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an approach that inspired her years ago to pursue a career in therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Not necessarily.

    One reason many people are drawn to EMDR is that it does not require you to repeatedly retell every detail of a painful experience. While we'll spend time understanding your history and experiences, much of the processing occurs internally.

  • No. While EMDR is widely known for treating trauma and PTSD, it can also be helpful for experiences that may not fit the traditional definition of trauma. Relationship wounds, chronic criticism, bullying, medical experiences, grief, difficult life transitions, and other emotionally impactful events can all contribute to patterns that EMDR may help address.

  • The answer depends on your goals, history, and the concerns you're bringing to therapy.

    Some people seek EMDR to address a specific event, while others are working through long-standing patterns related to childhood experiences, attachment wounds, or complex trauma. Together, we'll regularly assess your progress and determine what feels most supportive.

  • That's completely okay.

    You do not need to remember every detail of an experience for EMDR to be effective. Therapy can work with the memories, emotions, body sensations, and beliefs that are accessible to you now.

  • Yes.

    Research has shown that EMDR can be effectively adapted for telehealth. Many clients find online EMDR to be just as impactful as in-person therapy while offering the convenience and comfort of participating from home.