EMDR Therapy in-person in San Francisco and online throughout California
EMDR Therapy
(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence-backed therapy that uses eye movements to reprocess distressing memories.
When an experience is overwhelming or painful, the brain doesn't always fully process it. Instead, it can stay "stuck," and present-day moments set off the same emotions, body sensations, and beliefs as if the past were happening now.
In EMDR, you briefly turn your attention to a memory, belief, or body sensation while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, taps, or alternating tones. This helps your brain do what it's naturally designed to do: process the experience and file it away as something that happened, rather than something that's still happening.
EMDR isn't only for the big or distinct traumas. Many of my clients don't have one defining event. Instead, they carry the weight of years of subtle messages: that love was conditional on achievement, that mistakes weren't safe, that their needs were too much, or that they had to hide parts of themselves to belong. These experiences can shape our deepest beliefs just as powerfully.
Sound like you?
Despite your accomplishments, self-doubt lingers–you rarely feel good enough
You feel a near constant pressure to get everything right on the first try
You have a harsh inner critic that never cuts you a break
You’re constantly comparing yourself to others and coming up short
You overthink every decision, and often second guess your choices
You swing between procrastinating and overworking
You are quick to support others, but find it difficult to let others support you
You feel exhausted, burned out, and overwhelmed by life
These patterns reflect survival strategies you developed to gain approval or stay safe. But over time they can become exhausting and self-limiting, disconnecting you from ease, joy, and authenticity.
How it Works
EMDR is different from talk therapy–it follows a clear, 8 phase structure.
What working together would look like:
Phase 1: History taking
We will get to know each other, I will learn more about your history and current presenting issues, and then we’ll make a treatment plan.
Phase 2: Preparation
I’ll explain how EMDR works, what the process looks like, and work with you to establish some grounding resources.
Phase 3: Assessment
We will choose a memory (or cluster of memories) to target.
Phase 4-7: Desensitization & Reprocessing
We will begin using eye movements to reprocess old memories or beliefs and replace them with more adaptive beliefs.
Phase 8: Re-evaluation
We will evaluate our prior targets and continue with the treatment plan once those targets have been successfully reprocessed.
This process isn’t always as linear as it seems, and we will jump between phases at times. Some phases can take weeks, while others may take just one session. You are unique, and we will tailor the treatment plan to your needs.
“Everything you achieve in this life is just the clapping after the song. You are the song.”
— Katherine Morgan Schafler
Starting Therapy is easy
01.
Get in touch by filling out this quick form here.
02.
We’ll schedule a time to chat and make sure we’re a great fit.
03.
Start therapy and begin to explore a new way of being.
Hi, I’m Annie
I like to show up prepared, execute things well, and achieve the goals I set. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, and I like this about myself. But there is also a shadow side to these traits that left me feeling anxious, internally conflicted, and ultimately exhausted. I understand this struggle from the inside out. If you’re at a point in your life where you’re ready for something different, I’ve got you. Let’s explore how you can continue to work toward your ambitions with more energy, a greater sense of groundedness, and a clearer, more aligned vision.