Service
Healing the Nervous System: EMDR and Somatic Support
If you have previously engaged in EMDR without the results you hoped for, it is often because the process was not fully explained or tailored to your specific nervous system. EMDR is a precise, structured protocol, and understanding the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind it is essential to feeling safe and in control. We will ensure you have a clear roadmap so you know exactly what to expect at every stage.
Bilateral stimulation – whether through eye movements, taps, or sounds – is a way of engaging both sides of the brain to help process difficult memories. While the exact mechanism is still being studied, the result is consistent: the memory remains, but the intense, automatic physiological ‘charge’ attached to it begins to fade. It is a natural, grounded process that helps your brain reorganize how it stores past experiences.
My approach is built on full transparency. Before we begin, we will discuss the nature of trauma processing. Because this work involves revisiting past experiences, it can sometimes feel emotionally demanding. My role is to help you pace this work so that you remain within your ‘window of tolerance,’ ensuring you never feel overwhelmed or out of control.
We often begin with the Flash Technique, a gentle and highly effective method that allows us to lower the intensity of a memory without requiring you to focus on the most distressing details. It is a manageable, low-pressure way to build momentum and gain confidence in the process before we move toward more intensive work.
Trauma is not just a memory; it is a physical experience. In our sessions, we pay close attention to how your body reacts – noticing changes in your breathing, posture, or tension. By slowing down and acknowledging these physical shifts, we help your nervous system ‘settle’ in real-time. This ensures that you don’t leave the session carrying the weight of what we’ve discussed.
Over time, the goal is for memories to stop ‘setting the terms’ for your day. We are working toward a place where you can recall an event, acknowledge it as a memory, and remain grounded in the present. When clients reach this point, they often tell me it’s the first time they have felt truly understood in therapy. I attribute that to the clarity of our process – when you understand exactly how and why we are working, you are free to focus entirely on your own healing.
In this practice, your consent is the foundation of every session. We begin with small, manageable suggestions and move toward more intensive protocols only when you are ready. ‘Not today’ is a complete sentence, and it will always be respected.
The discovery call is the perfect place to start this dialogue. You can ask me anything: how eye movements work, what the Flash Technique feels like, or how we manage difficult emotions. This 15-minute conversation is free, no-pressure, and entirely up to you. You can reach me at (612) 234-1265 to schedule your time.
No confusing forms, no stressful phone calls you have to script in advance. Reach out however feels easiest.