Understanding EMDR Eye Movement Therapy
At Woven Wellness, we focus on building self-compassion and acceptance. It's this self-acceptance that lays the foundation for healthy relationships. But sometimes the weight of the past can lead us to believe this work is unattainable. That's why I use therapeutic modalities such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) to help individuals get unstuck and achieve personal growth. Personally, I think it's one way to help you return to who you were before the world told you who you had to be
While EMDR is an evidence-based approach most widely known for treating PTSD and other trauma-related issues, research has also proven EMDR to be highly effective in the treatment of other conditions such as anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, depression, grief, chronic pain, addictions, and performance anxiety. With these issues in mind, I believe our present-day struggles and reactions are often echoes of previous traumatic experiences and attachment injuries. These experiences ultimately shape how we interpret the world and how we feel about ourselves.
EMDR isn’t about deleting a memory; it’s about gently processing the experience so it no longer carries an overwhelming emotional charge. By moving the memory from a place of "active threat" to a place of "historical fact," you can finally stop surviving your past and start living in your present. It is about clearing the path back to your true self.
What To Expect During EMDR Sessions
During EMDR we seek to identify both negative and positive neural networks in the brain. Together, we begin targeting the negative neural network through a process called desensitisation. It is this desensitisation that helps you feel less reactive and debilitated by challenging experiences.
Desensitisation is the process of taking the "sting" out of a memory so your body can finally feel safe again.
Once desensitisation is complete, I focus on installation (the phase where we strengthen your connection to your internal resources). We work to enhance your existing capacity for resilience and self-compassion, enabling problem-solving abilities that once felt out of reach. In both phases of processing, I use the EMDR hallmark of back-and-forth eye movements (or other forms of bilateral left-right/left-right stimulation, such as tapping) to mimic REM sleep and induce organic brain-solving abilities. This stimulation replicates your body's natural way of providing repair and healing by updating memories to healthier, more adaptive perspectives
Why Work with an EMDR Trained Therapist
I believe you already possess the courage and capacity for change; I am simply here to share tools and walk the road with you. As an EMDR-trained clinician, I focus on the brain's ability to continually learn and adapt. I help you overcome the interference of unseen pain so you can let go of what no longer serves you.
Through a relational and trauma-informed lens, I help you organize your feelings and thoughts. Then, I use bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, etc.) to help you weave your past and present into a story of empowerment.
Ready to Reclaim Your Core Identity?
If you’ve felt disconnected from your own body or stuck in cycles of reaction, know that love changes things—especially the love you show yourself by seeking new ways of existing and behaving in the world. You don't have to walk this hard road alone. Together, we can use these integrated tools to help you feel safe, connected, and truly "at home" in your own skin again.