EMDR Therapy in Iowa City

Heal From Trauma, PTSD, and Anxiety

Is This You? The Weight of Unprocessed Trauma

You can't stop replaying it: A moment from your past, an accident, an assault, or a loss plays over and over in your mind. Your body tenses when a sound, a smell, or a face reminds you of it. You jump at sudden noises. You feel frozen or flooded with panic. The memory won't fade. It's as if your brain got stuck processing what happened, and no amount of talking about it seems to unstick it.

Maybe the trauma happened years ago, but it still feels fresh. Maybe it was a single incident or years of hurt. Either way, you're ready for it to stop running your life.

Clients who come through my door often say the same thing: the memory is as vivid now as it was when it happened. Time hasn't faded it. SAFE EMDR changes that.

How EMDR Works

EMDR is based on a simple truth: your brain is designed to heal, just like your body is. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. But if something blocks that process (infection, irritation), the wound festers. Your brain works the same way.

EMDR activates your brain's natural healing processes. Here's what happens in session:

I can help you identify a traumatic memory that's stuck. You bring that memory to mind (just holding it lightly; you don't have to relive it). EMDR uses bilateral stimulation: alternating left-right eye movements, taps, or tones used to help the brain process traumatic memories. Research suggests this works by reducing the emotional intensity of distressing memories while you recall them, and by mimicking the brain's natural memory-processing that occurs during REM sleep. The result is that painful memories lose their charge and become integrated into your life story in a way that no longer feels overwhelming.

As this happens, something shifts. Spontaneous associations begin to arise. You might remember something else, or the emotional charge around the memory begins to change. Your brain starts processing and linking the painful memory with new, healthier associations. Over time, the trauma shifts from "This defines me" to "This happened to me, and I survived it."

You don't have to talk about every detail. Your brain does the work. Many people are surprised by how fast change happens, and by how experiential the EMDR process is.

The Research Speaks for Itself

EMDR isn't new or untested. It's one of the most researched therapy approaches for trauma, with strong clinical evidence:

• Proven effectiveness: EMDR has strong research support for trauma and PTSD treatment. The approach is recognized and recommended across peer-reviewed literature and clinical practice guidelines.

• Single-trauma PTSD: EMDR shows significant effectiveness for processing single-trauma events. Many people experience substantial symptom reduction within a concentrated number of sessions.

• Combat-related PTSD: EMDR is endorsed for military-related trauma by the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines. See U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs guidelines for more information.

• Clinical endorsement: EMDR is officially recognized as an evidence-based treatment by:

  • American Psychiatric Association (APA)

  • World Health Organization (WHO)

  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs / Department of Defense

  • International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD)

What Happens After EMDR: Your New Life

After processing your trauma with EMDR, the memory doesn't vanish, but it stops having power over you. You can think about what happened without your nervous system spiraling out of control. You feel calmer. More present. More yourself. The hypervigilance eases. Sleep becomes possible again. Your relationships build over time because you're not constantly braced for the next threat. You move from surviving the memories to simply remembering them as another moment in time like every other memory.

People often describe:

• Nightmares and flashbacks decreasing or stopping

• Sleep improving significantly

• Panic and anxiety settling down

• Relationships getting easier

• A quiet sense of resolution: the event is in the past where it belongs

• Confidence and resilience returning

What to Expect in Your First EMDR Session

We start slowly. Safety matters before we process anything. Here's how the first session typically goes:

1. History and Assessment (20-30 minutes): We talk about what brought you in. We discuss your trauma history (a very brief overview). We assess whether EMDR is the right fit for you.

2. Safety Planning (10-15 minutes): Before we process trauma, we make sure you have tools to manage intense emotions. I teach you grounding techniques and calming strategies you can use between sessions.

3. Target Identification (10-15 minutes): We identify which memory or traumatic event to work with first. Usually, we start with a single incident that feels most pressing.

4. Processing Introduction (remaining time): I explain how the bilateral stimulation/processing works. We might do a brief practice session so you feel comfortable with the whole process.

You control the pace. If at any point you need to slow down or take a break, we pause, and we regulate what we need to. This is your therapy.

Subsequent sessions typically include:

• Brief check-ins on how you've been since last week

• Processing the targeted memory using bilateral stimulation

• Integration and closure (helping you settle your nervous system down before going home)

• Planning for between-session management

Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR

Q: Will I have to relive the trauma?

A: No. You'll hold the memory in mind, but you don't have to go into detail or relive it fully. Many people are surprised by how contained the process feels. I will guide you through the intensity, and you are always in the driver’s seat on how fast or slow we go.

Q: How many sessions will I need?

A: This varies. For a single trauma, many people see significant results in 3 to 12 sessions. Complex trauma or multiple traumas may take longer. We'll assess progress and adjust the plan as needed over time.

Q: Is EMDR safe?

A: Yes. EMDR is FDA-cleared and has decades of research supporting its safety and efficacy. That said, processing trauma can bring up intense emotions temporarily. We build in safety and resourcing skills to manage this intensity.

Q: What if I start to feel overwhelmed during the session?

A: We will pause the bilateral stimulation immediately. We use grounding techniques to bring you back to the present moment, and contain what we need to. You're in control.

Q: Can I do EMDR via telehealth?

A: Yes. EMDR can be done effectively online. We use eye movement, tapping on your knees or shoulders, or audio tones that work equally well remotely.

Q: Will the memory go away completely?

A: The memory may remain, but the emotional charge around it dissolves. You may remember what happened, but thinking about it won't trigger panic or dysregulation. It becomes just another memory, not an active threat.

Ready to Heal From Trauma?

If you are ready to move your trauma from the force that runs your life to mere memories of times where you survived and endured, EMDR can help you out. You never have to carry this alone. Feel free to reach out when you are ready to share what you have been experiencing. I am ready to listen, help, and create a plan for you that feels safe, empowering, and to get your nervous system heading in a healthier direction.

To learn more about my process, or to get a greater idea about what to expect during therapy, take a look at our therapy process!

Ready to take the first step? I offer a free 20-minute consultation, no commitment required. We'll talk about what you're dealing with and whether working together feels like the right fit.