EMDR Therapy
EMDR is a scientifically proven approach that helps your brain actually heal from trauma. If you’re ready to move beyond coping and into genuine healing, EMDR offers a path to lasting relief.
EMDR isn’t just talk therapy
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We gather information about your trauma history, identify specific memories to target, and create a personalized treatment plan. This helps us understand what you’ve been through and develop a roadmap for your healing.
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You learn about how EMDR works and practice self-soothing techniques to manage difficult emotions. We ensure you feel safe and equipped with coping tools before beginning trauma processing, building a foundation of stability.
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We identify the specific traumatic memory to process, along with the negative belief about yourself connected to it (like “I’m not safe” or “I’m powerless”). We also identify the positive belief you’d like to have instead and measure how disturbing the memory currently feels.
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This is the core processing phase. Using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds), we help your brain reprocess the traumatic memory. The memory becomes less emotionally charged as your brain integrates the experience in a healthier way.
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We strengthen the positive belief you want to hold about yourself. Through continued bilateral stimulation, we help your brain fully integrate this new, healthier perspective about yourself and the traumatic experience.
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We check for any remaining physical tension or discomfort related to the memory. If your body is still holding stress from the trauma, we continue processing until you feel calm and neutral when thinking about the event.
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Each session ends with grounding techniques to help you feel calm and stable before leaving. You’ll use the self-soothing skills from Phase 2 and know what to expect between sessions as your brain continues processing.
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At the start of each new session, we check how you’re doing and whether the previous work has held. We assess your progress, address any new material that’s surfaced, and determine next steps in your treatment.
EMDR is for you if:
You want to heal trauma, not just talk about it
You’re looking for evidence-based treatment with proven effectiveness
You’re ready for transformation, not just management
You have been in therapy before and struggled to find the progress you were looking for
We understand the importance of finding a therapist who is a good fit for you.
Reach out to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
Learn More about EMDR
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. That’s a big name, but here’s what it really means: it’s a special kind of therapy that helps your brain heal from scary or upsetting memories.
Think of your brain like a filing cabinet. When something really good happens, your brain files it away nicely. But when something scary or sad happens, sometimes your brain gets confused and doesn’t file it properly. It’s like that memory gets stuck, and it keeps bothering you even though the bad thing is over.
EMDR helps your brain finish the filing job so those memories don’t hurt as much anymore.
How Does Reprocessing a Memory Work?
During memory reprocessing, you’ll sit with your therapist and think about the upsetting memory while doing something simple with your eyes or hands. Your therapist might:
Move their finger back and forth while you follow it with your eyes (like watching a slow tennis match).
Give you buzzers to hold that vibrate gently in your hands, one side then the other,
Play sounds that alternate between your left and right ear.
This might sound strange, but here’s the cool part: while you’re doing this, your brain starts working on that stuck memory. It’s like giving your brain a little nudge to say, “Hey, you can finish filing this now.”
EMDR is More Than Memory Work
A lot of people think EMDR is only about processing difficult memories, but that’s just one part. EMDR is really about building you up with the tools, skills, and understanding you need to heal.
Before we ever work on hard memories, we spend time helping you build inner strength and calming skills. We help you understand how trauma affects your brain and body, teach you how to manage overwhelming emotions, and create safe mental spaces you can return to whenever you need them.
Think of it like preparing for a hike. You wouldn’t head up a mountain without the right gear, a map, and knowing how to use them. EMDR works the same way. We make sure you have everything you need before we start the climb. By the time therapy is complete, you’ll have processed difficult experiences and gained lasting skills for handling whatever life brings.
Expert Mental Health Therapy in Westerville, Ohio and Online
Whether you prefer to meet in person or online, our goal is the same: to create a space where you feel safe, comfortable, and supported.
In-Person
You’ll find cozy seating, warm lighting, and thoughtful touches to help you feel at ease from the moment you walk in.
Email: info@storywellcounseling.com
Phone: (614) 300-7043
Address: 190 S. State St. Suite A, Westerville, OH 43081
Parking & Accessibility
Ample free parking is available on site.
Easily accessible with no stairs, ensuring a comfortable visit for all clients.
Telehealth
We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual sessions for clients who prefer the convenience and privacy of meeting from home. Whether you’re juggling a busy schedule or simply feel more comfortable in your own space, telehealth makes it easy to connect, heal, and grow—no matter where you are.
Details
Platform: Therapy Notes
Privacy & Security: All virtual sessions are conducted using a secure, HIPAA—compliant platform to ensure your privacy and confidentiality.
Technology Requirements: A stable internet connection, a quiet space, and a device with a camera and microphone.
How it Works
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Step 1: Connect With Us
Choose the therapist whose specialties resonate with what you’re going through, or reach out for a free 15 minute consultation call and we’ll help you find the right fit. 614-300-7043
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Step 2: Share Your Story
In your first session, we’ll take time to understand what brings you here, what you’re hoping for, and what matters most to you. This is your space to be heard and to ask any questions you have about therapy and how we work together.
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Step 3: Move Forward Together
From there, we walk alongside you using approaches tailored to your unique needs and goals. Therapy is a collaboration, you bring your story and your courage, and we bring expertise, compassion, and tools to help you find your way forward.
Frequently Asked Questions about EMDR
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime for a free 15-minute consultation.
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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps you heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. During EMDR, you’ll focus on traumatic memories while following bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds). This process helps your brain naturally reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional intensity. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require you to discuss your trauma in detail. Instead, it focuses on changing the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that result from distressing experiences.
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The length of EMDR treatment varies based on your individual situation. Single-incident traumas (like a car accident or assault) may be processed in 3-6 sessions. Complex trauma or multiple traumatic experiences typically require more sessions. Most people notice some relief within the first few sessions. Your EMDR therapist will work with you to create a personalized treatment timeline based on your specific needs and goals.
If you want to experience accelerated healing, check out our EMDR Intensive Therapy options.
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Yes, EMDR is recognized as a highly effective treatment for PTSD and trauma. It’s endorsed by the World Health Organization, the American Psychiatric Association, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense as a best practice for treating PTSD. EMDR can help with various types of trauma including childhood abuse, accidents, combat experiences, sexual assault, and other distressing life events.
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Your first EMDR sessions focus on preparation and assessment, not memory reprocessing. Your therapist will take your history, explain how EMDR works, and teach you coping skills to manage strong emotions. You’ll also work on “resourcing” - developing calm, safe feelings through guided imagery and bilateral stimulation. Only after you feel prepared and safe will you begin processing traumatic memories. This preparation phase is crucial and may take several sessions to ensure you’re ready.
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EMDR therapy can be effectively conducted online through secure video platforms. Online EMDR uses the same bilateral stimulation techniques, you can follow your therapist’s hand movements on screen, use self-tapping techniques, or listen to alternating audio tones through headphones. Research shows online EMDR is just as effective as in-person sessions. At Storywell Counseling, we offer both in-person EMDR in our Westerville, OH office and secure telehealth sessions for clients throughout Ohio.
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While EMDR is best known for treating PTSD, it’s also effective for anxiety, panic attacks, depression, phobias, complicated grief, chronic pain, performance anxiety, and disturbing memories. EMDR can help with both “Big T” traumas (major events like accidents or assault) and “Little t” traumas (experiences like childhood neglect, bullying, or emotional abuse that accumulate over time). It’s particularly helpful when you feel stuck emotionally or when talking about your experiences feels too difficult.
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This is totally up to you! Some people prefer keeping their eyes open and some prefer eyes shut.
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No. The memory will still be there, but it won’t bother you as much. It’s like the difference between touching a hot stove (ouch!) and remembering you once touched a hot stove (just a memory).