(720) 898-3208

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(720) 898-3208

Appointment

EMDR Therapy

IN ARVADA, CO

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EMDR Therapy

Leave the Past in the Past

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, which relies on analyzing the details of a traumatic event, EMDR focuses on the brain’s natural healing processes. By using bilateral stimulation (such as side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones), EMDR helps your brain “unlock” painful memories, process them, and store them safely in the past where they belong.

Start Healing Trauma
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The Evidence Base

EMDR is one of the most extensively researched treatments for trauma. It is recognized as an effective treatment by the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Psychiatric Association, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The science behind EMDR is the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. This theory posits that your brain has a natural system for processing experiences. When a trauma occurs, this system gets overwhelmed, and the memory gets “frozen” in its raw, emotional state. EMDR jumpstarts this stalled process, allowing the brain to finally process and store the memory.

Conditions We Treat with EMDR

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Childhood Trauma & Abuse

  • Panic Attacks & Phobias

  • First Responder & Combat Stress

  • Complicated Grief

  • Performance Anxiety

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What Can I Expect When I begin EMDR Treatment?

History & Treatment Planning ? 1–2 sessions (60 min each)

We review your history, current challenges, and therapy goals. Together, we identify targets for EMDR.
You can share as much or as little detail as you want. Even a “headline” memory is enough.

Preparation 1–2 sessions (60 min each)

We focus on safety and coping tools: grounding, calm-place imagery, and practicing bilateral stimulation. You’ll learn what to expect during EMDR.
Goal: You feel safe, supported, and in control.

Assessment ⏱ 15–20 minutes

We lightly “set the scene” with:

  • A snapshot or simple “label” of the event

  • Negative vs. positive belief

  • Distress rating (SUD 0–10)

  • Believability rating (VOC 1–7)

You don’t have to give details. Numbers or labels are enough.

Desensitization (Processing) 20–40 minutes

You briefly focus on the target while your therapist guides bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or tones). After each short set, you share what shifted.
You can say “lighter,” “same,” or “different”—no need to tell the story.
Processing often takes 2–6 sessions per target, depending on complexity.

Installation ⏱ 5–10 minutes

We strengthen the positive belief (e.g., “I am safe now”) with bilateral stimulation until it feels true and steady.

Body Scan ⏱ 5 minutes

You scan from head to toe to notice any leftover tension. If something shows up, we briefly process it until your body feels calm.

Closure ⏱ 5–10 minutes

At the end of every session, we make sure you leave grounded and calm—even if processing is unfinished.
You’ll never be sent home raw or destabilized.

Re-evaluation ⏱ 10–15 minutes

At the start of the next session, we check:

  • How does the memory feel now?

  • Is the positive belief holding?

  • Did anything new surface?

Then we decide on the next step together.