EMDR Therapy in Arvada for Trauma and PTSD

Leave the Past in the Past

Discover your path to inner peace with 70 West Counseling. We provide specialized EMDR therapy in Arvada to help you move forward from the things that are holding you back.

How Does EMDR Therapy Work?

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.

Schedule an EMDR Consultation

Who Can Benefit from EMDR in Arvada?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Childhood Trauma & Abuse
Panic Attacks & Phobias
First Responder & Combat Stress
Complicated Grief
Performance Anxiety

The 8 Phases of EMDR Treatment

Phase 1: History & Treatment Planning

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.

Phase 2: Preparation

We focus on safety and coping tools: grounding, calm-place imagery, and practicing bilateral stimulation. Goal: You feel safe, supported, and in control.

Phase 3: Assessment

We lightly “set the scene” with a snapshot or label of the event, identifying the negative belief vs. the positive belief. You don’t have to give details; numbers or labels are enough.

Phase 4: Desensitization (Processing)

You briefly focus on the target while your therapist guides bilateral stimulation. After each short set, you share what shifted. You can say “lighter,” “same,” or “different”—no need to tell the story.

Phase 5: Installation

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

Phase 6: Body Scan

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

Phase 7: Closure

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.

Phase 8: Re-evaluation

At the start of the next session, we check how the memory feels now and if the positive belief is holding, then decide on the next step together.

Schedule an EMDR Session