Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapist in St. George, UT
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy technique that aims to reduce the distress caused by traumatic memories. EMDR’s purpose is to assist you in recovering from trauma or other difficult life situations. Our team of experienced professionals provides eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in St. George, UT. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1173 S 250 W Suite 501 St. George, UT 84770.


Table of Contents:
How does eye movement desensitization and reprocessing work?
What does a therapist do during EMDR?
How long does it take for EMDR to work?
How often should EMDR be done?
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a unique form of psychotherapy that can help people heal from the emotional distress resulting from traumatic experiences. When you come in for your first EMDR session, your therapist will go over your history and conduct an assessment. In this session, the therapist will explain the treatment in detail as well as introduce you to some of the procedures and eye movements.
EMDR relies on a theory developed by Francine Shapiro that explains how the brain stores memories, known as the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. The AIP model recognizes that the brain stores traumatic and regular memories in different ways. Often, the brain stores traumatic memories in a way that does not facilitate healthy healing.
When you undergo EMDR, you can access traumatic memories and reprocess them to heal from them and stop feeling like you are constantly reliving them. This treatment is effective for addressing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders, eating disorders, and personality disorders, among other mental health conditions.
There are several stages of EMDR:
• History-taking and treatment planning – The therapist will gather information about past traumas and current symptoms to develop a treatment plan during this stage.
• Preparation – Before beginning the treatment, the therapist will ensure that you are adequately prepared to handle emotional distress. This involves going over grounding techniques and mindfulness strategies.
• Assessment – In this stage, the therapist will assist you in selecting a memory to reprocess. They will help you identify imagery, emotions, and negative beliefs associated with the memory.
• Desensitization – During desensitization, the therapist will help you focus on the memory while introducing bilateral stimulation (BLS). The therapist will observe your reactions and continue the process until the memory is no longer distressing to you.
• Installation – This phase installs positive cognition in connection with the memory through BLS to enhance the positive change initiated in the previous phase.
• Body scan – After reinforcing the positive belief, the therapist will ask you to mentally scan your body for any residual physical sensations linked to the memory. Any negative sensations will be targeted for further processing.
• Closure – The therapist will conclude the session by reviewing your progress and providing you with calming techniques to allow you to feel stable before leaving the session.
• Re-evaluation – At the start of the next session, the therapist will review the progress made to determine if the previously targeted memory needs more attention or if another memory should be focused on.
Your EMDR therapist will be there at each stage of the treatment to help you navigate the process as well as provide support on your journey to healing.
The length of time EMDR takes to work can vary widely from person to person, depending largely on the nature of the trauma and how each individual responds to treatment. For some, significant relief comes quickly, and they notice improvements after only three sessions. However, for those dealing with more complex or severe trauma, the process may take longer, as it takes time to thoroughly work through and reprocess the traumatic memories. On average, six to twelve sessions are needed to achieve healing. The therapist will tailor your treatment plan to ensure it aligns with your unique needs.
Typically, EMDR sessions are recommended one to two times per week. However, some people benefit from fewer or more frequent sessions. Your therapist will closely monitor several factors, including the intensity of your trauma and how you’re responding to treatment, to tailor the frequency of your sessions accordingly. This personalized approach ensures that the therapy is effective for you. If needed, sessions can be conducted on consecutive days. To learn more about this approach and whether it is right for you, contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Riverdale UT, Washington Terrace UT, Clinton UT, Kaysville UT, Clearfield UT, Farmington UT, Draper UT, Riverton UT, Sandy UT, St. George UT, Bloomington UT, Santa Clara, UT, and surrounding areas.


Additional Services You May Need
▸ Relationship Counselling
▸ Couples Counselling
▸ Individual Therapy
▸ EMDR Therapy
▸ Spiritual Healing
▸ Disordered Eating
▸ LGBTQIA+ Therapy
▸ Group Psychotherapy
▸ Life Coaching Therapist
▸ Depression Treatment
▸ Mental Health Clinic
▸ Life Transition Therapy
▸ Telehealth Counseling
▸ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
▸ Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT)