EMDR Therapy

What Is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach designed to help the brain process experiences that remain emotionally “stuck.” Unlike some talk-based trauma therapies, EMDR does not require sharing a detailed trauma narrative or completing extensive homework between sessions.

EMDR works at the level of the nervous system, helping the brain integrate distressing experiences so they can be remembered without being re-lived. Over time, EMDR may support improved emotional regulation, more adaptive beliefs about yourself and the world, and increased resilience.

EMDR is not hypnosis, and you remain in control throughout the process. It is also not a quick fix or a substitute for a therapeutic relationship. EMDR is one tool within a broader psychotherapy process that emphasizes safety, collaboration, and integration. Not everyone needs EMDR, and it may not be appropriate at every stage of therapy. Some people can participate in EMDR virtually while others benefit from in-person care, which is why I have a hybrid practice. We can discuss together whether and when EMDR may be helpful for you.

I am EMDR certified through EMDRIA. I integrate EMDR with insight-oriented and depth psychology–informed therapy, attachment theory, and practical coping strategies as needed. You can read more about how I integrate attachment theory into my work here.

First Things First: Resourcing and Treatment Planning

Trauma therapy and EMDR can be challenging at times, which is why we often begin by strengthening coping skills that can be useful both in and outside of sessions. In traditional EMDR, this phase, called resourcing, often includes guided visualizations to support a sense of safety, calm, or containment (such as learning how to mentally “set aside” trauma material when it’s not helpful for it to be active).

For people with complex trauma, dissociation, or strong emotions, it can be helpful to take a more flexible and individualized approach to resourcing. Together, we may explore a range of options, including visualizations of protective or nurturing figures, inner guides, or supportive internal states.

Other forms of resourcing may include orienting to present-moment safety (noticing details in your surroundings and reminding yourself that you are safe now), as well as somatic practices such as paced breathing, body scans, or grounding through the senses.

I typically approach treatment planning in two phases. The first occurs during the consultation and intake, when we discuss your goals for therapy without going into trauma details. The second takes place after resourcing is well established and we are preparing to begin EMDR.

Together, we consider what feels most important in your life right now and how you would like to respond differently in the future. We then identify memories that may be connected to your current concerns and thoughtfully decide where to begin and why. Even when a specific traumatic event brings someone to therapy, it can sometimes be helpful to start reprocessing with a different, related memory.

Trauma Reprocessing and Tracking Progress

Trauma reprocessing in EMDR involves working with several interconnected aspects of memory, including:

• Emotional intensity (often measured using a 0–10 scale)
• Negative beliefs about yourself or the world (such as “I am unsafe” or “Something is wrong with me”)
• Body sensations (the physical or felt responses associated with the memory)

EMDR can be used to address past experiences, present-day triggers, and future situations. Some clients find it helpful to work with future-oriented targets, such as imagining responding differently when a familiar trigger arises.

I adapt the standard EMDR protocol when needed to make the process more effective and less overwhelming for individuals with complex trauma, attachment wounds, or dissociation. Common adaptations may include working with the inner world through parts-based or ego state interventions, or using restricted reprocessing, which involves focusing on small, contained portions of a memory at a time and reducing free associations to other memories.

We track progress by noticing changes in emotional intensity, shifts toward more adaptive beliefs, improvements in emotion regulation, and changes in body-based responses. Over time, many clients experience greater flexibility, relief, and a sense of integration.

Reach out today to schedule a free 15 to 30 minute consultation: Let’s see if we’re a good fit! Email me with your availability and we can find a time to connect at kristen@kristenhornung.com or call me at (619) 202-1481

Have questions about logistics? Check out my FAQ page.