EMDR therapy

When talking about it isn't enough, EMDR helps your brain do the rest.

 
Lianna Purjes's profile on the Gottman Referral Network

EMDR therapy is an evidence-based approach to processing traumatic memories and the negative beliefs that formed because of them. If you're replaying events in your mind, getting triggered by reminders of the past, or stuck with beliefs like "I'm not good enough" or "It was my fault," EMDR can help your brain reprocess these memories so they stop running your life.

I'm Lianna, and I offer EMDR therapy at Fuzzy Socks Therapy in Scottsdale, AZ and online throughout Arizona, Colorado, and Florida. I've watched EMDR help people who struggled for years finally experience real relief. Not by erasing memories, but by changing how those memories are stored and experienced.

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How EMDR Actually Works

When something traumatic happens, your brain can get stuck. The memory doesn't get filed away properly. Instead of being something that happened in the past, it stays "live." Emotionally charged. Easily triggered. Connected to negative beliefs about yourself.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements, sometimes tapping or sounds) to help your brain do what it was trying to do all along: process the memory and store it correctly. This mimics what happens during REM sleep when your brain naturally processes experiences.

During EMDR, you'll briefly focus on a memory while following my fingers with your eyes. You don't have to describe it in detail. You just hold it in mind while your brain does its work. The memory becomes less intense. The negative beliefs weaken. You start to see things differently.

Here's what surprises people: you'll still remember what happened. The memory doesn't disappear. But it loses its charge. It becomes something that happened, not something that's happening right now every time you think about it.

Who Benefits From EMDR

You might benefit from EMDR if:

You've experienced trauma, whether a single event or ongoing experiences like childhood neglect or growing up in a dysfunctional family.

You have intrusive memories or flashbacks.

You get triggered by things that remind you of past experiences.

You're stuck with negative beliefs about yourself that seem rooted in the past.

Talk therapy helped you understand things intellectually, but you still feel stuck emotionally.

You're neurodivergent and have experienced trauma. Many of my clients are neurodivergent, and EMDR can be adapted to work with different neurological profiles.

What to Expect

EMDR follows a structured protocol, but we adapt it to fit you.

First, we do history and treatment planning. We identify the memories and beliefs that are good targets for processing.

Then comes preparation. I teach you techniques for managing distress and staying grounded. We won't start processing until you feel ready.

During processing sessions, you'll focus on target memories while experiencing bilateral stimulation. I guide you through, checking in to see what's coming up. Each session ends with making sure you feel stable before you leave.

Processing sessions typically run 60 to 90 minutes. How many you need depends on what we're working on. Single incidents might resolve in a few sessions. Complex trauma takes longer.

EMDR for Kids and Teens

Kids experience trauma too. For children, EMDR incorporates play, storytelling, and creative activities. They don't need to describe their experiences in detail. We work with images, feelings, and metaphors that make sense to them.

For teens, I adapt based on their maturity and preferences. Some engage like adults; others benefit from modifications.

Getting Started

The first step is a free consultation. We'll talk about what's going on and whether EMDR seems like a good fit. Book it through my online scheduling system.

For pricing and scheduling info, visit my FAQs & Rates page or contact me directly.

I offer EMDR therapy in-person in Scottsdale, AZ and online in Arizona, Colorado, and Florida. Visit my locations page for details.

Location:

Scottdale, AZ

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FAQs: Common Questions About EMDR Therapy

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  • Processing sessions typically run 60 to 90 minutes. The longer time allows space to work through material and ensure you feel grounded before leaving.

  • For a single incident, some people see improvement in three to six sessions. Complex trauma takes longer, often several months. We'll track progress and adjust as needed.

  • No. EMDR doesn't erase memories. You'll still remember what happened, but it will feel different. Less charged. More like something in the past.

  • Yes. You don't need clear, detailed memories for it to work. Processing can happen through emotions, body sensations, and beliefs connected to early experiences.

  • Research shows it can help with anxiety, phobias, grief, and negative beliefs affecting self-esteem and relationships. If your past is affecting your present, EMDR might help.

  • Feeling stirred up after processing difficult material is normal. It usually settles within a day or two. We build in time for grounding at the end of each session.

  • Yes. Virtual EMDR is effective and well-researched. You might follow a dot on screen or use self-tapping instead of following my fingers.

  • Talk therapy processes experiences through conversation and insight. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to reprocess memories at a neurological level. Many people find EMDR creates shifts that talk therapy alone couldn't.

  • Yes. It can be adapted using play and creative activities. Kids don't need to describe trauma in detail for it to work.

  • Come as you are. The first session is about assessment and building rapport. We won't start processing until you're ready and have the tools you need.