Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

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Albuquerque, RIO RANCH, LOS LUNAS EMDR Therapy

You don’t have to relive the trauma to heal from it.

What is EMDR Therapy and how does it work?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly effective psychotherapy approach designed to help people heal from traumatic or distressing life experiences. EMDR allows individuals to process and release emotional distress that may be stuck due to unresolved trauma. It is recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as an evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses less on discussing the traumatic event and more on changing the way it is stored in the brain.

During EMDR sessions, the therapist will guide you through a series of bilateral stimulations—often eye movements, taps, or sounds—while you recall a distressing memory. This process helps your brain “reprocess” the memory, allowing emotional healing to take place. Over time, the memory becomes less vivid and painful, and your thoughts and feelings about it shift in a healthier direction.

The number of sessions varies based on the individual. Some people experience significant relief in as few as 6–12 sessions, while others with more complex trauma histories may need longer. Each session typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes. EMDR is a structured therapy that follows an 8-phase protocol:

  • History Taking 
    Understanding your personal history and identifying target memories.

  • Preparation
    Explaining the EMDR process and building trust and safety.

  • Assessment
    Activating the specific memory and identifying beliefs and emotions.

  • Desensitization
    Using bilateral stimulation while focusing on the memory.

  • Installation
    Replacing negative beliefs with positive, adaptive thoughts.

  • Body Scan 
    Ensuring physical tension related to the memory is resolved.

  • Closure
    Returning to a calm state at the end of the session.

  • Reevaluation 
    Reviewing progress in later sessions and addressing new targets if needed.

If you're curious whether EMDR is right for you, schedule an initial consultation with one of our trained EMDR therapists. Together, we can explore your goals and design a plan tailored to your healing journey.
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What Patients Say About EMDR:

Healing After Several Sessions

"After years of talk therapy, EMDR helped me feel relief in just a few sessions. It felt like a weight had been lifted."

Relief From Trauma

"I didn’t have to explain everything over and over. EMDR helped me process the trauma without reliving it."