EMDR: help your mind finish healing what happened

What EMDR is

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a distinct, comprehensive psychotherapy approach, compatible with all major therapy orientations. In a session, your therapist guides gentle bilateral stimulation, typically eye movements, while you process a present experience that causes distress. As processing follows today’s distress back to where it began, the memory loses its grip and a new, truer belief takes root: one that is intrinsic to who you actually are.

The goal, in our words: the freedom to become yourself by choice, rather than by what happened to you.

What the research says

EMDR is one of the most extensively researched trauma treatments available, with dozens of randomized controlled studies behind it and strong remission outcomes for single-incident trauma, often within three to six sessions. The research base also supports EMDR for panic disorder, anxiety disorders, dissociative and somatoform disorders, addictions, and relief from disturbing memories. Complex trauma typically takes longer, and we will be honest with you about that.

How we protect you in the process

EMDR at LiveWell is structured to protect your vulnerability and limit the stress of exposure. Before any processing begins, your therapist takes a full history, screens carefully, teaches grounding techniques, and builds a targeted treatment plan with you. Processing happens in measured sets, with frequent check-ins, and continued supportive sessions reinforce each new positive belief until it holds on its own.

Who provides it

EMDR at LiveWell is provided by trained EMDR clinicians, including Wendy Gibbs, LMFT, whose trauma work spans survivors of abuse, veterans, and their families.