Healing is possible — even when the past feels stuck in the present.

Trauma Therapy & EMDR

In-Person in Purcellville & Online in Virginia, West Virginia, & Washington, DC.

Trauma doesn’t always come from one single event. It can build over time — through overwhelming experiences, chronic stress, relational wounds, or times when you didn’t get the support you needed. Whether your trauma feels “big” or “small,” what matters most is how your body, brain, and nervous system have carried it.

You may find yourself saying things like:

“I know I’m safe now, but my body doesn’t feel that way.”

“I overreact and I don’t know why.”

“I feel numb or shut down when things get overwhelming.”

“I keep replaying what happened, even when I try not to.”

How trauma affects the nervous system

When we experience trauma, our brain and body shift into survival mode. This can lead to:

Hypervigilance or feeling constantly on edge

Difficulty regulating emotions

Trouble sleeping or relaxing

Anxiety, panic, or irritability

Feelings of guilt, shame, or disconnection

Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe in relationships

Flashbacks, intrusive memories, or avoidance of reminders

Trauma can impact how you feel about yourself, how you connect with others, how you handle stress, and how safe you feel in your own body. Left untreated, it can quietly shape your day-to-day life in ways that feel exhausting, confusing, or even shameful.

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly effective, evidence-based therapy for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and more. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR helps your brain access its natural healing processes through something called bilateral stimulation — gentle, rhythmic movements (like eye movements, tapping, or sounds) that activate both sides of the brain.

When we experience trauma, distressing memories can become "stuck" — stored in a way that makes them feel just as upsetting today as when they first happened. EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories, allowing you to make sense of what happened without being emotionally hijacked by it. Over time, the emotional charge softens, and you’re able to hold more adaptive, balanced beliefs about yourself and your experiences.

You don’t have to retell every detail of your trauma to heal. EMDR allows your brain to do the work it was designed to do — process, integrate, and release what’s been trapped, so you can move forward with greater ease.

EMDR can help you…

  • Reduce emotional distress connected to past experiences

  • Release patterns of anxiety, fear, or shame

  • Improve emotional regulation and resilience

  • Build a stronger sense of safety and self-worth

  • Expand your capacity for connection, joy, and peace

What EMDR Sessions Look Like

Every EMDR session is collaborative and paced carefully to ensure you stay within your window of tolerance. While EMDR is structured, it’s also flexible — we’ll move through each of the 8 phases together at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.

  • We start by getting a full picture of what’s bringing you to therapy, your current symptoms, and any past experiences that may be contributing to how you feel today. This helps us map out where to begin and ensures the process is tailored to your specific needs.

  • Before we begin any processing, we spend time building safety and stability. This includes learning grounding techniques, developing calming strategies, and creating internal resources so you feel confident and supported throughout the work.

  • Together, we’ll identify the memories, themes, or experiences that feel “stuck,” along with the emotions, beliefs, and body sensations connected to them. This gives us a clear starting point for reprocessing.

  • Using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds), your brain will begin to process the target memory. You may notice shifts in emotions, thoughts, or body sensations as your brain naturally works through the material. I’ll guide and support you through this process, always checking in to ensure you feel grounded.

  • As the distress linked to the memory decreases, we’ll work to strengthen adaptive, empowering beliefs — helping you build new, more supportive narratives about yourself and your experiences.

  • We’ll check in with your body to ensure any lingering tension or distress has been processed. This step helps ensure full integration of the work and allows you to leave sessions feeling regulated.

  • Each session ends with grounding and stabilization. As we complete processing, we also explore how you can apply your progress moving forward, building confidence in your ability to navigate life with greater ease.

Trauma may impact how you feel today, but it doesn't have to define who you are or where you're headed. Together, we can create space for healing, integration, and growth.

If you’re ready to explore trauma therapy and EMDR, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. You deserve a space to heal, feel safe in your own body, and move forward with greater ease.