EMDR therapy in Layon & online across Utah
Healing that starts where it matters most- at the root.
What if the answer to your anxiety lies in understanding your past?
EMDR (also known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a kind of therapy that focuses on finding and addressing the root of your symptoms. In the beginning, it may look similar to other kinds of talk therapy. There will be discussion about what symptoms you have and what your goals are.
Then, your therapist will help you gain insight into how your past experiences have shaped the way that your brain and body react in the present. When you are ready, EMDR will help you to “reprocess,” which means going back to the past and rewire the way you think, feel and react to specific themes and situations.
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- Find peace from anxiety and depression
Here’s a quick example:
If you were a child who was scolded by your parent for making a mistake, you may have internalized the thought or feeling “I am not good enough.” As an adult, you may notice that when you make a mistake (or even think about it!) you start to get a sick feeling in your stomach, your heart begins to race, and you start to think about all of the ways that things could go wrong and how you will fix it.
In EMDR, we target that exact memory and help you find a new belief to associate with it. Do you want to actually FEEL “good enough,” even when you make a mistake? This is what EMDR aims to do. By changing your belief in the past and then connecting it to the present it will no longer feel like you are trying to talk yourself into positive thinking.
You can learn to actually FEEL the things that you logically KNOW are true.
This method isn’t about endlessly digging around in your past- it’s about getting right to the heart of what is keeping you stuck and teaching your brain and body to react differently.
EMDR might be helpful for you if you:
-Often feel a sense of dread- like something bad is about to happen.
-Have noticed physical symptoms—like tension or restlessness—that don’t go away.
–Feel constantly on edge, like your body is stuck in overdrive.
-Want to break free from overthinking and racing thoughts.
EMDR has been proven to be an effective treatment for many different challenges. Here are the issues that EMDR is used for:
Single-event trauma: Recovering from accidents, assaults, or natural disasters.
Complex trauma: Addressing childhood neglect, abuse, or repeated exposure to distressing events.
First responders and veterans: Coping with exposure to life-threatening situations.
Generalized anxiety: Managing persistent worry and fear.
Social anxiety: Overcoming fears of judgment or rejection in social situations.
Performance anxiety: Reducing stress related to public speaking, exams, or work.
Processing experiences or memories that may contribute to feelings of sadness, guilt, or hopelessness.
Helping individuals navigate and process the pain of losing a loved one.
Reducing the intensity of fears, such as flying, heights, or animals.
Addressing the emotional toll of living with chronic pain or medical conditions.
Exploring connections between physical symptoms and unresolved emotional issues.
Uncovering and processing the root causes of addictive behaviors.
Building resilience against triggers that lead to substance use or other compulsive actions.
.Healing from the impact of betrayal, infidelity, or other relationship traumas.
Addressing attachment wounds that affect current relationships.
Resolving negative beliefs about oneself that stem from past experiences.
Building confidence and a healthier self-image.
What to Expect
EMDR is an 8-phase treatment:
Phase 3:
Assessment
Believe it or not, this phase of treatment is usually only a few minutes long. During this time, your therapist will help you focus directly on specific thoughts, images, and body sensations.
EMDR can help you:
-Identify the root causes of distress and gain clarity on how past experiences influence current struggles.
-Break free from cycles of fear, worry, or self-doubt.
-Build confidence in handling difficult experiences without feeling stuck or triggered.
-Reframe negative beliefs that hold you back, turning them into empowering truths.
-Shift from survival mode to a life where you thrive and feel in control.
It’s possible to feel calm in your body and mind, even after years of living on edge.
Frequently Asked Questions:
A: No. Here are some of the key ways that EMDR and hypnosis are different:
• In EMDR, you remain fully awake, alert, and in control throughout the process. Hypnosis, on the other hand, often involves entering a trance-like state where your attention is more inwardly focused.
• EMDR is a structured, evidence-based therapy specifically designed to help process past experiences and reduce their emotional impact. Hypnosis is a broader tool used for a variety of purposes, including relaxation, pain management, and habit change.
• EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds) to help the brain reprocess distressing memories. This technique helps integrate these memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity. Hypnosis typically relies on suggestions and guided imagery to create change.
• Scientific Backing: EMDR is a well-researched therapy with strong evidence supporting its effectiveness. While hypnosis has therapeutic uses, it does not have the same level of scientific backing for treating trauma.
A: You might be a good candidate for EMDR if:
You feel stuck in the past. If certain memories or experiences seem to pop up out of nowhere and make you feel anxious, upset, or overwhelmed, EMDR can help you process and move forward.
You’ve been through something hard. Whether it’s a big event like an accident or something more subtle, like years of criticism or feeling unseen, EMDR works with all kinds of experiences that may still affect you today.
You have strong emotions or reactions you can’t explain. If you feel anxious, angry, or sad and don’t always know why, EMDR can help you connect the dots and work through the root cause.
You’ve tried other things, but you’re still struggling. EMDR is different from traditional talk therapy. It focuses on helping your brain process things in a new way so you don’t just manage symptoms—you actually feel relief.
You’re ready to heal at your own pace. EMDR is gentle and can be tailored to your comfort level. It doesn’t require you to talk in detail about what happened if that feels too overwhelming.
A: EMDR is generally considered safe and effective, but like any form of treatment, it can come with some potential side effects. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Temporary discomfort. Since EMDR involves working through difficult memories or emotions, you might feel a little more emotional or unsettled during or after a session. This is a normal part of the healing process as your brain processes what you’ve been holding onto.
Vivid dreams or memories. Some people notice that they have more intense dreams or that certain memories surface between sessions. This is your brain continuing to process, which can actually be a good sign that the therapy is working.
Feeling tired. EMDR can be mentally and emotionally tiring, especially after a deep session. It’s a good idea to give yourself some extra time to rest and recover.
Temporary increase in awareness of symptoms. Sometimes, before things get better, you might notice a slight increase in anxiety or other symptoms. This often means the therapy is helping your brain connect the dots and work through the root causes.
*Any new or significant increase in symptoms is not expected and should be promptly discussed with your provider to ensure that each step of the process has been thoroughly addressed.
A: Yes! Healing Connections Counseling accepts the following insurances: Select Health, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United, PEHP, Tricare, EMI, University of Utah Health Plans, and Aetna. We also have self-pay and HSA options.