EMDR Therapy in Glendale & Phoenix, Arizona and Minnesota
When insight isn’t enough, EMDR goes deeper.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps your brain reprocess painful memories so they no longer feel raw and overwhelming. Instead of talking through your trauma over and over, EMDR works with your brain’s natural healing process to help painful experiences finally settle.
When something overwhelming happens, your brain’s ability to process the experience can get disrupted. The memory stays “stuck” — along with the emotions, body sensations, and negative beliefs connected to it. That’s why a memory from years ago can still feel like it’s happening right now.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help your brain process difficult or traumatic experiences. This might look like following a wand with your eyes, holding small buzzers that alternate gentle vibration in your hands, and listening to soft tones that move from one ear to the other through headphones. This helps your brain reprocess the experience so it can be stored properly--as something that happened in the past, nothing something your body is still reliving.
EMDR is an 8-phase treatment model. Before any trauma processing begins, we spend time building safety, developing grounding tools, and making sure you feel prepared. We only move forward when you’re ready.
Think of it like helping an open wound finally heal into a scar. You remember what happened, but it stops hurting the way it used to. As that wound heals, your beliefs often shift too — from feeling unsafe, broken, or helpless, to feeling stronger, safer, and more in control.
Want to learn more? Visit the EMDR International Association
How EMDR works
EMDR may be right for you if…
You’ve experienced a traumatic event or series of overwhelming life experiences.
You struggle with anxiety, depression, overwhelm, or emotional numbness.
You often feel unsafe, helpless, or weighed down by shame.
You’ve tried talk therapy before with little or no real change.
You know you’re struggling but don’t fully understand why — maybe you’ve “just always felt this way.”
No matter how hard you try to convince yourself you’re safe or worthy — it doesn’t feel true in your body.
You want to heal the root of the problem, not just learn to manage it.
Hi, I'm Amy
I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor(LPC) and Certified EMDR Therapist with over 20 years of experience. But In Addition To That, I Also Know What It Is Like To Process My Own Trauma With EMDR To Find Healing.
My own journey through depression and anxiety is what led me to this work. I know what it feels like to carry quiet pain that no one around you sees — and I know how transformative it is when you finally get the right support.
I'm not the therapist that just listens to your story. I help you see the patterns you can't see on your own, notice what's happening beneath the words, and walk with you into the places that feel too scary to go alone.
My clients tell me they feel seen in a way they haven't before — that there's a safety in our sessions that lets them finally let the walls down.
And that's where the real healing begins.
Common questions about EMDR
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No. EMDR engages present-moment awareness to anchor you, so even when memories surface, you’re not re-experiencing them in real time. Think of it like watching a scary movie from the comfort of your couch instead of being inside it. You notice the story, feel your emotions, but you’re safe and in control.
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This is the most common concern I hear — and it’s completely valid. The trauma processing doesn’t begin until Phases 3–8. Before that, we focus on getting to know your story, building safety, and developing regulation skills. We only move forward when you’re ready. If fears come up, we work with those first.
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Readiness isn’t about being perfectly prepared or having zero fear. It’s about feeling safe enough and knowing you have tools if difficult emotions surface. You may notice curiosity or courage start to emerge alongside the nervousness. I’ll walk you through this so you don’t have to figure it out alone.
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Yes. Memory gaps are common with trauma — your brain may have blocked or fragmented memories to protect you. EMDR doesn’t require perfect recall. We process whatever shows up — emotions, body sensations, images. Even without full memory, EMDR helps your nervous system resolve the impact.
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No. EMDR helps your brain store memories differently so they’re no longer raw and overwhelming. You’ll remember what happened, but it stops feeling like it’s happening right now. The emotional charge fades, and your beliefs often shift — from feeling broken or helpless to feeling stronger and more in control.
Other approaches I use
Let’s start with a conversation.
Maybe you’re not even sure therapy is the right step. Maybe you’ve been sitting on this for a while. That’s okay. Starting is the hardest part, and you’re already here.
Complete this form to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. No commitment — just a conversation to see if we’re the right fit.
