Transformative EMDR Therapy in San Antonio
Are you curious about emdr therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals heal from traumatic or distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy is evidence-based and has been proven effective in treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, phobias, and more.
HOW DOES EMDR THERAPY WORK?
During your sessions with your Meraki Holistic Counseling therapist, you will focus on the traumatic or distressing life experience you are currently working through. This focuses on bringing up associated memories, thoughts, and feelings that may have been blocked or buried in your mind. Once these emotions come to the surface, your counselor will guide you through a series of eye movements to help reprocess and desensitize the traumatic experience. This process accesses the part of your brain that stores the memory and helps it be "re-wired" or processed in a different, healthier way.
It is believed that the brain's capacity for processing information can become overwhelmed by certain events, leading to negative feelings and reactions that are difficult to heal from. EMDR therapy combines eye movements, cognitive restructuring, and relaxation techniques to support the brain in processing these experiences more effectively. This can help reduce symptoms associated with trauma, such as nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and depression.
“Changing the memories that form the way we see ourselves also changes the way we view others. Therefore, our relationships, job performance, what we are willing to do or are able to resist, all move in a positive direction.”
-Dr. Francine Shapiro, Developer of EMDR Therapy
What Are The Benefits of EMDR Therapy?
The benefits of EMDR therapy are numerous. It provides a safe and structured way for clients to process and move through traumatic experiences. It can reduce symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as minimize the risk of developing these conditions in the first place. Additionally, EMDR therapy helps individuals develop healthy coping strategies for managing difficult emotions and situations, empowering them to move forward in their lives.
Are You Wondering About the Effectiveness of EMDR Therapy?
While the best way to determine if EMDR therapy is the right choice for you is to consult your Meraki Holistic Counseling therapist, it's essential to note that numerous clients have found success with this form of treatment. The American Psychological Association and the Department of Veterans Affairs conditionally recommend EMDR therapy for PTSD, as well as individuals with panic disorders and depression.
Many people think EMDR is just “the eye movements” or tapping, but the truth is, the work begins the moment we sit down together. EMDR therapy is a structured, trauma-informed process that unfolds in eight evidence-based phases:
The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy
1. History Taking & Treatment Planning
We learn about your history, challenges, and goals. Together, we identify which memories or themes to focus on and build a personalized EMDR treatment plan.
2. Preparation & Resourcing
Before any trauma processing begins, we focus on building trust, safety, and emotional regulation skills. You’ll learn grounding and calming tools you can use both in and outside of session.
3. Assessment
We identify the target memory, the negative belief attached to it, the emotions it brings up, and how it feels in your body. This gives us a clear starting point.
4. Desensitization
With the support of bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds), we help your brain process the memory in a healthier way so it feels less disturbing over time.
5. Installation
We strengthen and reinforce positive beliefs that you’d like to hold about yourself, creating new, empowering pathways in your brain.
6. BODY SCAN
We check in with your body to release any lingering tension or discomfort connected to the memory, promoting mind-body healing.
7. CLOSURE
At the end of each session, we ensure you leave feeling safe, grounded, and supported — even if the memory isn’t fully processed yet.
8. Reevaluation
In the next session, we revisit your progress, evaluate changes, and decide together whether to continue with the same target or move to a new one.
By moving through each phase at your pace, EMDR therapy creates lasting change — not just relief in the moment. The bilateral stimulation is just one part of a much larger healing journey.
Common Questions About EMDR Therapy
We know choosing a trauma-focused therapy can feel overwhelming, so we’ve gathered answers to the most common questions clients ask about EMDR. From how it works to whether it can be done virtually, our goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and confident about the process.
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Yes. EMDR can be highly effective both in person and through secure video sessions. In virtual EMDR, bilateral stimulation is adapted for telehealth — such as guided eye movements on screen, tapping, or audio tones — so clients can benefit from EMDR from the comfort of their own homes.
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The number of sessions varies depending on each client’s history, needs, and goals. Some people notice relief in just a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term EMDR as part of a broader healing process. We’ll collaborate with you to create a plan that feels supportive, effective, and sustainable.
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No. Jumping directly into bilateral stimulation is not advised. We take a trauma-informed approach, which means we begin by helping clients build resources, practice grounding skills, and prepare for the deeper work. EMDR is a step-by-step process, and developing a strong foundation of safety and resilience is essential before moving into bilateral stimulation.
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EMDR is best known for treating trauma and PTSD, but it is also effective for anxiety, depression, grief, phobias, and performance blocks. It helps reduce the emotional intensity of painful memories and supports clients in moving forward with more clarity, confidence, and calmness.
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EMDR sessions are structured and guided. After identifying a memory or theme to focus on, we use bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or tones) while clients notice thoughts, emotions, and body sensations. This process helps the brain reprocess “stuck” experiences, making them feel less overwhelming and more manageable over time.
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If you feel stuck in recurring patterns, weighed down by past experiences, or overwhelmed by anxiety or trauma, EMDR may be a good fit. During a consultation, we’ll talk through your history and goals to see if EMDR is the right approach for your healing journey.
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EMDR may not be recommended for everyone. For example, individuals with certain medical or psychiatric conditions may need stabilization or other treatment first. That’s why we complete a thorough assessment before beginning EMDR. We are committed to making sure the timing and approach are safe and supportive for each client.
