Heal Traumatic Memories & Find Lasting Peace

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is a powerful way for busy caretakers to get real results, without spending years in traditional talk therapy.

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You're used to keeping it all together and showing up for everyone. But right now, the weight is heavy.

Your competence is your shield and your strategy. But right now, the weight is heavy, and the strategies that used to work aren't cutting it.

Even with all your strength, you might find yourself struggling with:

  • Intrusive images and memories that hijack your focus and interfere with your presence.

  • Relentless fatigue and physical exhaustion that no amount of rest, vacation, or time off seems to fix.

  • The frustrating feeling of being stuck, because just "talking about it" feels useless, overwhelming, or even re-traumatizing.

  • Unexpected triggers that cause intense, unpredictable reactions, shattering your composure and leaving you emotionally off-balance.

  • Hyper-vigilance and a constant sense of fear, keeping your nervous system trapped in the past and permanently on edge.

  • Quietly shrinking your world, as you find yourself avoiding places or people that once brought you joy.

  • Unexplained physical aches that lead to isolation and disconnection from the people and things you care about.

What is EMDR Therapy and Will It Work For You?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a highly effective, evidence-based therapy designed to help your brain and nervous system heal from distress caused by overwhelming or traumatic memories.

During difficult events, our brain can get "stuck," holding onto that sharp, painful memory with all its raw emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations.

EMDR uses your brain's natural healing process, similar to what happens during REM sleep.

Here's how it works in a simplified way:

During an EMDR session, you'll focus on a distressing memory while I guide you through a set of bilateral (side-to-side) eye or audio stimulations. This can be done online and in-person.

Through this set up, your brain reprocess the memory, moving it from a "stuck" and painful state to a more resolved and peaceful place.

The result?

  • Less emotional stress around upsetting memories.

  • A feeling of being more present in your daily life, instead of being pulled back to the past.

  • Reduced physical symptoms of anxiety and stress.

  • The ability to feel more in at ease with your reactions and emotions.

  • A quiet confidence in your ability to trust yourself and move forward.

EMDR can often help you achieve significant shifts and relief more efficiently than traditional talk therapy, which is a big relief for busy, action-oriented caretakers.

EMDR can help you find freedom from the past, so you can fully live your life today.

EMDR Therapy Specialized Support

Traumatic Loss

Targeting and resolving the intrusive images and somatic shock associated with sudden or violent loss (suicide, child loss). EMDR helps your brain process the memory so it no longer triggers an immediate panic response.

Complicated Grief

Moving beyond difficult, repeating, painful experiences within a loss, like a loved one's addiction or a parent’s cognitive decline. EMDR targets the memories keeping the grief cycle stuck, allowing for natural resolution.

Anticipatory Grief

Processing the intense emotional toll of a known impending loss or navigating the daily grief of chronic illness. We use EMDR to resolve the fear-based future scenarios and the helplessness tied to loss of health control.

Trauma & Overwhelm

Processing major trauma like assault, injury, accident, or disaster, and the chronic stress from living in survival mode. EMDR helps your nervous system fully release the stored trauma energy, moving you out of the constant 'on' state.

Betrayal Trauma & Abuse

Healing the deep pain of infidelity, divorce, or broken trust. We reprocess the long-term impact of complex childhood abuse or abandonment that fuels adult guilt and need for control.

Loss of Belonging

Resolving the pain, shame, and self-blame from rejection by family, friends, or community. EMDR resolves the emotional charge of these wounds, helping caregivers feel secure in their worth.

Is EMDR therapy right for you?

EMDR therapy could be for you if…

  • You’ve experienced an assault, injury, or sudden loss of a loved one.

  • Disturbing images of your trauma cause distress and panic.

  • You’ve tried CBT therapy or talk therapy with no improvement.

  • It’s been a long time since it happened but you have a feeling it’s affecting your current life.

  • You are ready to confront painful memories in a gentle, efficient way.

  • You can access the memory or memories that you’d like to address.

  • You intellectualize or logic away your hurt and you’re ready to actually get results.

EMDR might not be for you if…

  • You can’t yet access emotions or memories (“become activated”).

  • You are not yet able to self-soothe.

  • You are in active psychosis or bipolar mania, are under the influence of certain drugs or alcohol, or have uncontrolled dissociation or a plan, intent and means to kill yourself.

  • You have absolutely no support system outside of therapy.

EMDR Therapy: Virtual or In-Person Sessions

Both virtual and in-person EMDR sessions offer powerful opportunities for healing.

Virtual EMDR sessions provide:

  • Convenience and comfort: Engage in therapy from the privacy and familiarity of your own home, saving time and travel.

  • Accessibility: Receive specialized EMDR care from anywhere within California, Colorado, Florida, or Virginia.

  • Ease of integration: Fit sessions more easily into a busy schedule, supporting consistency in your healing journey.

In-person EMDR sessions provide:

  • A dedicated space: If you prefer a distinct, therapeutic environment free from home distractions.

  • Extended sessions: For thorough resourcing and preparation to help you process deep trauma.

  • Direct presence: If you prefer face-to-face interaction and want tactile bilateral stimulation.

Schedule Free Consultation

Hi, I’m Carly ~

Your Expert EMDR Therapist

EMDR therapy begins with building inner resources, helping you address upsetting memories both in and out of session. We'll move at your pace - you’re always in control. We gently process memories during the 'desensitization' phase using bilateral stimulation like visual tracking, tapping, or audio.

Personally and professionally, I've seen EMDR bring rapid relief and lasting healing from both grief and trauma. Many clients experience positive shifts in about three sessions, with continued growth throughout therapy.

Whether you prefer in-person EMDR therapy sessions here in Steamboat Springs or the convenience of virtual therapy, EMDR offers a powerful path to well-being.

Learn more about me here →

faq

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a powerful and evidence-based psychotherapy approach designed to help you heal from the emotional distress and symptoms resulting from traumatic or difficult life experiences.

    It utilizes bilateral stimulation (alternating left-right stimulation of the brain) while you focus on specific memories, allowing your brain to process these experiences in a new and less distressing way.

  • While the precise neurological mechanisms are still being explored, EMDR therapy is thought to facilitate the brain's natural processing of information, similar to what happens during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.

    The bilateral stimulation (often eye movements, but also tactile or auditory) appears to help "unstick" traumatic memories that may be unprocessed or maladaptively stored. This allows for the emotional charge of the memory to reduce, new insights to emerge, and more adaptive beliefs to develop.

  • EMDR therapy is a powerful and effective treatment for a wide range of challenges, including:

    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related disorders (single-incident, complex, childhood trauma)

    • Grief and loss (including complicated grief, traumatic grief, and unresolved grief)

    • Anxiety disorders (panic disorder, social anxiety, phobias, generalized anxiety)

    • Depression and mood disorders

    • Disturbing memories and intrusive thoughts

    • Low self-esteem and negative self-beliefs

    • Body image issues

    • Performance anxiety

    • Chronic pain (as an adjunct treatment)

  • Bilateral stimulation is a key component of EMDR therapy that involves alternating stimulation of the left and right sides of your brain.

    This can be done a lot of different ways.

    • Eye Movements: Following the therapist's finger, a video, or a light bar with your eyes.

    • Tactile Stimulation: Holding small, vibrating pulsers (buzzies) in each hand that alternate vibrations.

    • Auditory Stimulation: Listening to alternating tones or sounds through headphones.

    In my practice, I offer all three forms of bilateral stimulation (visual, tactile, and auditory) to tailor the experience to your comfort and processing style. I offer in person EMDR therapy at my Steamboat Springs office, and virtual EMDR therapy to adults anywhere in Colorado, California, Virginia or Florida.

  • EMDR therapy typically follows an 8-phase protocol.

    While the processing phase with BLS is central, the initial stages are crucial for safety and preparation:

    1. History Taking: We'll discuss your history and the specific issues you want to address with EMDR.

    2. Preparation: I'll explain the EMDR process in detail, answer your questions, and teach you coping mechanisms and grounding techniques to manage any potential distress.

    3. Assessment: Together, we'll identify specific target memories, the negative beliefs associated with them, and the positive beliefs you'd like to embrace.

    4. Desensitization (Processing): You'll focus on the target memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation. You'll simply notice any thoughts, feelings, images, or sensations that arise without judgment or trying to control them. We'll do several sets of BLS with brief check-ins.

    5. Installation: Once the distress related to the memory significantly reduces, we'll work on strengthening and "installing" the positive belief you identified.

    6. Body Scan: You'll bring the target memory and positive belief to mind and notice any remaining physical sensations. Further processing may occur if there's still disturbance.

    7. Closure: Each session concludes with ensuring you feel grounded and stable. We'll discuss coping strategies for between sessions if needed.

    8. Re-evaluation: In subsequent sessions, we'll review your progress and identify any new targets for processing.

  • The number of EMDR sessions varies depending on the complexity and chronicity of the issues, the intensity of past trauma, and your individual processing style.

    Some single-incident traumas may see significant improvement in 3 or fewer sessions, while more complex or multiple traumas may require a more extended course of therapy.

    We will collaboratively assess your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

  • While processing difficult memories can bring up uncomfortable emotions, the goal of EMDR therapy is to reduce the intensity of that distress.

    I will work with you at a pace that feels safe and manageable, and we will utilize grounding techniques to help you stay present and regulate your emotions.

    You are always in control and can stop the processing at any time. The aim is to desensitize the memory so it no longer evokes the same level of emotional pain.

  • Yes, I use EMDR therapy as part of my personal healing program.

    EMDR therapy was very helpful for me through particularly challenging times of loss.

    My training and ongoing consultation in EMDR therapy allows me to practice and ensure I am giving you the best EMDR therapy available.

  • Yes, EMDR therapy is recognized as an effective and evidence-based treatment for PTSD and other conditions by numerous national and international organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

    Extensive research has consistently demonstrated its efficacy, both in-person and online.

  • Following an EMDR processing session, some individuals may experience temporary after-effects such as vivid dreams, increased awareness of the processed material, fatigue, or mild emotional sensitivity.

    These are usually short-lived (lasting a few hours to a day or two) and are often a sign that processing is continuing. Clients often report feeling very tired after EMDR, which makes sense as it is a powerful processing therapy that requires a lot of energy.

    We will discuss potential after-effects and develop strategies for self-care and grounding to support you between sessions.

  • Traditional talk therapy often involves discussing and gaining insight into your experiences.

    While EMDR therapy also includes a therapeutic relationship and discussion, the key difference is the use of bilateral stimulation to directly facilitate the brain's processing of distressing memories.

    This can sometimes lead to more rapid and profound shifts in emotional processing compared to talk therapy alone, particularly for trauma-related issues.

    Additionally, we know that “talk therapy” that relies heavily on logic or challenging beliefs can be really unhelpful. I got trained in EMDR as I began to see folks with trauma and realize the “gold standard” CBT just doesn’t always cut it.

  • Yes, EMDR therapy can be effectively adapted for online sessions using virtual bilateral stimulation (following a moving dot on your screen or using alternating auditory tones through headphones).

    While in-person sessions in my Steamboat Springs office allow for the added benefit of tactile BLS, online EMDR offers greater convenience and accessibility for clients in Colorado, Florida, California, Virginia, and beyond.

    We will discuss the pros and cons of each format to determine the best fit for you.

  • I use a secure and HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platform through Psychology Today.

    For online EMDR therapy, I use a variety of videos that allow me to control the visual BLS.

    The platform uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that your sessions are confidential and protected.

  • My fees for online EMDR therapy are:

    $300 - Intake session

    $200 - Weekly or biweekly session

    You can pay for counseling using Zelle, venmo, cash/check, credit/debit card, or HSA/FSA.

  • No, I don’t accept insurance for EMDR therapy. If you have insurance with out-of-network benefits, you might be able to be reimbursed through Thrizer. Click here to learn more.

  • Yes, I offer a 3 hour virtual EMDR Intensive for $550.

  • In-person EMDR therapy in my office offers several advantages:

    Tactile Bilateral Stimulation: The use of physical buzzies held in your hands can provide a more grounding and embodied experience, which some clients find particularly helpful for processing.

    Precise Visual BLS: I can precisely control the pace, rhythm, and range of eye movements to optimize your brain's processing.

    Real-Time Observation and Support: Being physically present allows me to observe your subtle physical and emotional responses in real-time, enabling immediate adjustments and tailored support throughout the session.

    Dedicated Therapeutic Space: My comfortable and private office provides a focused and contained environment specifically designed for therapeutic work, minimizing distractions.

  • If you're interested in learning more or scheduling EMDR therapy sessions (either online or in person in Steamboat Springs), you can click here to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.

    I'm happy to answer any further questions you may have and help you take the first step towards healing.

    I offer these free initial consultations to discuss your needs and determine if EMDR therapy is a good fit for you.

    I’ll answer your questions about my approach and experience, and we will plan our first session from there.