EMDR Therapy
We offer EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), an evidence-based approach that helps people heal from distressing or overwhelming experiences without having to relive them in detail.
EMDR is widely researched and recommended for trauma, but its effectiveness extends far beyond a single diagnosis. Rather than focusing only on coping skills or insight, EMDR works with the brain’s natural healing process to help unresolved experiences become less emotionally charged over time.
How EMDR Works
When we go through difficult or traumatic experiences, the nervous system can become “stuck” in survival mode. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements—to help the brain reprocess memories in a way that feels safer and more adaptive. As this happens, emotional intensity often decreases, negative beliefs shift, and new perspectives emerge naturally.
Many clients describe EMDR as helping them feel relief rather than just understanding why they feel the way they do.
What EMDR Can Help With
EMDR therapy is evidence based and commonly used to treat:
Trauma and PTSD
Childhood emotional wounds
Anxiety and panic symptoms
Depression linked to past experiences
Relationship distress connected to attachment injuries
Grief and loss
Performance anxiety and low self-worth
Distressing memories that continue to feel “present”
You do not need to have a single traumatic event to benefit from EMDR. Ongoing relational stress, emotional neglect, or repeated experiences of feeling unsafe or unseen can also be appropriate to address with this approach.
Our Approach
At Haven Couples Therapy Maryland, EMDR is offered in a thoughtful, paced, and relationally informed way. We prioritize safety, consent, and readiness. EMDR is never rushed, and sessions are tailored to your nervous system, your goals, and your lived experience.
If you’re curious about EMDR but unsure whether it’s the right fit, we’re happy to explore that with you. Healing does not require pushing yourself beyond what feels manageable—and effective therapy should feel both supportive and grounded.
Below is a video from EMDRIA (the EMDR International Association) explaining EMDR therapy.