Some memories do not behave like memories. Instead of fading into the background of your life, they stay raw and intrusive, surfacing without warning, triggering physical responses, and making the past feel alarmingly present. Traditional talk therapy helps many people, but for others, particularly those carrying the weight of trauma, a different kind of treatment is needed. EMDR therapy is one of the most well-researched and effective approaches available for trauma and a growing range of other conditions. And it works in a way that is fundamentally different from anything else in the clinical toolkit. At Old Town Psychology, our trained EMDR therapists provide this powerful treatment for children, teens, and adults in Alexandria, VA.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (known as EMDR) is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It is now recognized as a first-line treatment for trauma and PTSD by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
EMDR is built on a well-supported theory about how the brain processes experience. Under normal circumstances, the brain integrates memories adaptively, connecting them to existing knowledge, draining them of their raw emotional charge, and filing them as past events. But when an experience is overwhelming, the brain’s natural processing system can become stuck. The memory is stored in an unprocessed state, retaining its original intensity, including the sights, sounds, sensations, emotions, and beliefs that were present at the moment of the experience. Each time something triggers that memory, the brain responds as though the event is happening now rather than in the past.
EMDR works by activating the brain’s natural processing capacity while a distressing memory is held in mind. Through a technique called bilateral stimulation, typically guided eye movements, but sometimes auditory tones or tactile taps, your therapist helps the brain resume the processing that got interrupted. The memory does not disappear. What changes is its emotional charge. Events that once felt unbearable become something the person can recall without being overwhelmed and integrated into their history rather than frozen outside of it.
EMDR is not hypnosis, and it does not require clients to speak in detail about traumatic events. For many people, particularly those for whom verbal processing of trauma feels too activating or re-traumatizing, EMDR offers a path to healing that does not require reliving the experience through words.
Who Is EMDR Therapy For?
EMDR is a strong fit for anyone whose past experiences continue to affect their present life in ways that feel difficult to shift through insight or conversation alone. It is particularly well-suited for people who:
- Have experienced a traumatic event or series of events that continue to cause distress
- Find that talking about their experiences makes things worse, or simply does not seem to move things forward
- Struggle with intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares connected to the past
- Feel emotionally stuck despite having a clear intellectual understanding of their situation
- Experience intense emotional or physical reactions that feel disproportionate to current circumstances
- Have tried other forms of therapy and want to explore a different approach
- Are dealing with anxiety, phobias, or persistent negative beliefs that seem deeply rooted
At Old Town Psychology, our EMDR therapists are trained to tailor the approach to each individual client’s age, history, and readiness, ensuring the work is always paced appropriately and conducted within a foundation of safety and trust.
Conditions EMDR Therapy Can Help With
While EMDR was originally developed to treat trauma, decades of research have expanded its evidence base considerably. At Old Town Psychology, we use EMDR to treat a range of conditions, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD
- Trauma resulting from abuse, assault, accidents, medical events, childhood experiences, or other overwhelming life events
- Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and health anxiety
- Phobias and specific fears
- OCD and intrusive thoughts
- Depression linked to unresolved past experiences
- Grief and loss
- Negative core beliefs about self-worth, safety, or trust that persist despite evidence to the contrary
- Attachment and relationship difficulties rooted in early adverse experiences
- Dissociation and emotional dysregulation
- Chronic pain and somatic symptoms with psychological components
The common thread across these conditions is that unprocessed experiences, stored in the nervous system rather than integrated into memory, are driving present-day distress. EMDR addresses that root cause directly.
What Does EMDR Therapy Look Like?
EMDR is a structured treatment that follows a defined protocol, but within that structure, there is significant flexibility to adapt the work to the individual. Here is what the process looks like at Old Town Psychology:
Phase 1: History and Treatment Planning
Your therapist begins by taking a thorough history, understanding your presenting concerns, identifying the experiences that may be contributing to your current symptoms, and establishing the goals for treatment. This phase is also about building the therapeutic relationship as EMDR requires a strong foundation of trust and safety between client and therapist.
Phase 2: Preparation and Stabilization
Before any reprocessing begins, your therapist will equip you with grounding and self-regulation tools that you can use during and between sessions. This ensures you have the resources to manage any distress that arises and that the pacing of treatment is always within your window of tolerance. No reprocessing work begins until this foundation is firmly in place.
Phases 3 and 4: Assessment and Desensitization
Working with a specific target memory or experience, your therapist will guide you through a structured process of activating the memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, typically side-to-side eye movements following the therapist’s hand or a light bar. This dual attention allows the brain to process the memory adaptively. Most clients notice the memory shifting and becoming less vivid, less emotionally charged, or changing in ways that feel organic and natural.
Phases 5 and 6: Installation and Body Scan
Once the distress associated with a memory has reduced, your therapist will work with you to strengthen a positive belief in its place. A body scan ensures that no residual tension or physical distress remains connected to the target.
Phases 7 and 8: Closure and Reassessment
Each session ends with a return to a regulated, grounded state. At the beginning of the next session, your therapist checks in on how you have been since the last meeting and reassesses the work completed before moving forward.
The number of sessions required varies depending on the nature and complexity of what is being treated. Some people experience significant relief from a focused issue in as few as three to six sessions. Others with more complex trauma histories benefit from longer-term EMDR work woven into a broader treatment plan. Your therapist will work with you to establish a realistic and personalized roadmap from the beginning.
"We brought our daughter in for testing and the OTP team was amazing. They were so kind, caring and great with children. My daughter is shy and takes a little time to warm up when first meeting someone new. The Doctor was patient and encouraging and my daughter had a wonderful time. They also provide fast results and meet with you to explain everything in the report. I would definitely recommend them."
"Very prompt response to our inquiry. Welcoming environment and very professional, thorough communication. The staff genuinely seems to care that your needs are met."
"Excellent service, knowledgeable staff, incredible responsiveness, diligence and follow through -- we feel lucky we found such a great therapy practice. We cannot recommend them highly enough!"
“My daughter took WISC-V test there and we are very pleased with our experience. They are professional, patient and wonderful throughout the entire process. My daughter had such a great time that she hardly felt that was a test - she even asked when she could take it again. I would highly recommend them to whoever needs child IQ testing services.”
“I took my children here for TAG testing. Both of my kids actually enjoyed their assessments. I was very pleased with the time and care taken to assess my children, the thoroughness of the report, and the fact that there was a follow-up session to discuss any questions that I had relative to the assessment included. Also-- the tea selection in the waiting room is top tier :)”
“Very prompt response to our inquiry. Welcoming environment and very professional, thorough communication. The staff genuinely seems to care that your needs are met.”
Take the Next Step
If you have been carrying the weight of past experiences and are ready to set it down, EMDR therapy may be exactly what you have been looking for. At Old Town Psychology, we maintain immediate availability for new therapy clients. While many practices in the area have waitlists of six months or longer, we are ready to begin this work with you now.
At Old Town Psychology, we believe everyone deserves exceptional care. Our Northern Virginia practice is proud to serve children, teens, and adults at every stage of life with the kind of individualized, high-quality support that makes a lasting difference.
To schedule a consultation or learn more about EMDR therapy, contact us today.
