EMDR Therapy for Trauma & PTSD in NJ & PA
Heal from Trauma & Reclaim Your Life with EMDR Therapy
Are painful memories, anxiety, or past trauma keeping you stuck? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. Whether you’ve endured childhood trauma, PTSD, relationship wounds, or distressing life events, EMDR can help you move forward with clarity and resilience.
At Siobhan Strickhart, LPC Psychotherapy & Counseling, I provide EMDR therapy in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, offering a safe space to process trauma and build emotional strength. You don’t have to relive your past to heal—EMDR allows your brain to reprocess traumatic memories in a way that reduces emotional distress and enhances overall well-being.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy approach that helps individuals process distressing memories by using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. This process enables the brain to reprocess traumatic memories, allowing them to be stored in a healthier, less distressing way.
Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR has been extensively researched and proven effective in reducing the emotional intensity of traumatic memories, allowing individuals to move past them without being triggered by past pain.
What EMDR Can Help With
EMDR therapy is highly effective for individuals struggling with:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Complex PTSD & Childhood Trauma
Attachment Trauma & Relationship Wounds
Anxiety, Panic Attacks, & Phobias
Sexual Assault & Intimate Partner Violence Recovery
Grief, Loss, & Complicated Bereavement
Medical & Chronic Illness Trauma
Performance Anxiety & Professional Burnout
Dissociation & Somatic Trauma Responses
How EMDR Works
EMDR therapy is based on the idea that the brain, when given the right conditions, can heal from trauma just as the body does from a physical injury. EMDR follows an eight-phase process to facilitate healing:
1. History & Treatment Planning
We discuss your experiences, current symptoms, and therapy goals to tailor the EMDR process to your needs.
2. Preparation & Coping Strategies
You’ll learn grounding techniques and mindfulness exercises to ensure you feel safe and in control throughout the process.
3. Assessment of Target Memory
We identify specific memories, emotions, and beliefs that are contributing to distress.
4. Desensitization (Bilateral Stimulation)
Using eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones, we guide your brain in processing the traumatic memory, reducing its emotional intensity.
5. Reprocessing & Integration
New, adaptive beliefs replace the distressing emotions tied to past experiences.
6. Body Scan & Emotional Healing
We ensure the distress has been fully processed and no longer creates emotional or physical discomfort.
7. Closure & Self-Reflection
Each session ends with grounding techniques to leave you feeling calm and stable.
8. Reevaluation & Progress Review
We assess improvements and make adjustments as needed to continue your healing journey.
What to Expect in an EMDR Session
Each EMDR session is designed to help you work through traumatic memories at a pace that feels safe and manageable. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require you to relive every detail of your trauma—instead, your brain naturally reorganizes the memory so it no longer triggers distress.
During an EMDR session, you may experience: ✔️ Reduced emotional intensity tied to past experiences
✔️ Greater emotional clarity and resilience
✔️ Relief from intrusive thoughts and flashbacks
✔️ Increased self-compassion and inner peace
✔️ A sense of empowerment and closure
Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR is highly effective for individuals who:
Feel stuck in the past, unable to move forward
Experience flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories
Struggle with panic attacks, anxiety, or emotional dysregulation
Have difficulty forming healthy relationships due to attachment wounds
Want a structured, research-backed approach to healing from trauma
If traditional talk therapy hasn’t helped you fully heal, EMDR may provide the relief and closure you’ve been searching for.
Start Your EMDR Therapy Journey Today
You deserve to heal and reclaim your life. If you’re interested in EMDR therapy in NJ & PA, let’s work together to help you process trauma, release emotional pain, and create a future free from past distress.
Book a Free Consultation to learn how DBT can help you find balance and healing.