What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is an evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma-related symptoms. During EMDR you briefly focus on part of a distressing memory while following guided eye movements or another form of alternating bilateral stimulation.
The goal is for the memory to become less distressing and for the emotional and physical reactions tied to it to settle. You still remember what happened. The memory just stops feeling as immediate or overwhelming. EMDR does not require you to describe every detail out loud, though your therapist will ask for enough to guide treatment safely.
At Empowered Mental Health in Bismarck, our EMDR-trained clinicians offer this approach to children, teens, and adults when it is clinically appropriate. EMDR is one of several well-supported treatments for PTSD. It may also help with trauma-related anxiety, panic symptoms, and distressing life experiences, though the evidence is strongest for PTSD.
What EMDR can help with
- Distressing or intrusive memories
- Nightmares and flashbacks
- Avoidance of trauma reminders
- Feeling constantly alert, unsafe, or easily startled
- Strong emotional or physical reactions to reminders
- Trauma-related fear, anxiety, guilt, or shame
- Negative beliefs connected to painful experiences
- Distress following accidents, violence, abuse, loss, or other overwhelming events
What to expect in an EMDR session
EMDR follows a structured process. In the first sessions your therapist gets to know your history and helps you build coping tools so you feel steady before any reprocessing begins. When you are ready, you briefly focus on a target memory while following your therapist’s guided back-and-forth cues.
Most people notice the memory feels more distant and less intense as sessions go on. Your therapist moves at your pace and nothing is rushed. You stay in control the entire time.
Who provides EMDR at Empowered
Talia Biederstedt, LCSW, founder of Empowered Mental Health, leads our EMDR work. She is EMDR-trained, including EMDR with children, and brings extensive experience helping children, adolescents, adults, and families work through trauma, anxiety, and difficult life transitions. She is currently completing additional training focused on adapting EMDR for children and adolescents.
EMDR is also provided by Emma Pelach, LMSW and Elizabeth Thein, LPCC, who are each EMDR-trained. Your intake helps match you with the clinician who best fits your needs and the ages you are seeking care for.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is EMDR right for me?
EMDR may help if distressing memories or trauma-related symptoms are affecting your daily life. Whether it is the right approach depends on your experiences, your current needs, your goals, and your readiness for trauma-focused work. Your therapist will talk through your symptoms and help you decide whether EMDR or another approach fits better.
Do I have to talk about the details of my trauma?
No. EMDR generally does not require you to describe every detail out loud. Much of the processing happens internally while your therapist guides and supports you. You share enough to plan treatment safely, and you stay in control of what you disclose.
How long does EMDR take?
It varies. Some people see relief in a handful of sessions for a single event, while complex or long-standing trauma takes longer. Your therapist will give you a realistic sense after the first few sessions.
Does EMDR work for children?
Yes. Talia is trained in EMDR with children and adapts the approach so it is safe and understandable for younger clients.
Are you accepting new clients?
Yes. You can book online through our secure patient portal, or call (701) 805-1939.
Ready when you are.
Taking the first step is often the hardest part. A short conversation, at no charge, is usually enough to know whether we are a fit. In person in Bismarck, or by telehealth anywhere in North Dakota.
Book a free 15-minute consultCall (701) 805-1939