A Structured Approach to Processing Trauma
Traumatic experiences can continue to affect the way you think, feel, and respond long after the danger has passed. You may feel on edge, avoid reminders, experience unwanted memories, or react strongly in situations that seem connected to the past.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, commonly called EMDR, is a structured trauma-focused therapy. It helps people process distressing memories while staying connected to the safety of the present.
Talk With Our Team
If trauma-related symptoms are interfering with your relationships, sleep, work, school, or daily life, contact Wings Counseling Center. We provide EMDR therapy for clients throughout San Diego County through our Carlsbad and La Mesa offices, with virtual care when clinically appropriate.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR is a psychotherapy that includes history taking, preparation, assessment, memory processing, and re-evaluation. During processing, the therapist guides bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements or alternating taps, while the client notices aspects of a distressing memory.
EMDR does not erase the past. The goal is to reduce the memory’s current emotional intensity and help the person develop more adaptive ways of understanding what happened.
What Happens Before Memory Processing?
Preparation matters. The therapist learns about your history, current stability, symptoms, supports, and treatment goals. You will receive an explanation of the process and practice strategies for managing distress.
At Wings Counseling Center, EMDR is paced around you. Your therapist will talk with you about readiness, safety, current supports, and any concerns that could affect treatment. Memory processing begins only when it is clinically appropriate and you feel prepared to continue.
What Happens During EMDR?
You may identify a target memory, related thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. While using bilateral stimulation, you notice what comes up without having to force a particular response.
The therapist monitors distress, helps you stay within a manageable range, and closes each session with attention to stability. Treatment proceeds at an individualized pace.
Who May Benefit?
EMDR may be considered for adults, teens, or children experiencing PTSD or trauma-related distress. The method should be adapted to age, development, history, and clinical needs.
Not everyone with trauma symptoms needs EMDR, and EMDR is not always the first step. Other treatments, including CPT, PE, TF-CBT, ACT, CBT, and supportive trauma therapy, may be more appropriate.
Why Choose Wings Counseling Center?
Wings Counseling Center offers individualized trauma care and can help match clients with clinicians based on training, age range, and treatment needs.
Contact the team to confirm which therapists currently provide EMDR, whether they serve your age group, and whether in-person or virtual treatment is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to describe every detail of the trauma?
EMDR requires enough information for safe treatment planning, but it does not always require a detailed verbal account of every event. Your therapist can explain what will be needed.
Will I lose control during EMDR?
You remain awake and aware. You can ask questions, pause, or stop. Your therapist will explain the process, check in with you, and ask for your consent throughout.
How many sessions will I need?
The number varies based on your history, goals, response, and the complexity of the concerns being treated.
Can EMDR make distress feel stronger at first?
Trauma-focused work can temporarily increase distress. Preparation, pacing, communication, and follow-up are important.
Schedule a Consultation
Contact Wings Counseling Center to discuss trauma symptoms and current EMDR availability.