EMDR Therapy
in person for Lubbock, TX and virtually for all of Texas
EMDR — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — helps the brain process traumatic memories that got "stuck," so they no longer hold the same emotional charge. It's one of the most powerful and well-researched trauma treatments available.
Accepting new clients --- Most Insurances Accepted
IS THIS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Who Benefits from EMDR?
EMDR was developed for trauma, but research and clinical practice have expanded its use significantly. It may be right for you if:
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You have memories, images, or experiences from your past that still feel raw, overwhelming, or intrusive
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You've talked about your trauma in therapy before but still feel stuck — the feelings haven't shifted
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Certain situations, sounds, smells, or interactions trigger reactions that feel bigger than the moment deserves
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You struggle with nightmares, intrusive thoughts, or flashbacks
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You carry a deep sense of shame, worthlessness, or "something is wrong with me" that you can't shake
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Anxiety or panic show up in ways that don't seem fully explained by your current life
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You've been told you have PTSD, complex trauma, or a history of adverse childhood experiences
You don't have to re-live or re-tell your whole story for EMDR to work. That's one of the things that makes it different.
THE APPROACH
How EMDR Works
When we experience a traumatic event, the memory sometimes doesn't get processed normally — it becomes stored in a fragmented, emotionally charged way that the brain can't fully integrate. This is why trauma memories can feel so vivid and present, even years later. EMDR works by helping the brain do what it couldn't do at the time: process and integrate the experience so it becomes a regular memory — one that you can recall without being flooded by it.
The distinctive element of EMDR is bilateral stimulation — usually eye movements, taps, or tones that alternate left and right. While your brain receives this bilateral input, you hold the traumatic memory in mind. The bilateral stimulation appears to activate the brain's natural information-processing system, allowing the memory to be reprocessed in a way that reduces its emotional intensity. This is similar to what happens during REM sleep, when the brain naturally consolidates and processes memories. EMDR treatment follows eight structured phases: history taking, preparation and stabilization, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation. Your therapist will move through these phases at a pace that feels safe and manageable.
EMDR is endorsed by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and numerous international health bodies. It has been shown in hundreds of randomized controlled trials to produce significant, lasting improvements in PTSD and trauma symptoms — often faster than traditional talk therapy. At Flatland Counseling, EMDR is offered for adults and adapted for children and adolescents, where it may use storytelling, art, or play-based approaches rather than standard eye movements.
Evidence-Based Care
EMDR is endorsed by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the VA/DoD as a first-line treatment for PTSD.
77–90% of single-trauma PTSD patients no longer met diagnostic criteria after 3–12 EMDR sessions in clinical trials
THE PROCESS
What to Expect
Step 1: Reach Out
We'll match you with an EMDR-trained therapist. Many clients are seen within 1–2 weeks. Let us know if EMDR is specifically what you're looking for — we'll prioritize that match.
Step 2: Your First Session
EMDR always begins with preparation — building the stabilization skills and therapeutic trust needed to work with traumatic material safely. Your therapist won't rush this phase.
Step 3: Start Making Progress
As processing progresses, most clients notice that memories that once felt overwhelming become easier to hold — less charge, less intrusion, less physical reaction. The goal is integration, not erasure.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Does EMDR require me to talk about my trauma in detail? -- No — and this is one of the most important things to know about EMDR. You don't have to narrate or describe your trauma in detail for EMDR to work. You hold the memory in mind while the bilateral stimulation occurs, but you don't have to verbalize what you're seeing or feeling in the moment. Many clients find this a significant relief — especially those who have tried to talk about their trauma before and found that re-telling the story just re-traumatized them without producing change.
How is EMDR different from traditional talk therapy? -- Traditional talk therapy works primarily through verbal processing — exploring, understanding, and reframing experiences through conversation. EMDR works differently: it directly targets the way the memory is stored in the nervous system, using bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess it. Many clients who have done years of talk therapy find that EMDR produces shifts that conversation alone didn't reach — particularly around the emotional and physical charge of traumatic memories.
How many EMDR sessions will I need? -- This varies widely depending on the nature of the trauma. Single-incident traumas (a car accident, an assault, a medical trauma) often respond in 3–12 sessions. Complex or developmental trauma — abuse, neglect, or years of adverse experiences — typically requires a longer course of treatment, with more time spent in the preparation and stabilization phases. Your therapist will give you a clearer picture after assessing your history.
Is EMDR available via telehealth? -- Yes. EMDR can be delivered effectively via telehealth using audio tones or tapping (guided by your therapist) as the bilateral stimulation instead of eye movements. Research supports its effectiveness in an online format. We offer telehealth EMDR to clients anywhere in Texas.
Can EMDR be used with children? -- Yes. EMDR has been adapted for children and adolescents, often incorporating play, storytelling, or art rather than standard eye movements. At Flatland Counseling, we use developmentally appropriate adaptations for younger clients. EMDR is particularly effective for children who have experienced trauma, as it doesn't require them to verbalize their experience in ways that may feel overwhelming or impossible.
What does an EMDR session actually feel like? -- People describe EMDR sessions as different from other therapy experiences. You might notice memories, images, emotions, or physical sensations shifting — sometimes quickly, sometimes gradually. Some people cry; others feel calm or detached. Some sessions are intense; others feel surprisingly gentle. After a session, it's common to feel tired or to notice that processing continues in the following days (through dreams, memories, or realizations). Your therapist will prepare you for what to expect and ensure you always end sessions in a stable, grounded state.
Is EMDR only for PTSD? -- No. While EMDR was developed for PTSD and is best known for trauma treatment, research has expanded its application to depression, anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, OCD, grief, chronic pain, eating disorders, and more. The common thread is that EMDR works anywhere that distressing memories or early experiences are contributing to current symptoms.
Will I have to relive my trauma to process it? -- Not in the way you might fear. EMDR doesn't ask you to dwell in traumatic material or repeatedly tell your story. The bilateral stimulation facilitates processing that can happen relatively quickly, and your therapist will monitor your distress level throughout. The experience is often described as "watching a train go by rather than being hit by it" — you're aware of the memory without being consumed by it.
How do I get started? -- You can reach out through our contact page or click the Get Started button to request an appointment. Taking that first step is often the hardest part — I'm glad you're here.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Issues We Treat with EMDR
EMDR is used at Flatland Counseling for a wide range of conditions, particularly where trauma, distressing memories, or adverse experiences are at the root.