EMDR Therapy Services in Richmond, VA
Are you facing the lingering effects of past traumatic events or experiencing anxiety, depression, or phobias? Have you tried traditional talk therapy without success? EMDR therapy may be the answer. At Acacia Counseling & Consultative Services in Richmond, Virginia, we offer eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, an innovative and research-backed approach to trauma recovery. Whether you're dealing with recent stressors or long-held pain, EMDR offers a structured, non-invasive way to restore a sense of safety and achieve peace. It is designed to help individuals process and overcome trauma and foster lasting healing.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy method that uses a technique called bilateral stimulation to repeatedly activate opposite sides of the brain. Therapists often use guided eye movements, audio cues, or tapping to facilitate bilateral stimulation. These eye movements mimic the period of sleep referred to as rapid eye movement or REM sleep. This is the portion of sleep that is believed to be the time when the mind processes recent events and organizes experiences.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
This approach is tailored to each person’s needs and unfolds at a pace that supports comfort and readiness. Unlike talk therapy, EMDR does not require you to verbally recount every detail of the trauma. Instead, it helps you shift the way those memories are stored so they no longer disrupt your present life.
EMDR therapy aims to rewire the brain by helping it process and reframe traumatic memories that are "stuck" in unprocessed forms. Through bilateral stimulation, EMDR activates the brain’s natural healing mechanisms, allowing upsetting memories to be reprocessed in a way that reduces their emotional charge. This works to create new neural pathways, enabling the brain to store these memories in a way that diminishes their negative impact.
How EMDR Therapy Promotes Change
Clients typically begin EMDR with a preparation phase that includes gathering background information, building coping tools, establishing safety, and choosing a target memory for reprocessing. Depending on the individual, this phase may take several sessions. From there, therapy follows a structured protocol to support the brain’s transition from distress to resolution:
Desensitization – Use bilateral stimulation while focusing on the target to reduce distress and process associated material.
Installation – Strengthen the chosen positive belief with bilateral stimulation.
Body scan – Check for residual body tension linked to the memory and process remaining sensations if needed.
Closure – End the session with stabilization and grounding to leave feeling present and safe.
Reevaluation – At the next session, confirm progress, check if the target stays resolved, and choose the next targets.
Over time, EMDR therapy leads to improved emotional stability and a healthier response to triggers. It is especially helpful for those dealing with relational trauma, childhood abuse, or long-standing negative beliefs about themselves.
Conditions EMDR Therapy Treats
Originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), EMDR can be adapted for numerous clinical presentations. EMDR therapy has proven effective for a wide range of conditions, including:
Panic attacks
Complicated grief
Dissociative disorders
Disturbing memories
Phobias
Pain disorders
Performance anxiety
Addictions
Stress reduction
Sexual and physical abuse
Body dysmorphic disorders
Personality disorders
Many clients seek EMDR for specific traumatic events, while others use it to work through patterns that have developed gradually. For example, individuals with chronic pain may benefit from targeting the emotional memory associated with the onset of physical symptoms. Similarly, those with anxiety can address underlying shame, fear of failure, or critical self-talk that fuel their stress responses. In any case, EMDR can offer a new way to relate to your thoughts and feelings, supporting healing and recovery.
Find Out if EMDR Therapy Is Right for You
If you’re experiencing overwhelming memories, emotional reactions, or negative beliefs that you can’t seem to shake, EMDR therapy may be right for you. At Acacia Counseling & Consultative Services, we’re here in the Richmond, VA, area to help you find hope and relief, so you can regain control of your mental and emotional well-being. Contact our practice today for an appointment. For those who prefer remote care, telehealth options are available. You can also visit EMDR Institute, Inc. to learn more about EMDR therapy.