EMDR Therapy
Are You Struggling to Overcome Traumatic Memories or Negative Patterns?
Do certain traumatic events or trauma triggers still affect your daily life, no matter how hard you try to move forward? You might struggle with overwhelming emotions like fear, anger, anxiety, or sadness. Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or avoidance behaviors can make it feel like the past is controlling your present.
These trauma responses can leave you feeling unsafe, disconnected, and stuck in a cycle of emotional dysregulation. You may find it difficult to feel grounded or fully present in your own life.
You don’t have to keep carrying this burden.
At Salty Counseling, we offer EMDR therapy in Salt Lake City, Utah—a powerful, evidence-based approach to healing from trauma. With the support of a trained EMDR therapist, you can begin to process painful memories, reduce emotional distress, and reclaim a sense of peace and safety in your body and mind.
EMDR Therapy for Trauma in Salt Lake City
Trauma Recovery in Salt Lake City
Most people experience some form of trauma during their lives, whether it’s a single event or ongoing struggles. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed or stuck after trauma. According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 70% of adults in the United States have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Whether the trauma stems from childhood, relationships, accidents, or major life transitions, its emotional impact can be long-lasting.
The good news is that EMDR therapy can help the healing process. Many clients find they are able to release old emotional patterns, feel more present, and gain a deeper sense of control over their emotions.
How EMDR Therapy Can Help You Heal from Trauma
EMDR therapy offers a scientifically backed approach to process traumatic memories and experiences. By using bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements), EMDR helps the brain reprocess and reframe distressing memories, reducing their emotional intensity. This technique can help you reframe negative beliefs, shift unhelpful emotions, and feel more empowered in your everyday life.
During EMDR sessions, we will focus on identifying specific memories or experiences that continue to affect you. The goal is to process these memories so they no longer trigger intense emotional responses or unwanted behaviors. This is done in a safe, structured environment with a focus on your comfort. You will also You’ll also learn grounding tools—like somatic exercises for emotional regulation to help you stay grounded in the present, empowering you to manage stress and anxiety. Learn more about how we support trauma recovery through a whole-person, nervous-system-informed lens. You might be wondering, “What if I don’t have memories?” I’m happy to help you with this as well.
With over 10 years of experience in trauma-informed care and EMDR therapy, I have seen firsthand the positive changes clients can experience. Many clients find that after completing EMDR therapy, they feel more at ease, regain a sense of control, and experience lasting healing. Together, we will work to help you process your trauma and move forward with renewed hope.
How EMDR Therapy Works to Heal Trauma
EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful, evidence-based approach to trauma treatment. It helps your brain reprocess distressing memories and experiences so they no longer feel emotionally overwhelming or disruptive to your daily life. Whether you're coping with PTSD, childhood trauma, relationship wounds, or anxiety linked to past events, EMDR therapy can support deep and lasting healing.
Understanding Trauma and the Brain
When a traumatic event occurs, the brain’s natural ability to process and store the experience can become overwhelmed. Instead of integrating the memory like other life events, the trauma gets “stuck” in the brain’s emotional processing centers—often leading to flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or strong emotional reactions to triggers. This can disrupt your sense of safety and keep you in a constant state of fight, flight, or freeze.
What Happens in EMDR Sessions
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements, vibration from a hand-held device called tappers, or sounds—to activate both sides of the brain while you revisit traumatic memories in a controlled, therapeutic setting. This process allows the brain to reprocess the memory and link it with new, adaptive information.
Over time, the memory becomes less emotionally charged. You may still remember what happened, but it no longer feels overwhelming or defining. Instead of reinforcing painful core beliefs like “I’m unsafe” or “It was my fault,” EMDR helps you internalize healthier truths, such as “I’m safe now” or “I have control.”
Lasting Benefits of EMDR Therapy
Each EMDR session builds on the last, gradually helping you release the emotional and somatic distress associated with trauma. Many clients report a significant reduction in anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, and emotional reactivity.
In addition to healing the past, EMDR therapy supports you in:
Developing emotional regulation skills
Improving your relationship with yourself and others
Strengthening self-worth and resilience
Feeling more grounded and present in daily life
Whether you’re navigating complex PTSD, single-incident trauma, or ongoing stress, EMDR can help you feel more in control of your emotional world.
EMDR Therapy in Salt Lake City, Utah
At Salty Counseling in Salt Lake City, Utah, we offer EMDR therapy as part of a trauma-informed, compassionate approach to healing. Sessions are available both in-person and virtually, giving you the flexibility to choose the setting that feels safest and most accessible.
If you're ready to stop reliving the past and start moving forward with clarity and strength, EMDR therapy can help. You're not alone—and healing is possible.
Common Questions About EMDR Therapy for Trauma
What if I don’t want to relive the trauma during EMDR?
It’s completely understandable to feel concerned about revisiting painful memories. In EMDR, we work at your pace and only focus on memories you’re ready to process. You are always in control of the process, and the goal is to help you reprocess memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity. Another valuable aspect of EMDR is that it doesn’t require you to talk in detail about the trauma itself. This can be especially reassuring for those concerned about 'reliving' the experience during therapy.
How long will it take for EMDR to work?
The duration of EMDR therapy varies depending on the severity of the trauma and your healing process. Many clients feel relief after just a few sessions, but the process may take longer. On average, clients can expect between 6 and 12 sessions to work through significant trauma.
Is EMDR safe?
Yes, EMDR is a safe and effective therapeutic approach. It is widely used by licensed clinicians and is supported by extensive research as an evidence-based treatment for trauma. To ensure the highest quality of care, I highly recommend working with a Certified EMDR Therapist who is trained to deliver EMDR therapy with fidelity. This is exactly what we offer at Salty Counseling.
EMDR Therapy for Anxiety: Finding Relief and Regaining Control
Anxiety can feel overwhelming—constant worry, racing thoughts, panic attacks, or a persistent sense of dread that interferes with daily life. Traditional talk therapy helps many, but sometimes anxiety is rooted in unresolved traumatic memories or past experiences that keep triggering your nervous system. That’s where EMDR therapy can make a profound difference. If you're struggling with chronic anxiety or panic, learn more about our anxiety therapy services here.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy helps your brain process and release the underlying traumatic or distressing memories, consciously and subconsciously, that fuel anxiety symptoms. By using bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements, taps, or sounds—EMDR encourages your brain to reprocess these memories, reducing their emotional charge and weakening the automatic anxiety response.
Many clients in Salt Lake City have found that EMDR therapy not only alleviates symptoms like panic attacks, excessive worry, and hypervigilance but also helps them build stronger emotional regulation skills. As you progress through EMDR sessions, you may notice increased calmness, better sleep, and a greater ability to manage stress without feeling overwhelmed.
If you’re struggling with anxiety that feels stuck or resistant to other treatments, EMDR therapy at Salty Counseling could be the key to unlocking lasting relief and reclaiming your peace of mind.
What Clients Are Saying About EMDR
Many clients who’ve completed EMDR therapy report feeling more at ease, present, and in control. They share that intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety that once overwhelmed them are significantly reduced and, in many cases, completely resolved. This shift allows them to move through life with more peace and clarity. Clients consistently highlight how EMDR has effectively reduced trauma-related symptoms, improved emotional well-being, and helped them regain confidence in managing their emotions and relationships.
With my extensive training and experience in EMDR therapy, you can feel confident that you're in capable and compassionate hands. I am dedicated to helping you process your trauma and achieve lasting relief—as many others have through this highly effective and transformative approach.
Why Choose Me as Your EMDR Therapist?
As an EMDR-certified therapist with years of experience in trauma-informed therapy, I offer a compassionate, client-centered approach tailored to your unique needs. I work at your pace to ensure you always feel safe, supported, and empowered throughout the healing process. Together, we will create a trusting and collaborative environment where you can address and resolve trauma effectively.
I tailor each session to address your unique challenges and goals, using my expertise in EMDR to support your path toward emotional healing. With my experience and commitment to your well-being, I’m here to help you navigate your journey toward lasting relief and a more peaceful life.
As mentioned, I provide EMDR therapy to fidelity—meaning it is delivered exactly as it was researched and developed, following the full 8-phase protocol outlined by Francine Shapiro. Unfortunately, many therapists have moved away from this structured approach, which can limit the therapy’s effectiveness. When EMDR is not conducted in its entirety, it may fail to fully resolve the memory networks associated with trauma. My goal is to ensure you receive the full benefit of this powerful, evidence-based treatment.
Take the First Step Toward Healing Today
It’s time to stop letting trauma control your life. You deserve to feel free from the emotional burden of past experiences and regain a sense of peace and control. By scheduling a free consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your concerns and learn how EMDR therapy can help you. This consultation is a no-pressure, compassionate space where we can explore the best approach to address your unique challenges and create a tailored plan for your emotional well-being.