EMDR Therapy in California
You know the experience is behind you. So why does it still affect you?
Maybe something happened years ago, yet certain situations still bring up the same fear, sadness, anger, or self-doubt. You may understand what happened and why it affected you, but that understanding has not changed how you feel.
EMDR therapy can help you process distressing experiences so they no longer have the same emotional hold on you.
Online individual EMDR therapy and EMDR Intensives for adults throughout California.
What If the Past Didn’t Have to Feel So Present?
Imagine being reminded of a difficult experience without feeling overwhelmed by the same emotions. Or handling criticism, conflict, or uncertainty without immediately feeling inadequate, unsafe, or powerless. You cannot change what happened, but you may be able to change how it continues to affect you.
Does This Sound Familiar?
Certain situations trigger strong reactions. You may feel anxious, angry, ashamed, or overwhelmed, even when your reaction seems bigger than the situation itself.
You understand your patterns, but still struggle to change them. You know logically that you are capable or safe, yet something inside you does not quite believe it.
Painful memories continue to affect you. You may avoid reminders, experience unwanted memories, or notice tension when something brings the experience to mind.
You find yourself repeating familiar patterns. You may fear rejection, struggle with boundaries, or feel responsible for other people’s emotions.
You feel stuck in how you see yourself. Beliefs such as “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t trust myself” may influence your decisions and relationships.
Understanding Why Certain Experiences Stay With You
Our brains naturally work to process experiences. Sometimes, overwhelming events interfere with that process, and memories remain linked to the emotions, physical sensations, or beliefs you experienced at the time.
For example, if you were repeatedly criticized growing up, feedback at work might still bring up feelings of inadequacy, even when you know you are capable. EMDR helps address experiences and beliefs that may contribute to these reactions.
What Could Feel Different?
EMDR does not erase memories or make you forget what happened. The goal is to reduce the distress connected to those experiences so they have less influence over your life.
- Remember difficult experiences with less emotional overwhelm.
- Respond to reminders with less fear, shame, anger, or anxiety.
- Feel less controlled by negative beliefs about yourself.
- Approach relationships and boundaries with greater security.
- Trust your judgment rather than constantly second-guessing yourself.
Everyone responds differently, and progress depends on individual needs and circumstances.
What Is EMDR Therapy and How Does It Work?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach developed to help people process traumatic and distressing experiences. It follows a structured process involving assessment, preparation, memory processing, and closure.
During processing, bilateral stimulation may involve guided eye movements, alternating sounds, or gentle tapping while you briefly focus on aspects of a memory. You do not have to describe every detail of what happened. We will work at a pace that considers your readiness and emotional safety.
What Can EMDR Therapy Help With?
EMDR is well established as a treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It may also be considered for other concerns, particularly when distressing experiences contribute to current symptoms:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Anxiety or panic related to distressing experiences
- Childhood trauma, emotional neglect, or relational wounds
- Persistent self-doubt and negative beliefs
- Distressing memories related to grief, accidents, or medical events
- Performance anxiety or fear of failure connected to earlier experiences
Evidence is strongest for PTSD. Whether EMDR is appropriate for other concerns depends on your history, symptoms, and goals.
What It’s Like to Work With Me
Hi, I’m Kyrah Dickens, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and EMDR Certified therapist with 14 years of experience helping adults work through anxiety, trauma, self-doubt, and difficult life experiences.
My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and individualized. We will begin by understanding what you are experiencing, identifying your goals, and developing strategies to help you feel grounded. EMDR is not about pushing you to revisit painful memories before you are ready. I also integrate other evidence-based approaches when appropriate.
EMDR Intensives in California: Half-Day and Full-Day Options
Sometimes, you want focused time to work through a difficult experience without spreading appointments across many weeks. EMDR Intensives offer extended sessions with time for preparation, processing, breaks, and integration. This can reduce the stop-and-start feeling of shorter appointments, but it does not guarantee faster recovery or completion in one day.
Weekly EMDR Therapy vs. EMDR Intensives
Both approaches can be effective. The right option depends on your goals, schedule, and the experiences you would like to work through.
Weekly EMDR Therapy
Ongoing support at a steady pace.
- Typically 50–60 minute sessions.
- Meet once a week.
- Time for check-ins, grounding, and processing.
- May take several sessions to work through a memory or set of memories.
- A good fit if you prefer ongoing support or are addressing multiple areas.
EMDR Intensives
Focused therapy without the weekly wait.
- Longer sessions: half-day or full-day.
- Meet for several hours in a single day.
- More time for preparation, processing, and integration.
- Less stop-and-start between appointments.
- A good fit if you have a busy schedule and want to focus on a specific experience or cluster of related memories in a shorter timeframe.
For example, after a car accident, weekly EMDR might involve working on memories across several appointments. A half-day intensive offers a longer block of time to address the accident and related reactions, while still allowing breaks and careful pacing. Neither format promises that a memory will be fully processed in a set number of hours.
EMDR Intensive Options
EMDR Intensives are offered in different packages depending on your treatment needs and goals. Both options include preparation, EMDR processing, built-in breaks, and integration time.
Half-Day EMDR Intensive
Approximately 3 hours. A half-day intensive may be a good fit if you are looking to focus on a specific distressing memory or clearly identified concern. It includes focused preparation and processing, breaks for regulation, and an individualized plan.
Full-Day EMDR Intensive
Approximately 5–7 hours, including breaks. A full-day intensive provides additional time for preparation, processing, reflection, and integration, and may be appropriate when several related memories need attention. Treatment remains personalized to your goals and needs.
Packages have different program costs. Session length, availability, and pricing will be discussed during your consultation; prices are not listed here.
What Types of Experiences Might Be a Good Focus?
- A car accident or frightening event
- A distressing medical experience
- An assault or other traumatic event
- A breakup, betrayal, or painful relationship experience
- A memory involving rejection, humiliation, or criticism
- A cluster of related memories linked to a recurring emotional reaction
What Should I Know Before Scheduling?
Extended trauma processing can be emotionally or physically tiring, and time to rest afterward is important. If you have complex trauma, significant dissociation, difficulty maintaining safety, or need additional stabilization, weekly care, extra preparation, or a different level of care may be more appropriate. We will discuss readiness and the safest treatment format before scheduling.
Ask About EMDR Intensives — Schedule a Consultation
Questions You May Have
Do I have to talk about everything that happened?
No. EMDR does not require you to describe every detail. We will gather enough information to guide treatment while respecting your comfort.
What if I do not remember much about my childhood?
You do not need a complete memory of your past to begin. Present-day reactions and beliefs can help us identify what may be useful to address.
Can EMDR help if I have already tried talk therapy?
Possibly. EMDR may be another way to work with distressing memories that continue to influence your reactions.
Does EMDR work online?
EMDR can be delivered through telehealth when clinically appropriate. We will discuss privacy, a suitable environment, and your ability to remain grounded.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no fixed number. It depends on your history, goals, readiness, and response to treatment.
When This Work May Be a Good Fit
EMDR may be a good fit if distressing memories, emotional reactions, or negative beliefs seem connected to earlier experiences. You may understand your patterns but find that insight alone has not brought the relief you hoped for. We can explore whether a structured trauma-focused approach fits your needs.
When This May Not Be the Best Fit
Because I provide therapy exclusively online, this may not be the best fit if you need immediate crisis support, intensive monitoring, or a higher level of care. Significant safety concerns, severe instability, or dissociative symptoms may require additional assessment and stabilization before EMDR processing. Depending on your needs, in-person or more specialized care may be appropriate.
You Don’t Have to Keep Carrying the Same Emotional Weight
It can be frustrating to know something happened in the past and still feel its effects today. Emotional responses do not always change simply because we understand them. With appropriate treatment, it may be possible to experience those memories differently.
Learn More About EMDR Therapy
Introduction to EMDR Therapy
What Is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy?
Ready to Explore EMDR Therapy?
Whether you are interested in weekly EMDR sessions or a half-day or full-day EMDR Intensive, we can discuss what you are experiencing and which approach may be appropriate. You do not have to figure it all out before reaching out.
Online EMDR therapy and EMDR Intensives for adults throughout California.
Kyrah Dickens, LMFT #118667 | Clear Thoughts Therapy & Beyond