EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy in Mesa, AZ

Sometimes understanding what happened doesn’t change how you respond. A familiar tone of voice, a conflict, or an unexpected reminder can bring a rush of emotion—or leave you feeling frozen or far away.

At The Well, we offer EMDR therapy in Downtown Mesa, Arizona, as part of a relational, trauma-informed approach. Together, we explore what you’re experiencing and whether EMDR could be a helpful part of your care.

What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a semi-structured therapy that helps people work with distressing memories and the emotions, beliefs, and physical sensations connected to them.

During parts of the process, your therapist guides you in briefly attending to aspects of a memory while using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, alternating taps or handheld buzzers, bilateral movements with drawing, clay, or sounds.

Your therapist will explain each part, answer your questions, and help you understand what to expect. While EMDR has a protocol and a step-by-step process – the important part of this therapy is that you get to consent to each part of the process and our therapists are trained in both trauma-informed care and experiential modalities that allow this EMDR therapy to be more relational, embodied, and tailored to your specific needs.

You might be looking for support because:

  • Something that happened still feels close, even years later.
  • You react strongly to reminders and have difficulty settling afterward.
  • You find yourself avoiding situations connected to a painful experience.
  • You carry beliefs such as “It was my fault,” “I’m not safe,” or “I don’t matter.”
  • You understand something logically, but your emotional and physical responses haven’t caught up.
  • You’ve talked about an experience but still feel affected by it.

These experiences can have different explanations. We’ll take time to understand yours and consider which approaches fit.

 

Do I have to describe everything that happened?

No—you generally don’t need to give a detailed, moment-by-moment account for EMDR processing.

Memory includes more than the story we can tell. Distressing experiences can also leave nonverbal impressions: images, sensations, emotions, and automatic protective responses. Some learned patterns—like bracing or pulling away—may involve procedural memory, the kind of memory that helps us respond without consciously thinking through each action.

We can pay attention to what you notice now, even when words are difficult to find. A sensation or reaction doesn’t necessarily tell us exactly what happened, and we won’t ask you to fill in gaps or search for hidden memories.

Your therapist will need enough information to understand your concerns and plan treatment with you. You get to communicate your boundaries, decide what you share, and ask to pause throughout the work.

We begin by getting to know you, understanding your goals, and considering your current supports and needs.

Preparation may include grounding, noticing signs of overwhelm, practicing ways to return to the present, and developing resources that help you feel more supported.

We’ll also establish how you can signal for a pause and discuss what support might be useful between sessions. Preparation is part of the therapy, and the time it takes varies.

Our EMDR work happens within a therapeutic relationship that makes room for your whole experience.

Depending on your therapist’s training and your needs, sessions may integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS), expressive arts, and body-aware approaches. That might mean getting curious about protective parts of yourself, using imagery or art to develop a resource, or noticing sensations that are difficult to describe.

We choose these approaches thoughtfully with you. You don’t need artistic experience or familiarity with any particular therapy method.

Yes. You remain in control and consenting to each part of the process.

EMDR does not involve hypnosis. You remain awake and can speak, ask questions, or request a pause.

Processing can bring up strong feelings and sensations. Your therapist will check in with you and help you respond to what emerges. You won’t be expected to push through without support.

There isn’t one timeline that fits everyone. The length of treatment depends on your goals, history, current circumstances, and how the work unfolds.

Minimally you can plan on 6-8 sessions. Often more time is needed and that can range from 8-16 sessions.

EMDR includes assessment, preparation, processing, and follow-up. Your therapist will discuss a plan with you and revisit it as you go.

What if EMDR isn’t the right fit for me?

You don’t have to choose a therapy method before reaching out. Together, we’ll explore your goals, preferences, and current circumstances to decide what makes sense for you.

Sometimes EMDR memory processing needs to wait, be adapted, or be replaced with another approach. Reasons might include:

  • Your immediate safety needs attention. If you’re experiencing ongoing harm or an urgent mental health crisis, we may first focus on safety, practical support, and connecting you with the right level of care.
  • It’s difficult to stay connected to the present. Frequently losing time, feeling far away, or becoming disconnected from your surroundings calls for careful assessment. More preparation and a therapist with specialized training in dissociation may be needed.
  • Strong emotions are difficult to manage between sessions. We may spend more time building resources and a support plan before beginning memory processing.
  • Substance use is affecting your ability to participate safely. Intoxication, withdrawal, or difficulty staying present may require coordinated care and changes to the treatment plan. A history of substance use does not automatically rule out EMDR.
  • Other symptoms need more immediate care. Symptoms that significantly affect your judgment, awareness of reality, or ability to participate may need attention before memory processing begins.
  • Your goals are better served by another approach. You may want to focus on communication, practical coping skills, current decisions, or relationship support.
  • You simply don’t want to use EMDR. Your preferences matter. You can ask for a different approach or decide to stop.

Needing more preparation doesn’t mean you’ve failed or that EMDR will never be an option. Preparation is part of EMDR therapy, and we’ll revisit the plan together as your needs change.

At The Well, we offer relational, creative, and experiential ways to engage in therapy. We’ll help you find an approach that fits you.

Yes! EMDR can be offered through virtual sessions. Your therapist will guide you through the process, including ways to use bilateral stimulation remotely, such as guided eye movements or alternating taps.

You’ll need a reliable internet connection and a private, comfortable space where you won’t be interrupted. Together, you’ll plan for how to pause, stay connected, and get support if strong feelings come up or the connection drops.

Your therapist will help determine whether virtual EMDR is a good fit for your needs. Telehealth availability also depends on where you’re physically located during sessions and your therapist’s licensure.

You don’t have to have all the words to take the next step.

*Healing is possible. There’s room to feel more like yourself again.*

Not sure if this is for you?

Reach out for a free 15 minute consultation to see if this is the right next step.

A thoughtful approach, with room for you.

At The Well, we bring curiosity, clinical care, and creativity to the work. We pay attention to your experiences, your relationships, and the ways your mind and body respond.

Julia Karrys offers EMDR therapy and is currently welcoming new clients. Her approach integrates EMDR with Internal Family Systems (IFS), expressive arts, and relational care.

Brittany Johnson is also trained in EMDR and incorporates it into her clinical work.

Meet Julia + Explore EMDR Therapy →

Schedule a Free Consultation →

Our office is located at: 37 N Hibbert, Mesa AZ 85201

Our office is in the heart of Downtown Mesa in a small home.

Our therapists and our space are all curated with you in mind. The Well is a unique and special place full of warmth and color. You and your family will come into a historic home turned counseling office and take a deep breath together. We pride ourselves in taking special care of every client that enters through our doors.

*We also offer virtual options when it is needed and supportive.