EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy can help adults process trauma, PTSD, and painful childhood experiences in a way that goes beyond talking about what happened.
Erin Staniszeski offers EMDR therapy in the Denver area and virtual therapy for trauma across Colorado.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured therapy that helps the brain process painful experiences that still feel unresolved.
During EMDR therapy, clients focus on a memory, belief, emotion, or body sensation while using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or tapping. The goal is not to erase what happened, but to help the brain reprocess the experience so it feels less intense and less present in daily life.
How EMDR Can Help
Trauma can affect more than memory. It can shape how a person feels in their body, how they respond in relationships, and how they see themselves.
EMDR therapy may help clients:
Process trauma without retelling every detail over and over
Reduce the emotional intensity connected to painful memories
Shift beliefs such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not safe”
Feel less controlled by triggers, fear, shame, or self-doubt
Build a more functional relationship with trauma
Why EMDR Is Different
Talk therapy can be helpful, but some clients reach a point where understanding their story is not enough. They may know why they feel the way they do, but still react as if the past is happening now.
EMDR works differently by helping the brain and nervous system process what has been stored from traumatic or painful experiences. It can help change how the past shows up in the present, not by erasing the memory, but by reducing how much power it has.
EMDR May Be a Good Fit If...
EMDR therapy may be helpful for adults who are navigating:
Childhood trauma or painful family experiences
PTSD or complex PTSD
Sexual assault or abuse
A single traumatic event
Emotionally unavailable or immature parenting
Mass tragedy or community trauma
Long-standing insecurity, shame, or self-doubt
Some clients come to EMDR after years of talk therapy, already understanding their story but still feeling affected by it. EMDR offers a different way to work with trauma by helping the brain and body process experiences that still feel active in the present.
Erin may also incorporate Brainspotting when clinically appropriate. Like EMDR, Brainspotting is a trauma-focused approach that can help clients process experiences that feel stuck, overwhelming, or difficult to access through talk therapy alone.