EMDR Therapy
Transformative EMDR therapy in NYC for Deeper Healing
Tired of Traditional Talk Therapy?
Discover EMDR Therapy in NYC for True Transformation
If you've found yourself frustrated with traditional therapy, you're not alone. Many people feel stuck discussing the same issues week after week without real change. EMDR therapy in NYC offers a holistic approach that works with your mind, body, and nervous system to heal trauma at its roots. A structured space that’s less about talking and more about processing, releasing, and transforming.
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Bilateral stimulation (BLS) is the key to this process. It may look like rapid eye movements or physically tapping on your arms or legs while listening to audio cues to activate both sides of your brain as well during therapy.
Traditionally, EMDR therapy has been applied to the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from traumatic events such as sexual assault, auto accidents, or combat experiences. More recently, EMDR therapy has been adapted for application to a wide range of diagnoses and conditions like anxiety, depression, chronic pain, eating disorders, and addictions.
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a proven approach that helps your brain and nervous system reprocess traumatic memories. Unlike traditional CBT, EMDR doesn’t just focus on thoughts and behaviors—it works with your nervous system’s natural ability to heal.
Through guided eye movements, sounds, or tactile stimulation, EMDR helps you access and process stuck memories. This can lead to lasting relief from anxiety, PTSD, and other trauma-related symptoms.
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While it is technically possible to do EMDR on yourself, it is not advised for numerous reasons.
EMDR is a trauma treatment modality meant to be facilitated by a trauma therapist. The processing of traumatic events can activate hard-wired responses of flight, fight, and freeze, impacting your ability to come back into the window of tolerance.
If you are doing EMDR on yourself, there is a lot to manage and keep track of, like the length and duration of BLS, negative cognition, disturbance level, and bodily sensations.
Interested in EMDR therapy? Read our tips for getting started
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Often, people who request EMDR counseling want to jump directly into the “big stuff” or the traumatic event because they understandably want to feel better right away. However, healing from trauma takes time, and for change to be effective, it’s imperative to move through each step.
One benefit of EMDR is that it does not require that you tell the trauma story in great detail. Once you are in a place to do deep healing work, you won’t have to spend hours going into content and constantly staying in the mode of talk therapy. Instead, you’ll visualize the trauma and track your bodily sensations, thoughts, and images. internally
EMDR therapy relies on eight phases of treatment. Each phase in the process provides benchmarks for success where you can see tangible changes in your life from the first session on.
Why Choose EMDR Therapy in New York City?
Go Deeper Than Traditional CBT Therapy
By working with your nervous system’s responses, EMDR can help you:
Heal unresolved trauma stored in your body.
Break free from repetitive thought patterns and emotional blocks.
Build resilience and a deeper connection to yourself and others.
If you're looking for an approach that integrates mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and trauma-informed care, EMDR therapy could be the right fit for you.
The Eight Phases of EMDR Treatment
What to Expect in Your EMDR Therapy Sessions
EMDR is a structured yet deeply intuitive process that allows your nervous system to release trauma naturally.
Phase One
History taking and treatment planning. During this phase, we will get to know your past and help you get comfortable with the EMDR process and with your EMDR therapist.
Phase Two
Preparation when you’ll learn the resources and mental skills to help react calmly and manage triggers outside of therapy sessions.
Phase Three
Assessment when we look for a “cluster” of memories to focus on, all with a similar negative core belief. Each memory will become a “target” that you’ll work on in the desensitization phase of therapy.
Phase Four
Desensitization when you’ll reprocess those “target” memories. You’ll be asked to recall the memory using bilateral stimulation (BLS). You’ll experience BLS for about 30 seconds, followed by a brief reflection on what just happened. We repeat this process until the memory in question is no longer dysregulating.
Phase Five
Installation when you’ll have the chance to “install” a belief about yourself and the situation that is more positive and not dysregulating.
Phase Six
Body scan, during which you’ll think of the incident and the positive belief developed during the installation phase. You’ll check your body’s physiological responses to see if feelings of stress or discomfort remain.
Phase Seven
Closure when we’ll make sure you are regulated to move out into the world and take time to notice a sense of completion around an event that once disturbed you and is no longer distressing.
Phase Eight
Reevaluation when you’ll evaluate the reprocessing and assess if there are any issues left to tackle.
EMDR Resources
During the preparation phase of EMDR, you will get the chance to develop “resources” with your counselor that will help you handle the frightening and sometimes overwhelming emotions you may experience.
These resources include deciding what a “safe place” looks like for you, where your body and mind can feel at ease and relaxed should you need it. The process of containment is another resource that enables you to keep your memories sort of “boxed” in mentally, so you can keep them there when you are not actively engaged in processing them.
Other resources provide support that helps calm and nurture you during the therapy process which can have life-long benefits as well. Over time, you will be able to develop an increased window of tolerance, which is the ability to stay with distress without it holding you back from living your life.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?
EMDR Therapy Supports People Seeking Holistic Healing
You might benefit from EMDR therapy if you’re experiencing:
Trauma or childhood/attachment wounds (CPTSD)
Grief, loss, divorce, or separation
Addictions and compulsive patterns
Stress, anxiety, phobias, or panic
Depression, negative self-talk, and self-esteem concerns
Recovery from chronic pain, injuries, or medical trauma
Burnout in helping professions
Blocks to performance, creativity, or manifestation
A Holistic Approach to EMDR Therapy: Integrating Somatic, Mindfulness, and Polyvagal Techniques
At Third Nature Therapy, EMDR therapy is enhanced by a holistic approach that includes:
Somatic Therapy
In addition to EMDR therapy, we incorporate somatic therapy to help you tune into the body’s wisdom. By working with physical sensations and movements, somatic therapy supports deeper trauma processing, helping you release stuck patterns and restore mind-body balance.
Mindfulness Therapy
Mindfulness-based therapy is a core part of our holistic approach. Through guided practices, you’ll learn to observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment, helping you cultivate presence, reduce anxiety, and support your EMDR therapy process.
Polyvagal Theory
Using principles of Polyvagal Theory, we’ll work together to understand your nervous system’s responses to stress and safety. By learning to recognize and regulate these states, you can foster resilience, connection, and a greater sense of calm.
This integrated approach helps you go beyond traditional talk therapy, working with your mind, body, and nervous system to reduce anxiety and create lasting healing.
Holistic, Trauma-Informed EMDR Therapy That Honors Your Whole Self
I’m Julie, founder of Third Nature Therapy and EMDR therapist. I combine EMDR therapy with mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and trauma-informed care. My approach is less about ticking boxes and more about honoring your unique journey toward healing. If you're ready to go deeper and find true transformation, I’m here to support you.
KIND WORDS
OUR RATES
While we don’t accept insurance in our practice, we do offer Superbills and partner with Thrizer, a platform that seamlessly helps you navigate out-of-network therapy to save time and money on reimbursement.
NOTES FROM THE BLOG
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
If you’re looking for EMDR therapy in NYC that truly integrates mind, body, and nervous system healing, let’s connect. Book a consultation today and take the first step toward lasting change.
Call us at 720-689-2706 or visit our contact page to set up a complimentary 15-minute consultation session and begin your healing journey.