What Is EMDR Therapy? A Guide for Walnut Creek Residents

That invisible weight can show up as anxiety, overthinking, habits, or addictions. If talk therapy alone hasn’t helped you get to the root of it, EMDR might be the piece that’s missing.

In my practice here in Walnut Creek, I’ve seen EMDR help clients break through in ways they didn’t think were possible. And I don’t say that lightly. With over a decade in the mental health field—working in schools, clinics, and private practice—I’ve come to believe deeply in giving the body and nervous system a voice in the healing process. EMDR does just that.

If you have questions, please reach out and schedule a free consultation.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

What Does EMDR Stand For?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a structured therapy that helps people process and resolve trauma, distressing memories, and even habits and addictions, using bilateral stimulation—often through guided eye movements.

A Simple Explanation of How It Works

Imagine your mind trying to file a difficult memory, but it gets stuck halfway into the drawer. EMDR helps it finally slide into place. As a therapist trained in trauma work, I’ve seen this shift happen when clients are able to reprocess painful events and then finally breathe deeply again.

During EMDR, your therapist guides you to recall a distressing memory or urge while you follow back-and-forth eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. This process helps your brain update how the memory or craving is stored—so it no longer feels as charged.

Is EMDR Backed by Research?

Absolutely. EMDR is evidence-based and endorsed by organizations like the APA and WHO. Numerous studies show its effectiveness for PTSD, and it’s gaining ground in treating anxiety, phobias, grief, and addictions. In my own work, I’ve found it especially effective for clients dealing with long-standing habits like alcohol use, marijuana, or pornography. By using EMDR alongside Feeling-State protocols (FSP), TEAM CBT, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), I’ve seen remarkable reductions in urges, helping clients more easily replace addictive patterns with healthier alternatives.

What Does EMDR Help With?

EMDR for Trauma Recovery

Trauma isn’t just about war zones or major accidents. It can come from being shamed as a child, growing up with emotional neglect, or constantly feeling like you had to “perform” to be loved. EMDR helps people process these kinds of experiences in a way that feels safe and manageable.

Learn About Trauma-Informed Care Here

EMDR for Anxiety, Stress, and Addictions

For many clients, anxiety isn’t just racing thoughts—it’s a physiological loop that EMDR helps unwind. When addressing addictions or compulsive behaviors, the Feeling-State Addiction Protocol (FSAP) is often integrated. This allows us to identify the specific “feeling states” (like euphoria, belonging, or feeling “better than”) that drive the urge to use substances or engage in addictive behaviors. EMDR helps lower these urges, making space for healthier ways to meet those emotional needs.

I use EMDR to treat Anxiety & OCD as well as Addiction and Control Habits

Other Conditions EMDR Can Support

Phobias
Grief and loss
Depression
Attachment wounds

It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, but in the right hands, EMDR can be a game-changer.

Reach out to me here, and let’s chat about how EMDR can change your life.

What to Expect in an EMDR Session

The 8 Phases of EMDR Explained Simply

EMDR isn’t just eye movements. It’s a well-structured process that unfolds over eight phases:

History-Taking – We start with your story. What’s bothering you now, and what might be linked to the past?
Preparation – I teach you tools to regulate your nervous system so that you feel grounded and in control.
Assessment – Together, we identify the memory or craving and the beliefs you carry because of it.
Desensitization – This is where the bilateral stimulation begins as you revisit the memory or feeling state.
Installation – We strengthen a more adaptive belief to replace the old one (e.g., “I am safe” instead of “I’m powerless”).
Body Scan – You check in to see if the memory or urge still triggers any tension or discomfort.
Closure – Each session ends with grounding techniques to help you leave feeling stable.
Reevaluation – At the next session, we check on how things are landing and decide where to go next.

How EMDR Helps with Addictive Urges

In addictions work, we often target the positive feeling states that drive behaviors. Whether it’s seeking euphoria, belonging, or validation, EMDR and FSP help reduce the intensity of those cravings. This creates an opening for healthier choices, giving clients the tools to shift toward sustainable, positive behaviors.

What Happens During Bilateral Stimulation?

You might follow a light with your eyes, tap your hands, or wear headphones with alternating tones. It’s gentle and fully adjustable to what feels right for you. I always move at your pace—this isn’t about diving into trauma unprepared.

How EMDR Feels Emotionally and Physically

Clients often report feeling lighter, more centered, or deeply tired after sessions. Some experience emotional releases, while others feel subtle shifts that build over time. In my experience, everyone’s nervous system has its own rhythm—and that’s okay.

EMDR Therapy in Walnut Creek: Why Go Local?

Benefits of Working with a Local Therapist

There’s something reassuring about having your therapist nearby. You’re not commuting across the Bay or working with someone who doesn’t understand the pace of life here. Walnut Creek is unique—EMDR with a local therapist means contextual support, continuity, and accessibility.

How Bedrock Therapies Supports You

At Bedrock Therapies, we specialize in EMDR as part of a broader, body-centered approach. We often combine EMDR with somatic therapy, TEAM CBT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and the Feeling-State Addiction Protocol (FSP) to help clients heal from trauma and overcome addictive behaviors, especially related to alcohol, cannabis, and pornography. Our goal is to help you not just break free from urges, but also reconnect with healthy, life-affirming alternatives for the feelings you seek, like belonging, being “good enough,” or feeling seen and heard.

Explore our Flash Technique used in EMDR

Ready to Begin EMDR in Walnut Creek?

Schedule a Free Consultation

Getting started is often the hardest part. If you’re unsure or curious, reach out. We’ll talk through what EMDR could look like for you—no pressure, just connection.

What Happens in the First Appointment?

You’ll meet with me or one of our experienced therapists to discuss your needs, history, and goals. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of whether EMDR feels like a fit.

FAQs About EMDR Therapy

What is EMDR therapy in simple terms?

It’s a way to help your brain finish processing painful memories or urges so they stop disrupting your present.

Is EMDR therapy effective for anxiety and addiction?

Yes. By targeting the root experiences and feeling states that fuel anxious patterns and cravings, EMDR often brings relief where other methods haven’t.

How does EMDR therapy work for trauma and habits?

It creates space between you and the trigger, helping you feel more in control, less overwhelmed, and more like yourself again.

How many EMDR sessions will I need?

Some people experience shifts in a few sessions, while others benefit from a longer process. We’ll tailor the journey to what you need.

Learn More & Take the Next Step

Curious about how EMDR fits into a larger trauma-healing or addiction recovery framework? Explore our deep dive into EMDR Flash Technique, or read about how we support healing through Internal Family Systems therapy.

Let’s Talk

Have questions about whether EMDR is the right fit for your story? Reach out. I’d love to help you explore your next step forward.