EMDR Therapy in Nashville & Mt. Juliet, TN
Evidence-based trauma processing for reproductive trauma, birth trauma, and perinatal loss.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the most researched and effective treatments for trauma available. It works when talking alone doesn't — by processing the experiences your nervous system is still carrying.
Schedule a Free ConsultationWhat Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It was developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro and has since become one of the most extensively researched psychotherapy approaches in the world — endorsed by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
EMDR is based on the understanding that trauma is stored differently in the brain than ordinary memories. When an experience is overwhelming, the brain's normal processing system can become disrupted, leaving the traumatic memory “stuck” in an unprocessed state. This is why trauma survivors can be triggered by sensory cues that seem unrelated to the original event — the memory remains raw, as if it's still happening.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — typically eye movements — to engage the brain's natural processing system and allow the traumatic memory to be integrated and resolved. Most clients find that after successful EMDR processing, they can recall the traumatic event without the same emotional charge — they know it happened, but it no longer hijacks them.
What EMDR Looks Like in Sessions
EMDR is a structured therapy with distinct phases. The beginning phases focus on assessment, history-taking, and developing resources — the internal tools that help you stay regulated during processing. No trauma processing begins until these foundations are in place.
During processing, I'll ask you to bring to mind a specific memory, image, or belief — and then guide you through sets of bilateral stimulation while you notice what comes up. The process doesn't require you to talk through everything in detail. Many clients find this to be a significant relief — you don't have to re-narrate the story over and over.
Sessions end with stabilization, ensuring you feel grounded before leaving.
EMDR for Reproductive and Perinatal Trauma
EMDR is particularly powerful for the kinds of trauma that perinatal experiences can leave behind.
Birth Trauma
Traumatic births — emergencies, unexpected interventions, feeling unheard or unsafe, a birth that didn't go as expected — can leave lasting PTSD symptoms. EMDR is particularly effective here.
Traumatic Pregnancy Loss
Miscarriage, stillbirth, TFMR, and neonatal loss can be traumatic — especially when the physical experience was frightening. EMDR helps grief move through rather than stay frozen.
Infertility & Procedure-Related Trauma
Repeated medical procedures, failed cycles, and the cumulative trauma of infertility create a body-level trauma response. EMDR addresses the specific stuck moments.
NICU & Medical Trauma
Days, weeks, or months of watching your baby fight in a NICU is a traumatic experience. The sights, sounds, and moments of terror don't simply fade when the baby comes home.
EMDR Alongside Other Approaches
I integrate EMDR with other evidence-based approaches as clinically appropriate:
- IFS (Internal Family Systems) — to understand and work with the different parts of you that may be holding the trauma
- DBT skills — to build the distress tolerance and emotional regulation needed to engage with trauma processing
- Somatic awareness — to connect with how trauma is held in the body, not just the mind
Frequently Asked Questions
You don't have to keep reliving it.
Let's talk about whether EMDR is the right approach for what you're carrying.
No commitment required · Completely confidential