EMDR Therapy: A Transformative Approach to Healing in Murrysville, PA
Have you ever felt stuck in the aftermath of a difficult experience, like your mind and body just can't seem to move forward? You're not alone. Many of us carry the weight of past experiences that continue to affect our daily lives in surprising ways.
At Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy, our group practice offers Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as a powerful path forward. This innovative approach helps people heal from emotional distress through a structured, evidence-based protocol. Therapy EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—typically eye movements, gentle taps, or alternating tones—to help your brain naturally process traumatic memories that have become "stuck" in your nervous system.
What is EMDR Therapy?
When Francine Shapiro first discovered EMDR in 1987 during a walk in the park, she noticed that her disturbing thoughts diminished when her eyes moved back and forth. This observation led her to develop what would become one of the most researched and validated trauma treatments available today.
At its core, EMDR therapy is based on the Adaptive Information Processing model, which recognizes that our brains naturally move toward mental health—just like our bodies heal physical wounds. Trauma interrupts this natural healing process, leaving memories stored with the original emotions, physical sensations, and beliefs intact. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing helps resume this natural healing process.
The American Psychiatric Association, World Health Organization, American Psychological Association, and Department of Veterans Affairs have all recognized EMDR therapy as an effective treatment. Why? Because it works—often more quickly and with less discomfort than traditional approaches like prolonged exposure therapy.
What makes EMDR practice unique is that you don't need to talk in detail about disturbing events, complete extensive homework, or endure extended exposure to triggers. Instead, therapy EMDR creates the conditions for your brain to process traumatic experiences in a new, healthier way.
Most people find that single traumatic events can often be processed in 3-6 sessions, while more complex or developmental trauma may require 8-12 sessions or more. The exact timeline is always personalized to your specific needs and healing journey.
One of the most beautiful aspects of EMDR is how it treats the whole person—acknowledging the profound connection between brain, body, and mind. It shifts the narrative from "what's wrong with you" to "what happened to you," offering a compassionate framework for healing psychological trauma.
The results can be remarkable. Research shows that 84-90% of single-trauma victims no longer meet criteria for a PTSD diagnosis after just three 90-minute sessions. Many clients report significant relief even sooner, noticing improvements in sleep, mood, and their ability to handle overwhelming feelings.
At Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy, our team includes multiple EMDRIA-certified therapists who specialize in therapy EMDR along with other complementary approaches like somatic work to help process stress responses that may be trapped in your nervous system. We understand that each person's journey is unique, which is why we offer both traditional weekly sessions and intensive formats to fit your specific needs and circumstances.
History & Development of EMDR
From that initial park observation in 1987, Shapiro didn't simply trust her intuition – she put her discovery to the test. By 1989, she had published her first controlled study in the Journal of Traumatic Stress, providing early evidence of EMDR therapy's effectiveness for trauma survivors. Shapiro developed EMDR in relation to the Adaptive Information Processing model, which she created to understand how traumatic memories are stored by the brain and the need for proper processing to enable healing after traumatic stress.
What began as a simple technique evolved over the next three decades into a comprehensive psychotherapy approach with standardized protocols. The therapy's growth has been remarkable – by 2013, the World Health Organization recognized EMDR as an effective treatment for post traumatic stress disorder. Today, desensitization and reprocessing EMDR carries impressive endorsements from:
The American Psychological Association (conditionally recommended for PTSD treatment)
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense (strongly recommended)
The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK
With more than 30 controlled outcome studies validating its effectiveness, EMDR therapy has become a global phenomenon, with over 100,000 clinicians worldwide now trained in this approach.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
While researchers continue to explore exactly how EMDR therapy creates such powerful healing, several compelling theories have emerged:
The working memory taxation theory suggests that recalling disturbing events while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation taxes your working memory, making the memory less vivid and emotionally charged.
Some researchers note the similarity between EMDR's eye movements and REM sleep patterns, suggesting movement desensitization and reprocessing may tap into the brain's natural overnight emotional processing systems.
Neural reconsolidation research indicates EMDR therapy may disrupt how traumatic memories are reconsolidated, allowing them to be stored with new, less distressing associations.
The interhemispheric communication theory proposes that bilateral stimulation improves communication between the brain's hemispheres, facilitating better information processing.
In practical terms, during a typical EMDR therapy session at our Murrysville practice, you'll briefly focus on a trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation. This dual-attention process helps your brain process the stuck memory, reducing its emotional intensity and allowing it to be stored as a regular memory rather than an emotionally charged one.
EMDR and Other Therapeutic Modalities
At Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy, we believe in offering a variety of evidence-based approaches to mental health conditions. Here's how EMDR therapy complements other modalities we offer:
Somatic Therapies and EMDR both recognize how traumatic stress lives in the body, but EMDR adds the structured therapy protocol of bilateral stimulation to help process these body-based traumatic memories.
While Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) primarily addresses relationship patterns, EMDR can help heal the underlying individual traumas that often feed relationship difficulties.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) and EMDR form a powerful combination – IFS helps identify and understand different "parts" of yourself, while EMDR processes the upsetting memories these parts may be carrying.
Both Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and EMDR target trauma, but they take different routes. CPT focuses more on identifying and challenging negative emotions, while EMDR therapy focuses on processing the targeted memory itself through bilateral stimulation.
Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) can be particularly effective when combined with EMDR, as it helps regulate the nervous system and create safety, making EMDR processing more effective.
Group Therapy can provide valuable support and connection while individual EMDR therapy sessions address personal trauma, creating a comprehensive trauma treatment experience.
The World Health Organization highlights this distinction between EMDR and trauma focused cognitive-behavioral therapy, noting that "Like CBT with a trauma focus, EMDR aims to reduce subjective distress and strengthen adaptive beliefs related to the traumatic event. Unlike CBT with a trauma focus, EMDR does not involve (a) detailed descriptions of the event, (b) direct challenging of beliefs, (c) extended exposure or (d) homework."
This is one reason many of our clients in Murrysville find therapy EMDR so accessible – it doesn't require homework or detailed trauma narratives to be effective. Your brain knows how to heal; EMDR therapy simply helps remove the blocks that have been preventing that natural healing.
The Eight Phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy follows a structured eight-phase treatment approach that creates a safe, effective roadmap for healing. Think of it as your journey from identifying what's troubling you to finding resolution and peace. This thoughtful approach ensures nothing gets missed along the way.
At Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy, our clinicians are deeply trained in this protocol. We'll adapt it to your unique needs while staying true to what makes EMDR so effective. While the phases generally flow in order, we often circle back as needed – healing isn't always linear, and that's perfectly okay.
Phase 1 – History-Taking & Treatment Planning
Your healing journey begins with getting to know you. During this initial phase, your therapist will have meaningful conversations about your current challenges, past traumatic events, and hopes for therapy.
We'll explore what brings you in – whether it's anxiety disorders that keep you up at night, traumatic memories that won't leave you alone, or relationship patterns you can't seem to break. Together, we'll identify potential memories to process, including past painful experiences, current situations that trigger distress, and worries about the future.
"This foundation-building phase is so important," explains one of our EMDR specialists. "We're not just collecting information – we're beginning to map out your healing journey and building trust that will carry us through the more challenging work ahead."
Phase 2 – Preparation & Resourcing
Before diving into processing distressing life experiences, we'll make sure you have emotional tools to stay grounded. Think of this phase as packing your backpack for the journey ahead.
You'll learn several self-regulation techniques like creating a mental "Safe Place" you can visit anytime overwhelming feelings become too much. We might practice a "Container Exercise" to temporarily set aside intense emotions, or explore grounding techniques that bring you back to the present moment when memories pull you into the past.
At our practice, we take preparation seriously. We might spend several sessions building these resources before moving forward – this investment makes the later processing work smoother and more effective.
Phase 3 – Assessment
Now we'll select a specific trauma memory to process and gather important information about it. Your therapist will help you identify:
The most distressing image from the memory, along with the negative belief you developed about yourself because of this disturbing event (like "I'm not safe" or "I'm powerless").
We'll also identify a positive belief you'd prefer to hold instead (such as "I can protect myself now" or "I have choices").
You'll share what emotions and physical sensations arise when you recall this memory.
Using two simple scales, you'll rate both your level of subjective distress (SUD scale: 0-10) and how true the positive belief feels (VOC scale: 1-7).
These ratings aren't just numbers – they help us track your progress and celebrate your healing as we move forward.
Phase 4 – Desensitization: EMDR in Action
This is where the unique power of therapy EMDR truly shines. Your therapist will guide you to briefly hold the targeted memory in mind while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation – usually eye movements, taps, or tones that alternate from side to side. This phase is particularly effective for processing distressing life experiences, which can lead to psychological issues like PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
After each set of stimulation (typically lasting about 30 seconds), your therapist will simply ask, "What are you noticing now?" Your response guides the next set as your brain naturally makes connections and processes the experience.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, you won't need to analyze what's happening or explain everything in detail. Your brain knows how to heal – the bilateral stimulation just helps remove the blocks that have been preventing that natural healing process.
This process continues until your distress level decreases significantly – often to a 0 or 1 on that 0-10 scale.
Phase 5 – Installation of Positive Beliefs
Once the emotional sting of the trauma memory has decreased, we'll strengthen your connection to the positive belief you identified earlier. You'll hold the original memory in mind along with the positive belief (like "I am worthy" or "I can trust my judgment") while engaging in additional sets of bilateral stimulation.
This phase is where change really takes root. We're not just removing pain – we're installing wisdom and strength in its place. The positive belief gradually becomes more believable until it feels completely true (reaching a 7 on the VOC scale).
Phase 6 – Body Scan
Our bodies often hold traumatic stress even after our thoughts and emotions have shifted. In this important phase, you'll scan your body while holding the targeted memory and positive belief in mind, noticing if there's any remaining tension or discomfort.
If you identify lingering physical sensations – perhaps tightness in your chest or a knot in your stomach – these become the focus of additional bilateral stimulation until your body feels calm and relaxed when recalling the traumatic experience.
At Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy, we place special emphasis on this somatic component. We understand that true healing must include the body, not just the mind. This body-centered approach is one reason our clients often experience such complete resolution of their PTSD symptoms.
Phase 7 – Closure
Every EMDR therapy session ends with proper closure, whether processing is complete or will continue next time. Your therapist will guide you through stabilization exercises if needed and remind you that processing may continue between sessions.
You might receive simple journaling prompts to track any new insights that emerge in the days following your session. Most importantly, we'll ensure you feel grounded and present before you leave our office.
"Processing doesn't mean constantly talking about the difficult memory," explains our director. "It means allowing your brain to digest and properly store experiences that have been causing problems. Sometimes this happens outside of EMDR sessions, as your brain continues making connections."
We'll always make sure you have support tools for managing any emotions that might arise between appointments.
Phase 8 – Re-evaluation: Keeping EMDR on Track
At the beginning of each new session, we'll check in about your experience since we last met. Did the improvements from last session hold? Have new memories or aspects of the original memory surfaced? How are you feeling overall?
This ongoing assessment ensures your EMDR therapy stays responsive to your needs and continues moving toward your goals. It allows us to address any challenges that arise and celebrate the progress you're making, even when it's subtle.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?
When new clients ask about EMDR therapy, they're often surprised by how versatile this approach really is. While EMDR began as a treatment specifically for posttraumatic stress disorder, we've seen remarkable results across a wide spectrum of mental health conditions at Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy.
Beyond trauma treatment, EMDR therapy has proven effective for a variety of issues, including:
Anxiety disorders – helping calm the nervous system's overactive alarm system
Depression – addressing the negative core beliefs and past experiences that often fuel depressive episodes
PTSD – processing traumatic memories that continue to intrude on daily life
Phobias – processing the fear responses that make everyday situations overwhelming
Grief and complicated loss – processing stuck emotions and traumatic aspects of loss
Performance anxiety – clearing blocks that prevent you from showing up as your best self
Chronic pain – addressing the emotional components that can amplify physical discomfort
At our center, we've successfully used EMDR with adults navigating life transitions, couples healing from relationship wounds, teens struggling with social anxiety, and children processing difficult experiences. The protocol adapts wonderfully to different ages and needs.
Good Candidates for EMDR Therapy
While EMDR therapy offers powerful healing potential, it's not a one-size-fits-all approach. During your initial consultation, we'll carefully assess whether EMDR is the right fit for where you are right now.
EMDR tends to work best for people who:
Have basic emotional regulation skills – the ability to calm yourself when distressed
Can maintain dual attention – focusing simultaneously on memories and bilateral stimulation
Have reasonable life stability – enough security to process potentially difficult material
Sometimes we recommend starting with resourcing and stabilization work before diving into memory processing. This preparation ensures you have the inner strength and external support needed for successful trauma work. EMDR therapy is also effective even for individuals who do not fully meet the criteria for a posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis, addressing symptoms related to various disturbing events.
There are also situations where we might move cautiously or recommend other therapies initially:
If you experience significant dissociation – we may need to strengthen grounding skills first
During active substance dependence – stabilization typically comes before trauma processing
With certain medical conditions – we'll consult with your healthcare providers to ensure safety
When facing acute psychiatric symptoms – immediate stabilization needs often take priority
These aren't absolute contraindications, but factors we consider thoughtfully. At Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy, we pride ourselves on creating individualized treatment plans that meet you exactly where you are.
EMDR for Children & Adolescents
Children and teens often respond beautifully to EMDR therapy – sometimes even more quickly than adults! Their brains are naturally flexible, and they typically have fewer years of reinforced patterns to address.
For our youngest clients, we adapt the standard EMDR protocol in playful, engaging ways:
Instead of traditional eye movements, we might use "butterfly taps" (crossing arms and alternately tapping shoulders) or handheld buzzers that alternate gentle vibrations from left to right.
Art and play often become part of the process – drawing the traumatic memory, creating a "safe place" scene, or using puppets to tell their story.
With teens, the approach looks more like adult EMDR therapy but with age-appropriate language and examples that connect to their world. Many teens appreciate that EMDR doesn't require endless talking about difficult experiences – a relief for those who find traditional talk therapy uncomfortable.
Parents and caregivers play important roles too. We'll guide you on how to support your child's healing journey, recognizing that trauma healing happens not just in our office but within the safety of your family system.
Typical Treatment Timelines
One of the most common questions we hear is: "How long will this take?" While everyone's healing journey is unique, research and our clinical experience offer some helpful guidelines.
For single-incident traumas (like a car accident or medical procedure), many people experience significant relief in fewer sessions than with other therapies – often 3-6 typical EMDR therapy sessions. For more complex situations involving multiple trauma victims or developmental trauma, a more typical range is 8-12+ sessions, though this varies widely based on individual factors.
Standard EMDR therapy sessions at Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy typically last 60-90 minutes and occur weekly or biweekly. This pacing allows for processing between sessions while maintaining momentum.
For those seeking a more accelerated approach, we proudly offer EMDR Intensive Therapy – longer sessions or multiple sessions scheduled close together. These intensives can accomplish in days or weeks what might otherwise take months of weekly therapy, making them ideal for those with limited time, who are traveling from a distance, or who simply want to move through their healing process more quickly.
Whether you choose traditional weekly sessions or an intensive format, we'll work together to create a treatment plan that honors your unique needs, circumstances, and goals.
Evidence Supporting EMDR Therapy
When clients ask us about EMDR at Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy, we're always honest about the science behind it. The evidence supporting EMDR therapy is robust, particularly for treating PTSD. Multiple meta-analyses and systematic reviews have found EMDR comparable to trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), which many consider the gold standard for trauma treatment. Numerous studies have shown that EMDR therapy is highly effective for treating post traumatic stress disorder.
This isn't just our opinion – major organizations agree. The Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense give EMDR their "strongly recommended" rating for PTSD treatment in their treatment guidelines, their highest possible endorsement. The World Health Organization similarly recognizes EMDR as an effective treatment approach for psychological trauma.
The numbers speak volumes about EMDR's effectiveness:
Studies show 84-90% of single-trauma victims no longer had PTSD symptoms after just three 90-minute EMDR sessions
Research demonstrates that 77% of combat veterans were free of PTSD symptoms after 12 sessions
Meta-analyses consistently show large effect sizes for PTSD symptom reduction
Advantages of EMDR Over Traditional Talk Therapy
What makes EMDR different from traditional talk therapy or exposure therapy? Our clients often tell us they appreciate several key differences:
Less verbal description required. One of the biggest relief points for many trauma survivors is that they don't need to describe traumatic events in excruciating detail. This reduces the risk of feeling retraumatized during therapy.
No homework assignments. Unlike many trauma focused cognitive-behavioral approaches that require daily practice exercises, EMDR typically doesn't involve formal homework between sessions.
Quicker results for many people. We regularly see clients experience significant shifts in fewer sessions than they've had with traditional therapy approaches. EMDR therapy often leads to positive outcomes, including rapid symptom reduction and improved emotional well-being.
True body-mind integration. EMDR addresses both cognitive beliefs and how trauma is stored in the body, creating more complete healing.
Your brain leads the healing. Rather than the therapist interpreting your experience, EMDR creates the conditions for your brain to do its own healing with minimal therapist interference.
What to Expect During EMDR Therapy
Taking the first step toward EMDR therapy can feel both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. At Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy, we've created a warm, supportive environment to guide you through every stage of the healing journey.
When you reach out to us, we'll start with a thoughtful initial consultation to understand your unique story, concerns, and goals. This helps us determine if EMDR therapy aligns with your needs or if another approach to mental health might serve you better. EMDR therapy sessions are structured and evidence-based, designed for rapid treatment of psychological trauma.
Before diving into any processing work, we dedicate time to building your emotional toolkit. These preparation sessions ensure you have reliable coping skills and resources to steer any overwhelming feelings that might arise during therapy. This foundation of safety is non-negotiable in our approach—we move at your pace, always.
Choosing EMDR Therapy in Murrysville
For residents of Murrysville and surrounding communities, finding the right EMDR therapy provider is an important decision. At Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy, our group practice offers distinct advantages that support your healing journey:
Specialized expertise means you'll work with clinicians who have extensive clinical practice specifically in trauma treatment and EMDR therapy. All our EMDR therapists meet or exceed the rigorous standards set by EMDRIA (EMDR International Association), the governing body that ensures quality training and ethical practice.
Collaborative team approach allows us to draw on diverse perspectives and specializations. While you'll work primarily with one therapist who gets to know you deeply, complex situations might benefit from our therapists consulting with each other (with your permission) to provide the most effective care.
Personalized treatment planning recognizes that no two people experience trauma in exactly the same way. We carefully tailor the EMDR protocol to your specific needs, history, and goals—there's no cookie-cutter approach here.
Integrated modalities mean we can complement your EMDR work with other evidence-based approaches when beneficial. This might include somatic techniques, parts work, or cognitive strategies, creating a truly comprehensive healing experience.
We accept many insurance plans for standard weekly EMDR sessions, making quality trauma treatment more accessible. For our specialized EMDR Intensives, payment is typically self-pay. We're always happy to discuss options and provide clarity about costs—just reach out for a conversation about what might work for your situation.
Conclusion: Your Path to Healing
EMDR therapy offers a transformative path toward healing that's unlike traditional approaches. At Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy, we've witnessed how movement desensitization and reprocessing helps people move beyond their past traumas toward a more peaceful present and hopeful future.
Through the eight-phase treatment approach and bilateral stimulation, EMDR therapy works with your brain's natural healing abilities to process memories that have remained stuck in your nervous system. The beauty of this reprocessing therapy lies in its efficiency and gentleness—you don't need to repeatedly recount painful details or complete extensive homework between sessions.
Whether you're dealing with a single traumatic event or complex trauma that's developed over years, our team of specialized clinicians in Murrysville can tailor the EMDR therapy experience to your unique needs. We offer both traditional weekly sessions and our innovative EMDR Intensives for those seeking a more immersive healing experience.
Your journey of healing from trauma isn't just about eliminating what's painful—it's about creating space for what's possible when you're no longer defined by your past experiences.
We invite you to take that first courageous step toward change. Your healing journey is uniquely yours, and we're here to support you every step of the way.