Why EMDR Might Be Right for You — Even If You’ve Tried Talk Therapy Before

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Have you ever been frustrated with yourself because you keep getting triggered by the same things, over and over again? Maybe you notice a pattern of getting into the same types of relationships, even though you know better. Or you continue to have big, emotional reactions to situations that feel like they shouldn’t be a big deal.

If that sounds familiar, you may find yourself saying to yourself or your friends “I know it’s silly but....” especially if you’ve been in therapy previously and think you should be past these things by now.

Many people who come to me for EMDR therapy in Denver have already spent months or years in talk therapy. They’ve gained awareness, learned coping skills, and made progress—but certain memories, emotions, or patterns still feel stuck.

That’s where EMDR can make a real difference.

What Makes EMDR Different

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a structured, evidence-based approach designed to help your brain process distressing experiences that didn’t fully resolve at the time they happened.

While traditional talk therapy focuses on insight and reflection, EMDR goes deeper by involving the brain’s natural healing mechanisms. It uses bilateral stimulation (often eye movements, gentle taps, or sounds) to help both sides of the brain communicate and process information more completely.

In other words: EMDR helps the emotional part of your brain catch up with the logical part that already knows you’re safe.

For example, maybe part of you knows that a past relationship, a difficult childhood experience, or a specific event is over. But another part still reacts with anxiety, shame, or fear as if it’s happening right now. EMDR helps bridge that gap so your mind and body can finally work together rather than against each other.

When Talk Therapy Helps—But Only So Much

Talk therapy can be a powerful first step. It gives you space to reflect, understand patterns, and feel supported by another human being. In some cases, this might be exactly what is needed. But sometimes, insight alone isn’t enough to create real emotional relief.

You might notice:

• You can talk about a past traumatic or upsetting experience but feel disconnected or numb.

• You’ve learned coping tools, but your initial reactions to triggers are still coming from a place of fear.

• You intellectually “get it,” but it doesn’t change how you feel.

• You’ve made progress in some areas, but certain memories or themes keep resurfacing.

It’s not that talk therapy “failed”—it’s that some experiences live deeper than words. EMDR can access those layers in a way that’s still safe and contained, helping your brain file those experiences away as “something that happened” instead of “something that’s still happening.”

What EMDR Therapy Can Help With

EMDR is often associated with trauma treatment, but it’s also effective for many forms of distress that stem from painful experiences, even if they don’t meet the definition of trauma.

Clients in my Denver practice often use EMDR to work through:

• Anxiety or panic that feels rooted in past experiences

• Low self-worth or harsh self-criticism

• Emotional reactions that feel bigger than the situation

• Relationship patterns that keep repeating

• Feelings of shame or guilt that won’t go away

• Religious trauma or painful spiritual experiences

These struggles are often symptoms of unprocessed memories or emotions that the brain is still trying to make sense of. EMDR gives those memories a chance to be fully digested—so they stop showing up as anxiety, self-criticism, or emotional overwhelm.

What to Expect in EMDR Therapy

If you decide to explore EMDR therapy in Denver, the process begins with a free consultation—a short meet-and-greet where we’ll see if working together feels like a good fit. We’ll talk about what’s bringing you in, what EMDR might look like for your specific goals, and review details like scheduling and payment.

If we decide to move forward, the first few sessions focus on getting to know you—your background, what’s been most difficult lately, and what you’d like to feel differently about. We’ll also build emotional regulation skills so you feel grounded and safe before starting reprocessing work.

When it’s time for EMDR reprocessing, I’ll guide you through brief sets of bilateral stimulation (often eye movements or gentle alternating taps) while you focus on an image, thought, or feeling related to the memory we’re targeting. You’re fully awake and in control the entire time.

The goal isn’t to relive the memory—it’s to help your brain finish the processing it couldn’t do before. Over time, many people notice the memory feels less charged, less vivid, and more like something that simply happened.

EMDR Therapy Is Collaborative

One of the biggest misconceptions about EMDR is that it’s mechanical or rigid. In reality, every session is personalized.

We move at your pace.
We pause when needed.
We check in regularly to ensure you feel supported and safe.

No two people process experiences the same way, so EMDR is never one-size-fits-all. Sometimes we work directly on specific memories. Other times, we focus on negative self-beliefs that were shaped by years of subtle experiences—like “I’m not enough” or “I have to handle everything alone.”

Throughout the process, you’ll have an active voice in what we focus on and how we approach it.

Finding EMDR Therapy in Denver

If you’ve been curious about EMDR therapy near you, Denver offers many options—but what matters most is finding a therapist you feel safe with. EMDR works best when you feel grounded, supported, and understood by the person guiding you through it.

I offer both in-person and online EMDR therapy for adults throughout Colorado. Whether you prefer the comfort of your home or an in-office setting, we’ll create an environment that feels right for you.

You Don’t Have to Stay Stuck

If talk therapy has helped you understand your story but not fully shift it, EMDR might be the next step toward deeper healing.

It’s not about erasing your past—it’s about helping your mind and body finally agree that it’s over.

When you’re ready, the first step is to schedule a free consultation. From there, we can talk through what EMDR therapy might look like for you and whether it feels like a good fit.