You may have heard about EMDR from a friend, another therapist, or something you read online. Perhaps you’re curious about whether it could help, but the idea of beginning brings up questions. Will I have to talk about everything that happened? What if I become overwhelmed? Will we start working with difficult memories right away? Knowing a little more about the beginning of therapy can help you decide what you want to ask and what matters to you in choosing a therapist. Here is what those first sessions may involve, and how I approach this work at A Grounding Place, LLC.
We begin by getting to know you
Your first appointments give us time to understand what brings you to therapy and what you hope might change. We may talk about the experiences that continue to affect you, what feels difficult in your daily life, and the support you already have. I’ll also want to understand what has helped in the past, what has felt unhelpful, and anything you would like me to know about working with you.
You can begin with what feels most important today. That might be a particular memory, a pattern you’ve noticed, or a simple statement such as, “I’ve been feeling on edge, and I’m tired.” This conversation helps us consider whether EMDR is appropriate for your needs and develop a treatment plan together.
If you would like an introduction to the approach itself, you can read What Is EMDR Therapy? How It Helps the Brain Heal After Trauma.
Preparation is part of EMDR therapy
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It follows an eight-phase approach that includes understanding your history, preparing for the work, processing selected experiences, and reviewing how you are doing. During preparation, your therapist explains the process and helps you develop ways to manage distress. You also become familiar with the procedures that may be used later, including guided eye movements or other forms of alternating stimulation.
In our work together, we may explore ways to notice when you’re becoming overwhelmed, reconnect with the present, and communicate when you need something to change. We’ll pay attention to which approaches feel useful to you. You’re welcome to say when an exercise feels uncomfortable or doesn’t help. That feedback gives us something important to work with as we prepare.
You can ask about how much you need to share
One concern people may have is whether EMDR requires telling their entire story in detail. EMDR generally does not require a detailed verbal account of everything that happened. Your therapist still needs enough information to understand your concerns, assess your needs, and guide treatment. Memory processing also involves bringing attention to aspects of distressing experiences.
We can discuss what that means before beginning. If you are worried about a particular subject, you can tell me that you have concerns without immediately explaining every detail. A statement such as, “There is something I may want to work on, but I’m nervous about talking about it,” can give us a place to start.
We discuss readiness together
There is no single preparation schedule that fits everyone. We’ll consider your current circumstances, the experiences you want to address, your available supports, and how you are responding to our work. You can ask how we will decide when to begin memory processing and how we will review that decision along the way.
EMDR can bring up uncomfortable emotions or sensations. Having choices remains important throughout the process: you can ask questions, request a pause, and use an agreed signal to stop. You might tell me, “I want to understand what happens next,” or, “I need us to slow down.” We can make room for that conversation.
Online EMDR includes practical preparation
I offer online EMDR therapy for adults throughout Colorado. Before beginning, we’ll consider whether telehealth fits your needs and whether you have a private space where you can participate. We’ll also talk through the technology, how we will communicate during the session, and what to do if our connection drops. Privacy and a plan for interruptions are important parts of preparing for online work. You can ask how eye movements or alternating stimulation would work through video. There is time to explain and practice the setup with your therapist. If possible, consider leaving a little space after an appointment before your next obligation. You can also discuss what support or follow-up would be appropriate between sessions.
Your questions belong in the conversation
You don’t need to arrive already knowing the terminology or feeling certain about EMDR. A consultation or early appointment can be a place to explore your questions.
You might ask:
How do you decide whether EMDR is appropriate for someone?
What might preparation look like for me?
How will we respond if I feel overwhelmed?
How will we review whether therapy is helping?
What other approaches could we consider?
The answers can help you understand both the treatment and the person offering it. You are also welcome to talk about preferences, past therapy experiences, fees, and scheduling.
Beginning EMDR therapy in Colorado
At A Grounding Place, LLC, I offer online therapy for Colorado adults navigating trauma, grief, and difficult life experiences. My approach emphasizes collaboration, thoughtful preparation, and attention to your needs and preferences.
You can learn more about EMDR therapy with me and review fees and insurance information.
If you’re curious about working together, you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. We can discuss what you’re looking for, make room for your questions, and explore whether my approach feels like a fit.