Specialized Treatment
EMDR Therapy in Woodland Hills
Reprocess painful memories and release what trauma has held onto.
EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is one of the most effective, research-backed treatments for trauma and anxiety. If you feel stuck in patterns that trace back to painful experiences, EMDR can help your brain finally process those memories so they stop controlling your present.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is a treatment for trauma and anxiety that involves retrieving memories from the hippocampus and bringing them to the pre-frontal cortex. The two structures of the brain interact and update the memory, and then re-encode it into the hippocampus. It may sound technical, but it is a gentle technique that has been proven to reduce distress and activation resulting from past trauma. You don't have to relive every detail, your brain does the healing work with guidance.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR?
EMDR is highly effective for individuals who have experienced childhood abuse, traumatic events, anxiety, phobias, grief, or distressing memories that feel stuck. It is especially helpful when talk therapy alone hasn't been enough, when you know something is holding you back but can't quite reach it with words. Many clients describe a sense of lightness and relief after processing memories that once felt unbearable.
What to Expect in an EMDR Session
In our sessions, you remain fully in control. I guide you through a structured eight-phase process that begins with building resources and safety, then gradually moves into processing targeted memories using bilateral stimulation, typically eye movements, taps, or tones. The pace is always yours. We check in constantly, and you can pause at any time. EMDR is not about pushing through pain; it's about letting your brain complete what it needs to heal.
Ready to Begin?
Taking the first step is the bravest. Dr. Dean is here to hold space for you.
Schedule an Appointment