What Is EMDR Therapy? A Trauma Therapist in San Diego Explains How It Works
If you feel stuck in past experiences that keep showing up in your present, you’re not alone.
You may have tried talk therapy, self-help tools, or mindfulness only to find that the same emotional reactions and patterns keep resurfacing. That’s where EMDR therapy can help.
At Holistic Flow Therapy in San Diego, I offer EMDR therapy to help clients heal from trauma, anxiety, and attachment wounds by working with the nervous system, not just the mind. If you’re looking for a way to process the past and move forward with clarity and calm, EMDR may be the approach you’ve been searching for.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s an evidence-based therapy originally developed to treat PTSD, but it’s now widely used for anxiety, complex trauma (CPTSD), and emotional distress rooted in past experiences.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses less on talking about your trauma and more on processing it. Through a series of structured phases and bilateral stimulation like eye movements or tapping, EMDR helps your brain “digest” unresolved experiences so they no longer feel overwhelming or stuck.
How EMDR Helps With Trauma
When we go through something distressing, especially as children, our brain and body may not fully process the experience. These unprocessed memories can get stored in the nervous system and resurface later as anxiety, emotional reactivity, or a constant sense that something is “off.”
EMDR works by activating the brain’s natural healing mechanisms. Through bilateral stimulation, your brain is able to reprocess the memory, reduce its emotional charge, and integrate it in a healthier way. Over time, the things that once triggered you can begin to feel more neutral, less charged, and easier to navigate.
What to Expect in an EMDR Session
EMDR isn’t just about eye movements. It’s a structured, trauma-informed process. At Holistic Flow Therapy, EMDR sessions typically involve:
Phase 1: Preparation and Resourcing
We build a foundation of safety, using calming techniques and inner resourcing tools like visualizations, parts work, or somatic awareness.
Phase 2: Target Identification
We identify memories or experiences that are connected to current symptoms, emotions, or relationship struggles.
Phase 3: Reprocessing
Using bilateral stimulation, we activate the brain’s healing process while staying grounded and connected.
Phase 4: Integration
We check in with how things are shifting and create space for reflection, meaning, and closure.
Sessions are always paced with your nervous system in mind. EMDR doesn’t mean diving into trauma before you’re ready. My goal is to help you feel safe, supported, and empowered every step of the way.
Who Is EMDR For?
EMDR is especially helpful for:
Complex PTSD and childhood trauma
Emotional neglect or chronic invalidation
Attachment wounds and relationship struggles
Anxiety, panic, and emotional overwhelm
Medical or sexual trauma
Shame, low self-worth, and stuck patterns
You don’t need to have a single “big trauma” for EMDR to be helpful. Many clients I work with have histories of subtle, chronic emotional pain that traditional therapy couldn’t quite reach. EMDR helps get to the root.
Is EMDR Right for Me?
If you’ve tried to think your way out of anxiety or trauma and it hasn’t worked, it’s not your fault. These patterns are stored in your body and nervous system, not just your thoughts. EMDR offers a way to process what happened and feel more like yourself again.
Whether you’re navigating relationship triggers, panic attacks, or a sense of being too much or not enough, EMDR can help create deep, lasting change.
EMDR Therapy at Holistic Flow Therapy
As a trauma therapist in San Diego, I use EMDR as part of a holistic, integrative approach. This often includes Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic tools, and mindfulness practices. Our work together will move at your pace, honoring your story and your nervous system’s capacity.
I offer EMDR therapy both in person in La Jolla and virtually throughout California. Whether you’re seeking to heal childhood wounds or simply want to feel more grounded and connected in your day-to-day life, EMDR can be a powerful step forward.
Ready to Begin?
If you’re ready to feel calmer, more connected, and no longer defined by the past, I’d love to support you.
Contact me to schedule a free consultation and learn how EMDR therapy in San Diego or anywhere in California can help you heal.
About the Author
Aleah Maas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and trauma therapist based in San Diego, CA. She is the founder of Holistic Flow Therapy, where she helps individuals and couples heal from trauma, anxiety, and attachment wounds using EMDR, IFS, and nervous system-based care. Aleah offers therapy online across California and in person in La Jolla.
Ready to work together? Schedule a free consultation.
