Oquirrh Mountain Psychiatry
EMDR Therapy in Tooele: What a Session Looks Like
If you live in Tooele County and a painful memory still feels like it happened yesterday, you may have heard someone mention EMDR. It is one of the most studied therapies for trauma and PTSD, and one of the least understood. Many people picture hypnosis, or reliving the worst day of their life for an hour. Neither is accurate.
At Oquirrh Mountain Psychiatry, we believe education is an important part of mental health care. This guide explains what EMDR is, what happens during a session, how long treatment usually takes, and how to get started without driving to Salt Lake City.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured therapy that helps your brain store a traumatic memory as something that happened in the past, rather than something that keeps happening now. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs lists EMDR as one of the most effective treatments for PTSD.
The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR follows a set sequence. You will not complete all eight phases in one visit. The early phases may take a session or two, and the middle phases repeat for each memory you work on.
- History and planning. Your therapist learns about your background, current symptoms, and goals. Together, you choose which memories to work on first.
- Preparation. Before touching any difficult memories, you learn how EMDR works and practice calming skills, such as picturing a safe place or slow breathing.
- Assessment. You choose one memory and identify the image that stands out, the negative belief tied to it (for example, “I am not safe”), and the belief you would rather hold (“I survived, and I am safe now”).
- Desensitization. You briefly hold the memory in mind while following your therapist’s hand, a light bar, tones, or gentle taps from side to side. Each set lasts about 30 seconds.
- Installation. Once the memory feels less intense, you strengthen the positive belief you chose.
- Body scan. You think of the memory and notice any tension left in your body, which is then processed as well.
- Closure. Every session ends with you back on steady ground, using the calming skills from phase two.
- Reevaluation. At the start of the next session, you and your therapist check how the last memory feels and decide what to work on next.
What Does an EMDR Session Feel Like?
A typical EMDR session lasts 60 to 90 minutes. You stay fully awake and in control the entire time, and you can pause at any point. You do not have to describe every detail of what happened out loud, because much of the work happens in your own mind.
Many people say the memory starts to feel more distant, blurrier, or simply less intense as the sets continue. It is also normal to feel tired afterward, or to notice vivid dreams or stirred-up emotions for a day or two. These effects are usually brief. There is no homework between sessions.
How Many EMDR Sessions Will I Need?
The number of sessions depends on what you are working through:
- One distressing event (such as a car accident or an assault): often 3 to 6 sessions
- Several events or long-term trauma: often 8 to 12 sessions or more
- A standard course for PTSD: about 3 months of weekly sessions, according to the VA
Many people notice some relief within the first few processing sessions, and your therapist will adjust the pace to fit your needs.
Can EMDR Be Combined with Medication?
Yes. Many people use medication to manage symptoms like nightmares, poor sleep, anxiety, or depression while they take part in trauma therapy.
Medication does not replace the work of EMDR, but it can provide the stability needed to engage fully in treatment. Your prescriber and therapist can coordinate your care so both parts of your plan work together.
Treatment recommendations are personalized and based on each patient’s unique needs.
Trauma Care Close to Home
At Oquirrh Mountain Psychiatry, psychiatric nurse practitioner Brittany Bullock begins with a full evaluation of your symptoms, sleep, mood, and history. From there, she builds a plan that may include medication management, coordination with local trauma therapists, and ongoing follow-up care.
Who Is EMDR a Good Fit For?
EMDR is designed for struggles rooted in distressing experiences. It may be worth asking about if you:
- Have PTSD from combat, an accident, abuse, assault, or a sudden loss
- Experience nightmares or flashbacks, or startle easily
- Avoid places, people, or conversations that remind you of what happened
- Carry beliefs like “it was my fault” or “I am never safe” that talk therapy alone has not changed
- Developed anxiety or depression after a difficult event
EMDR is one of several effective options. Others include cognitive processing therapy and exposure therapy, and the right choice depends on your symptoms and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR
Is EMDR the same as hypnosis?
No. You are awake, aware, and in control for the entire session, and you can stop at any time.
Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?
Not necessarily. EMDR asks you to hold the memory in mind, but you do not have to describe every part of it out loud.
Does EMDR work for PTSD?
Yes. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs lists EMDR among the most effective treatments for PTSD.
Is EMDR available in Tooele?
Oquirrh Mountain Psychiatry provides trauma evaluations and medication management in Tooele and works with local trauma therapists. Schedule an evaluation to talk through your options.
When Should EMDR Wait?
EMDR may need to wait, or be paired with other care first, if you are in an active crisis, using substances heavily, or feeling so overwhelmed that daily life is hard to manage. In those cases, stabilizing symptoms comes first, and psychiatric care can help.
Start With a Trauma Evaluation in Tooele
Understanding EMDR is an important first step. If trauma is affecting your sleep, relationships, or daily life, a psychiatric evaluation can help you find the right combination of therapy and support. Learn more about our trauma therapy services in Tooele, or call (435) 260-5158 to get started.
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Medically reviewed by Brittany Bullock, PMHNP. Sources: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD; Cleveland Clinic.