EMDR Therapy
Compassionate therapy that helps teens and adults process trauma, calm their nervous system, and reclaim a stronger sense of self. In-person EMDR therapy is available in Truckee & South Lake Tahoe. Online EMDR therapy offered across California.
Finding freedom from what has held you back.
FIND RELIEF FROM FLASHBACKS
FEEL LESS ANXIOUS EVERY DAY
TRUST YOURSELF & OTHERS AGAIN
Trauma, grief, or stress can linger long after the moment has passed
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t what happened, but the way it stays with you. A memory, a feeling, or even a small trigger can pull you right back into the pain, leaving you anxious, exhausted, or disconnected from the people who matter most.
The weight of these experiences can show up as sleepless nights, racing thoughts, flashes of anger, or moments of numbness that make it hard to feel like yourself. It can be unpredictable and overwhelming, and it’s natural to wonder if things will ever change.
EMDR therapy can help you move forward while finding freedom from the past. Visit our EMDR therapists in Truckee & South Lake Tahoe.
If you are experiencing:
- Sudden flashbacks
- Intrusive thoughts
- Nightmares or difficulty sleeping
- Feeling constantly on edge or hypervigilant
- Shame, guilt, or self-blame
- Numbness, disconnection, or isolation
- Waves of fear, anxiety, or anger
- A sense of being stuck or without direction
We can help you process these experiences and begin moving forward at a safe and manageable pace.
EMDR Therapy | Truckee & South Lake Tahoe
Why EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy provides a safe, structured space to process painful memories and experiences that continue to impact your daily life. It’s not about erasing memories, but about taking away the sting so they don’t keep running your life. With the right support, you can calm your body, feel more grounded, and begin to loosen the grip the past has on you.
When memories or anxieties become “stuck,” the brain processes them as if the crisis is still happening. That is why a sound, a smell, or even a thought can trigger the same fear, shame, or panic all over again. EMDR helps rewire those pathways, allowing your brain to process the memory in a healthier way so it no longer carries the same charge.
Over time, difficult memories become less overwhelming. Many people find they feel more steady in their emotions, more present in their relationships, and more confident in themselves. EMDR does not “fix” you; it helps you heal in a way that lasts.
Trauma and healing are part of the same story. Hurting does not mean you are broken; it means you have lived through something hard. With the right tools and support, it is possible to move forward with relief, peace, and hope.
“I feel stuck in the past.”
That makes sense. When your brain keeps replaying the same memories, it’s hard to move forward. EMDR helps those memories lose their grip so they don’t control today.
“I can’t seem to relax.”
Living on high alert is exhausting. EMDR Therapy helps calm your nervous system so your body can finally breathe again.
“I should be able to handle this myself.”
It’s easy to think that, but no one heals alone. EMDR is a process that gives you tools and support to make it lighter.
“It feels like it happened yesterday.”
That’s how trauma works; it traps you in the moment. EMDR Therapy helps your brain put it where it belongs: in the past.
“I’m scared I’ll never feel like me again.”
You’re not alone in that fear. With EMDR, people often rediscover parts of themselves they thought were gone for good.
EMDR therapy can help you by providing a safe space where you can:
Understand how your brain responds to triggers
Calm your nervous system and reduce anxiety
Strengthen positive beliefs about yourself
Regain a sense of balance and control
Process painful memories without feeling overwhelmed
Healing takes time, but you don’t have to stay stuck in the same cycle forever. With EMDR therapy, you can finally put the past in its place and create more space for peace, confidence, and connection in your everyday life.
EMDR Therapists | Truckee & South Lake Tahoe
Meet Our EMDR Therapists
Our Approach
How EMDR Therapy Works
EMDR is a structured approach with eight stages that work together to help you process distressing memories in a healthier way. The process always moves at a pace that feels safe for you.
History & Planning
We start by getting to know you and your story. Together, we’ll talk about your goals and create a plan that feels safe, clear, and supportive.
Preparation
Before diving into difficult memories, we’ll make sure you have tools to ground yourself, like relaxation and coping strategies, so you always feel steady during the process.
Assessment
Here, we’ll identify the specific memories, thoughts, or beliefs that are keeping you stuck, and choose the ones to focus on first.
Desensitization
This is where EMDR’s unique process comes in. Using guided eye movements, tapping, or sounds, your brain starts to reprocess painful memories so they feel less overwhelming.
Installation
Body Scan
We take time to notice how your body feels and release any tension or stress that may still be connected to the memory.
Closure
Each session ends with grounding and support, so you leave feeling steady and safe.
Re-evaluation
In the sessions that follow, we’ll check in on your progress, reflect on what’s working, and adjust the plan to keep your healing moving forward.
EMDR Therapy | Truckee & South Lake Tahoe
Results From EMDR Therapy
Every person and situation is different, so while we can’t give a specific timeline, many people start to feel lighter within 3–6 sessions as they build grounding skills and begin reprocessing painful memories.
With time and consistency, EMDR therapy can lead to:
- Relief from intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and nightmares
- A calmer nervous system and less daily anxiety
- Greater confidence and emotional stability
- Stronger connections and healthier communication in relationships
- The ability to respond to triggers without feeling overwhelmed
- Better sleep and improved overall well-being
A renewed sense of trust, self-worth, and hope for the future.
Questions About EMDR Therapy
What is EMDR, and how does it work?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a therapy that helps your brain reprocess painful memories so they don’t feel as overwhelming. During an EMDR therapy session, your EMDR therapist will guide you to think about a difficult memory while using gentle bilateral stimulation, like eye movements, tapping, or sounds. This helps your brain “unstick” the memory and file it away in a calmer, less distressing way.
How many EMDR therapy sessions will I need?
It depends on what you’re working through. Some people feel a big shift after just a few sessions, especially with single-event trauma. For more complex or long-standing issues, it often takes longer. On average, many people notice meaningful changes within 6 to 12 sessions, but your journey will be unique to you.
Is EMDR therapy covered by insurance?
Yes! We accept MOST insurances. We are currently in network with Anthem Medi-cal as well as Blue Shield of California. If you’d like to verify your insurance before a consultation call or an appointment, please click here to complete our ‘Verify Your Insurance’ form. We will let you know what your cost per session will be.
What should I expect during an EMDR session?
In your EMDR sessions, you and your therapist will choose a memory or belief to focus on. You’ll be guided through the EMDR process in a way that always feels safe and manageable. You stay in control the whole time, and you can pause or stop whenever you need to. Many clients say that over time, the memories feel less heavy, and they notice themselves feeling calmer, more grounded, and more hopeful.
How do I find a qualified EMDR therapist?
The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) has a directory where you can search for certified providers. At A Balanced Life Tahoe Truckee Therapy, all of our EMDR therapists have completed or are in the process of completing EMDRIA-approved training, so you’re in safe, capable hands.
How To Get Started
Ready to get started? You can book an appointment or a free consultation directly online using the button below. Not all of our therapists are available for free consults.
Is the therapist you’re hoping to book with full? Click the button below to register for our waitlist. We’ll contact you when their availability opens up.
Send us a message!
Have questions about therapy? Looking to get added to a therapist’s waitlist? Send us a message and our team will be in touch!
A Balanced Life
Tahoe Truckee Therapy
Helping you get the support you need to heal old wounds and create the life you deserve.