Finding Relief from Anxiety: How EMDR Therapy Can Help
For those struggling with anxiety, EMDR therapy offers an evidence-based path to healing. Learn how it works — and how working with an Anxiety and EMDR Specialist in Hermosa Beach can help you find relief.
You Don’t Have to Live in Anxiety Forever
Living with anxiety can feel like being trapped in your own mind — constantly bracing for something to go wrong, even when things seem fine on the outside. The endless overthinking, the tension in your chest, the spiral of “what ifs” that won’t quiet down… it’s exhausting.
It can start to feel like this is just how life is — like peace and calm are things other people get to feel. But I want you to know: I see you. I’ve worked with so many clients who’ve felt the same way. And I want you to know that lasting relief is possible — even if you haven’t felt it in a long time.
What Is EMDR Therapy and How Can It Help With Anxiety?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing experiences so they no longer trigger the same emotional or physical responses.
EMDR was developed by Francine Shapiro, a psychologist who discovered that specific eye movements could reduce the emotional intensity of troubling thoughts and memories. Since then, EMDR therapy has helped countless people overcome trauma, anxiety, panic attacks, and more.
Unlike talk therapy alone, EMDR accesses the brain's natural healing processes, allowing you to experience relief at a deeper level.
How EMDR Works for Anxiety
During an EMDR session, I’ll guide you through bilateral stimulation — typically eye movements, tapping, or sound tones — while we gently bring up specific emotions or memories that are tied to your anxiety.
This process is believed to mirror the brain activity that happens during REM sleep, where memories are processed and emotional charge is reduced. Over time, your brain begins to “unstick” from the patterns that keep anxiety looping.
Clients often report feeling calmer, lighter, and more emotionally regulated — even when thinking about things that used to trigger intense anxiety.
You can learn more about the science behind EMDR from the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).
What to Expect in EMDR Therapy
As your Anxiety and EMDR Specialist in Hermosa Beach, my first priority is to help you feel safe and supported. We won’t dive into anything overwhelming right away. Instead, we’ll take time to build trust, identify what’s been holding you back, and prepare your mind and body for the EMDR process.
Once we begin EMDR therapy, many clients are surprised at how quickly they start to feel real shifts. While every healing journey is unique, EMDR often brings relief more efficiently than traditional talk therapy alone.
“I didn’t expect EMDR to change me so deeply. After just a few sessions, the anxiety that used to control my life started to fade. I could finally breathe again. It was like my nervous system finally exhaled after holding its breath for years.”
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy for Anxiety
How long does EMDR therapy take for anxiety?
The length of EMDR therapy varies from person to person. Some clients experience noticeable relief within just a few sessions, especially if their anxiety is tied to a specific event. For others, especially when anxiety has built up over time or is connected to multiple life experiences, EMDR may take longer. As your EMDR specialist, I’ll always move at your pace and ensure you feel safe and grounded as we work toward lasting change.
Is EMDR safe if I’ve never done therapy before?
Yes, EMDR is absolutely safe for first-time therapy clients. One of the things that makes EMDR therapy so effective is that it doesn’t require you to talk in detail about painful memories — we focus on how your body and mind are responding now and gently work to shift that. I’ll help you build skills to feel calm and in control before we begin any deeper work, so you’re never pushed too far, too fast.
What if I’m not sure where my anxiety is coming from?
You don’t need to have it all figured out before we start. EMDR therapy is incredibly effective even if you can’t pinpoint the exact root of your anxiety. Sometimes anxiety is tied to memories or patterns we aren’t fully aware of, and EMDR helps bring those to the surface in a gentle, guided way. I’ll help you identify key moments, emotions, or body sensations that we can work with — no pressure, just curiosity and care.
What Makes My Approach Different
As an Anxiety and EMDR Specialist in Hermosa Beach, I offer a deeply personalized, trauma-informed approach that goes beyond symptom relief to create real, lasting healing.
With training in depth-oriented psychotherapy, attachment theory, and EMDR, I help you explore and shift the underlying patterns that fuel anxiety. My multicultural background and lived experience give me a strong sensitivity to identity, belonging, and how our past shapes us.
I work relationally, meaning we go at your pace and build a therapeutic relationship rooted in safety and trust. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, past trauma, or simply feeling stuck, I’ll guide you with empathy, curiosity, and care — helping you reconnect to yourself and feel more grounded in your life.
Ready to Start Your Healing Journey?
If anxiety has been weighing you down, you don’t have to face it alone. EMDR therapy can help you reconnect with calm, confidence, and clarity — and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can begin your healing journey together.
