--- title: "EMDR Therapy: What All The Buzz is About (Part 1)" description: EMDR is an effective therapy for trauma for our Beaverton clients. This post explains what EMDR is and how it works. image: https://www.counseling-360.com/hubfs/emdr-part1.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.counseling-360.com/resources/emdr-therapy-part-1#main-content) [![Counseling360Logo_Color](https://www.counseling-360.com/hubfs/Counseling360Logo_Color.png)](https://www.counseling-360.com) - [Therapy Services](https://www.counseling-360.com/therapy-services) - [Individual Therapy](https://www.counseling-360.com/therapy-services/individual-therapy) - [Couples Counseling](https://www.counseling-360.com/therapy-services/couples-counseling) - [Family Therapy](https://www.counseling-360.com/therapy-services/family-therapy) - [Approaches & Modalities](https://www.counseling-360.com/therapy-services#modalities) - [View All](https://www.counseling-360.com/therapy-services) - [Providers](https://www.counseling-360.com/providers) - About - [Services & Specialties](https://www.counseling-360.com/therapy-services) - [Client Resources](https://www.counseling-360.com/client-resources) - [Blog](https://www.counseling-360.com/resources) - [Get in Touch](https://www.counseling-360.com/contact) - [Patient Portal](https://drmary-counseling360.clientsecure.me/) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # EMDR Therapy: What All The Buzz is About (Part 1) [Kayla Davidson](https://www.counseling-360.com/resources/author/kayla-davidson) February 9, 2026 at 1:45 PM EMDR is a therapeutic tool for our Beaverton clients who struggle with traumatic experiences in their lives. This is part 1 of 2, where we briefly explain what EMDR is and how it works. ![EMDR therapy in Beaverton, part 1](https://www.counseling-360.com/hubfs/emdr-part1.png) There is a lot of talk around EMDR, and maybe you are curious about all the hype. Whether you have heard someone mention it, seen it on social media, or had it recommended to you, it’s likely EMDR has crossed your radar. It has become one of the most talked-about and well researched forms of trauma therapy--so let's break it down. ## A Brief Overview of EMDR First, EMDR is an [evidence-based therapy](https://www.counseling-360.com/therapy-services) that stands for Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing. In simple terms, EMDR helps the brain process experiences that feel “stuck.” It uses eye movements (or other forms of bilateral stimulation like tapping or tones) to reduce or often remove the emotional charge and the negative beliefs attached to certain memories. This allows the brain to reprocess those memories in a healthier way often replacing distressing beliefs with more adaptive ones. Our brains naturally know how to heal themselves. We see this when physical wounds close or when emotions soften over time. However, when someone experiences [trauma](https://www.counseling-360.com/resources/ptsd-trauma-therapy), especially repeated or overwhelming experiences, the brain doesn’t always get the chance to fully process what happened. Instead the memory can remain “frozen” with the original emotions, body sensations, and beliefs attached to it. EMDR works by mimicking the brain’s natural processing system, similar to what happens during REM sleep. By engaging both sides of the brain, EMDR helps the nervous system move the memory from a place of distress into a place of integration and resolution. That might sound daunting, but it's actually much simpler (and gentler) than it sounds. In EMDR, you’re not reliving trauma in detail or forced to talk about everything that happened. Instead, the [trained therapist](https://www.counseling-360.com/providers/kayla-davidson) helps guide your brain through a structured process that allows healing to happen organically. Many clients are surprised by how natural the process feels once it begins. EMDR is a structured, phased approach and often takes multiple sessions before meaningful relief is felt. Throughout the process, the therapist is to prioritize the clients safety and regulation, ensuring that each session ends with the client feeling grounded. Clients are also encouraged to engage in self-care and emotional decompression between sessions to support ongoing integration and healing. While this was a brief overview, there is plenty more to this powerful form of therapy. Part 2 will discuss what EMDR can help with (symptoms, disorders, etc.), what the process will look like, and who might benefit most from this approach. If you are interested in learning more and possibly starting EMDR, [contact us](https://www.counseling-360.com/contact) to be connected with a trained clinician who can support you through your process.  [specialty](https://www.counseling-360.com/resources/tag/specialty) [technique](https://www.counseling-360.com/resources/tag/technique) [modality](https://www.counseling-360.com/resources/tag/modality) ## Related Posts ### [February 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM EMDR Therapy: What All The Buzz is About (Part 2)](https://www.counseling-360.com/resources/emdr-therapy-part-2) ### [April 22, 2026 at 9:00 AM The Relationship With Your Therapist Matters | Counseling 360](https://www.counseling-360.com/resources/why-the-relationship-with-your-therapist-matters-more-than-you-think) ### [September 4, 2026 at 9:00 AM RAIN: An Acronym for Processing Emotions | Counseling 360 in Beaverton](https://www.counseling-360.com/resources/rain-acronym-for-processing-emotions) #### Counseling 360 in Beaverton We are a team of psychologists and therapists who provide personalized care for our patients, both in-person and online. #### Office Locations [10700 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy #460 Beaverton, OR 97005](https://www.counseling-360.com/location-beaverton-hillsdale-highway)     [8625 SW Cascade Ave Suite 520 Beaverton, OR 97008](https://www.counseling-360.com/location-cascade-ave-beaverton)     ##### Contact Counseling 360 (503) 928-6624   [mailto:contact@counseling-360.com](mailto:contact@counseling-360.com)[tel:5039286624](tel:5039286624) - [Providers](https://www.counseling-360.com/providers) - [Patient Portal](https://drmary-counseling360.clientsecure.me/) - [Insurance](https://www.counseling-360.com/client-resources) - [Blog](https://www.counseling-360.com/resources) © 2026 All rights reserved. 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