EMDR Therapy in San Rafael, CA
Relief through healing the root of distress.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can help children, teens and adults work through trauma, and the anxiety, grief and stuck feelings that can follow it. We offer EMDR in person at our San Rafael office and online for clients anywhere in California.
Struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, attention issues, phobias, grief, or chronic pain? These problems often stem from unresolved trauma. EMDR therapy provides relief by addressing the root cause of the distress.
Quick Answer
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that uses guided eye movements while you recall distressing memories, helping the brain reprocess them so they lose their emotional charge. It is widely used for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, phobias, grief, and chronic pain in both adults and children.
- Best for
- Trauma, PTSD, anxiety, phobias
- Sessions
- Anywhere from 3–12+, varies by person
- Format
- In-person or telehealth
Why Would I Need EMDR Therapy?
Traumatic experiences, whether big or small, can leave lasting impacts on your mental health and well-being. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses on reprocessing the traumatic memories that trigger these issues, helping you move past them and regain control of your life. Whether you've experienced a significant trauma or a series of smaller stressors, EMDR can offer a path to healing.
How Will EMDR Therapy Help Me?
EMDR therapy works by reprocessing traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact. During EMDR sessions, you will engage in a series of guided eye movements while recalling distressing events. This process helps to desensitize you to the emotional intensity of these memories and reframe them in a healthier way. The benefits include:
Why Choose Family Matters of Marin for EMDR?
Who Provides EMDR at Family Matters of Marin?
Healing from trauma is at the heart of our practice, and every therapist on our team is trained in EMDR. Our founder, Anneli Richards, LMFT, is a Certified EMDR Therapist and an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant, and she consults with our therapists on their EMDR work. Whichever therapist you see, you have the benefit of her experience too.
When you reach out, we'll match you with the therapist who best fits what you, your child, or your family needs.
EMDR is also one of the approaches we use in our therapy intensives, which offer longer, focused time for deeper work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can EMDR help?
EMDR is widely used for trauma and PTSD, and also for anxiety, phobias, grief and loss, and painful memories that still feel "live" years later. It can help after a single frightening event or after years of smaller hurts. We use EMDR with children, teens and adults.
What happens in an EMDR session?
You won't start with your hardest memory. Early sessions focus on getting to know you and what you want to change, and on building calming skills you can use in and out of session. When you're ready, your therapist guides you through short sets of eye movements, gentle taps or tones while you briefly bring a memory to mind, checking in with you after each set. You stay in control and can pause at any time.
How is EMDR different from talk therapy?
In talk therapy, much of the work happens by talking a problem through. EMDR asks for less detailed talking about what happened. Instead, it helps your brain reprocess the memory so it feels less charged. EMDR can also be combined with other approaches we use, such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), play therapy and expressive arts.
How long does EMDR treatment take?
Treatment length depends on what issue you want to work on, what is currently happening in your life, and the amount of previous trauma you have had. Sometimes treatment can be a few sessions to resolve symptoms from a single-incident trauma. In other cases, long-term treatment is necessary to resolve symptoms and process the trauma.
Is EMDR the same for children as adults?
EMDR has the same effect on children as it does on adults, but it can look slightly different. Depending on the situation, the therapist may see the child alone or with a parent. Children often respond quickly and positively to EMDR treatment. For younger children, the therapist may use EMDR in conjunction with play therapy, using toys and play to help with the process.
Can EMDR be done by telehealth?
Yes. We offer EMDR by secure video for clients anywhere in California, as well as in person at our San Rafael office. Your therapist will talk with you about which is the better fit for you.
How do I get started with EMDR?
Schedule a free 15-minute call with our Client Care Coordinator. Share what's going on and ask anything, with no commitment. We'll match you with a therapist on our team, and you can begin in person in San Rafael or online. You can also call us at (415) 326-6354.
To learn more about EMDR visit www.emdria.org
Wondering if EMDR is right for you?
Book a free 15-minute call with our Client Care Coordinator, or call us at (415) 326-6354.