EMDR therapy involves focusing on a specific memory while following guided eye movements or gentle taps. Most people report that the memory’s emotional intensity decreases gradually across sets not by talking through it in detail, but by allowing the brain to reprocess it. Sessions are structured, paced by you, and grounded in what you are actually feeling in the moment.

You’ve Heard About EMDR, But You’re Not Sure What You’re Walking Into

Maybe a friend mentioned it. Maybe you searched “trauma therapy San Diego” and kept seeing the term. Either way, you are probably curious and a little skeptical. What does it actually involve? Is it like hypnosis? Do you have to talk about everything that happened?

These are fair questions. And the answers matter, because not knowing what to expect is often the exact thing that keeps people from booking that first appointment.

What Happens in an EMDR Session – Step by Step

EMDR therapy does not follow the same format as traditional talk therapy. Sessions are structured around a specific process. Here is what that typically looks like at EMDR Healing Therapy in San Diego.

Session 1-2: History and Preparation

The first sessions are not jumping into trauma processing. Karem Smith, LMFT, takes time to understand your history, your current symptoms, and what you are hoping to change. You identify what is getting in the way of living the life you want.

You also learn stabilization tools grounding techniques, breathing, and ways to calm your nervous system. These are not optional extras. They are foundational to the work. Nothing moves forward until you feel stable enough to begin.

Session 3: Targeting

This is where you and your therapist identify a specific target a memory, image, or belief connected to your distress. You explore the thoughts, physical sensations, and emotions attached to it. You rate how distressing it feels on a simple 0-10 scale.

You are not required to describe everything in detail. EMDR therapy works even when clients share very little out loud. The brain does not need a full verbal narrative to process.

Sessions 4 and Beyond: Reprocessing

This is the phase most people are curious about. While holding the target memory in mind, you follow a set of bilateral stimulation usually your therapist’s finger moving side to side, a sound alternating in each ear, or gentle taps on your hands or knees.

After each short set, your therapist pauses and asks what you noticed. That’s it. You might notice a shift in the image. A change in how your body feels. A new thought surfacing. You report what comes up, and the next set begins.

Many clients describe it as watching a movie of the memory from a distance rather than being inside it. Over time, the memory loses its charge. It does not disappear, but it stops pulling you under.

What Most People Are Surprised By

The physical component surprises a lot of people. Trauma and PTSD are not just mental experiences they live in the body too. Tension in your chest. A knot in your stomach. EMDR works with those physical signals alongside the memory itself.

People are also surprised by how quickly things can shift. The World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association both recognize EMDR as an effective treatment for trauma and research shows it often produces results in fewer sessions than traditional talk therapy.

If this resonates with you, Karem Smith is accepting new clients in San Diego.

You can book a session online or call (858) 289-0671 to ask questions before committing to anything.

Who EMDR in San Diego Is a Good Fit For

EMDR is not only for people with a formal PTSD diagnosis. Adults across San Diego seek this approach for anxiety counseling, grief counseling, depression and mood management, and even academic performance anxiety.

It tends to work especially well for people who have tried talk therapy without lasting relief those who understand their patterns intellectually but still feel stuck emotionally.

Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy in San Diego

Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail during EMDR?

No. EMDR does not require you to narrate your trauma. You focus on the memory internally while your therapist guides the bilateral stimulation. Many people find this to be one of the most relieving aspects of the process.

How many EMDR sessions will I need?

It depends on what you are processing. Single-incident trauma may resolve in fewer sessions. Complex or repeated trauma typically takes longer. Karem Smith will work with you to set realistic expectations early on.

Is EMDR covered by insurance in San Diego?

Karem Smith is not in-network with insurance, but she can provide a superbill for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Visit the billing and insurance page for more information.

Does EMDR work for anxiety even without a specific traumatic event?

Yes. EMDR addresses the stored distress driving anxiety even when the source is not a single identifiable event. Learn more about anxiety counseling in San Diego.

Ready to Find Out If EMDR Is Right for You?

You do not have to commit to anything to ask a question. A free 15-minute phone consultation is available so you can get a feel for the process before booking a full session.

Karem Smith, LMFT offers EMDR therapy serving Clairemont, La Jolla, Mira Mesa, Mission Valley, Pacific Beach, and surrounding communities.

Book an appointment online or call (858) 289-0671.

Learn more about Karem Smith and her approach, or explore more articles on trauma, anxiety, and mental health.