EMDR Therapy in New York City

Life doesn’t always give us the space to process what we’ve been through. Trauma, grief, anxiety, and painful experiences can leave deep imprints on the mind and body, sometimes long after the event has passed. You might feel stuck in old patterns, haunted by memories, or overwhelmed by emotions that seem impossible to control.

Maybe certain sounds, places, or interactions trigger feelings you can’t explain. Maybe you’ve tried to “move on,” but something inside keeps pulling you back to fear, shame, or self-doubt. 

You’re tired of carrying the weight of the past into your present.

EMDR therapy is a powerful, evidence-based treatment that helps you finally release these stuck patterns and find freedom. At Gabriela Tilevitz Therapy, we guide clients through EMDR with compassion, safety, and care, so you can move forward into a life that feels calmer, lighter, and more whole.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing helps find healing from trauma, anxiety and emotional pain.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused therapy that helps the brain reprocess painful experiences so they no longer feel overwhelming. Instead of endlessly talking through traumatic memories, EMDR uses structured techniques, including guided bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds), to help your brain release stuck emotional responses and integrate new, healthier ways of coping.

Research shows EMDR is one of the most effective treatments for trauma and PTSD, and it’s also highly beneficial for anxiety, depression, grief, and distressing life events. It works with your brain’s natural healing processes, helping you shift from being “stuck in the past” to feeling safe and grounded in the present.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

Conditions and Struggles EMDR Therapy Addresses

  • Trauma & PTSD

    Flashbacks or intrusive memories

    Avoidance of reminders

    Feeling “stuck in the past”

    Hypervigilance or feeling unsafe

  • Anxiety & Panic

    Racing thoughts

    Overwhelming worry

    Sudden panic attacks

    Triggers that cause intense fear

  • Depression & Low Self-Esteem

    Negative self-beliefs (“I’m not enough”)

    Persistent sadness or hopelessness

    Feeling numb or disconnected

    Shame or guilt that won’t let go

  • Grief & Stress

    Loss of a loved one that feels unbearable

    Ongoing life stress that feels unmanageable

    Complicated grief after divorce, illness, or major change

    Burnout and exhaustion

  • Phobias & Fears

    Fear of flying

    Social anxiety

    Intense or irrational fears

    Avoiding situations due to fear

  • Relationship & Attachment

    Intense or irrational fears

    Avoiding situations due to fear

    Trust issues, Jealousy or insecurity

    Fear of abandonment & childhood neglect

  • Body-Based Distress

    Chronic tension or pain tied to trauma

    Trouble sleeping

    Feeling “on edge” or restless

    Trauma stored in the body

  • Performance & Confidence

    Stage fright or performance anxiety

    Fear of failure

    Confidence blocks

    Difficulty moving forward with goals

How EMDR Helps You Heal From Trauma

So often, the past shows up in the present: sleepless nights, sudden anxiety, overwhelming emotions, or that feeling of being “on edge” even when nothing is wrong. EMDR helps your mind and body finally release what’s been holding you back, so you can step into life with more calm, strength, and confidence.

Here’s how EMDR can support your healing:

  • Softens painful memories – they lose their sharpness and no longer control how you feel.

  • Calms the body’s alarm system – instead of staying stuck in fight-or-flight, your nervous system learns to settle.

  • Transforms self-beliefs – old voices like “I’m not safe” or “I’m not enough” are replaced with truths like “I am worthy” and “I can trust myself.”

  • Ease triggers and flashbacks – everyday situations stop pulling you back into old fear or pain.

  • Creates space for joy and connection – with less energy tied to survival, you can feel more present with yourself and the people you love.

The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy

You and your therapist talk openly about what’s led you here, your personal strengths, and what you're hoping to heal. Together, you choose which memories or experiences to address first.

1. History & Treatment Planning

You’ll learn calming tools and techniques, like grounding or imagery, that help you stay anchored if distressing emotions come up. This phase builds resilience before any deep processing begins. 

2. Preparation

You and your therapist identify a specific memory to work on. You'll name the images, emotions, body sensations, and both negative and positive beliefs tied to it. You’ll rate how unsettling it feels (using a scale like SUD, Subjective Units of Distress) and how strongly the positive belief resonates (using a scale like VoC, Validity of Cognition). 

3. Assessment

4. Desensitization

Now comes the bilateral stimulation, commonly side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or tones, while you focus on that memory and its emotional impact. This continues until the associated distress drops significantly. As you process, new thoughts or sensations may surface. 

Next, you shift the spotlight to the positive belief you want instead, like “I am safe” or “I am worthy.” Using bilateral stimulation again, the therapist helps strengthen that belief until it feels true. 

5. Installation

You bring to mind the memory and positive belief while tuning into your body. Any lingering tension or discomfort is addressed with additional bilateral stimulation until the body feels calm. 

6. Body Scan

7. Closure

At the end of each session, your therapist makes sure you feel centered and safe. If strong feelings remain, you’ll use the grounding tools from Phase 2 to settle gently before leaving. 

8. Reevaluation

When you return, you’ll check in: How do you feel about that memory now? Have the negative emotions eased? This helps your therapist decide whether to move forward or revisit earlier steps for deeper healing.

Why Choose EMDR With Gabriela Tilevitz Therapy

Carrying pain from the past can feel exhausting. Sometimes it feels like no matter how hard you try, the old memories and feelings just won’t let go. You don’t have to go through that alone.

At Gabriela Tilevitz Therapy, we see you as a whole person. We listen with care, we’re honest with you, and we’ll walk at your pace. Healing can feel heavy, but it can also bring moments of relief, lightness, and even a little laughter along the way.

EMDR is one of the tools we use to help you release what’s been weighing you down and reconnect with the parts of yourself that feel calm, safe, and strong. We don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we’ll work with you to find what feels right for your story, your body, and your healing journey.

  • Every client’s healing process is different. Some notice changes after a few sessions, while others engage longer to fully process complex trauma. We’ll move at the pace that feels right for you.

  • Not necessarily. One of the benefits of EMDR is that you don’t have to relive or describe every detail of painful experiences. The process helps your brain reprocess trauma without retraumatization.

  • The eight phases are the framework, but therapy is not “one-size-fits-all.” Some people spend more time in early phases building coping skills, while others move into memory reprocessing sooner. Your therapist will adjust the pace to make sure you feel safe.

  • Yes. EMDR is evidence-based and widely recognized as safe and effective. Your therapist will ensure the process is structured and paced in a way that feels supportive and secure.

  • Yes. Many clients do EMDR virtually using secure telehealth platforms. Bilateral stimulation can be done with eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones, even in online sessions. Remote EMDR can be just as effective as in-person therapy.

  • Please reach out to us by filling out a contact form and we will get back to you soon.

Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy New York City