EMDR THERAPY IN FAIR OAKS, CA & ONLINE IN CALIFORNIA

Break free from unwanted patterns and experience more peace.

GET STARTED

BOOK ONLINE

Free 20-minute video consultation available.

Smart Caucasian woman reading a novel at home by the window. Freelancer student female rea

EMDR Therapy can help you:

Overcome the Impact of Trauma

Restore Your Inner Strength and Resilience

Reconnect With a Sense of Calm

Sometimes we need a little extra help to make healing feel more achievable.

EMDR is often the therapy that helps people move past emotional roadblocks and gain more peace.

Whether you're seeking help for trauma, depression, anxiety, disconnection, or emotional pain, EMDR could be the solution you're looking for.

Meet Suzanne

Book with Suzanne

Suzanne Teare

Suzanne Teare, LCSW, specializes in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to help clients process difficult memories, heal from traumatic experiences, and feel a sense of calm and confidence within themselves and in their relationships. Suzanne has guided hundreds of EMDR sessions, successfully helping clients heal at the root of their challenges and experience wellness that lasts beyond the therapy room.

Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Education: Bachelor of Science in Psychology, California State University Sacramento; Master of Social Work, University of Southern California
Additional specialties: Internal Family Systems (IFS), anxiety, depression, codependency, emotional trauma, religious trauma, life transitions, difficulties in relationships, stress, trauma related disorders
Location: Fair Oaks and Virtual

Ready to get started?

Fill out our simple contact form and we will respond within 24 business hours.

Who is EMDR therapy for?

Maybe you've tried traditional talk therapy but it didn't provide the relief you were hoping for. Or maybe you're looking for a proven effective tool for healing trauma and achieving your mental health goals. EMDR therapy can:

Reduce Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms
Help Process Childhood and Adult Trauma
Improve Emotional Regulation
Reduce Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Reduce Chronic Pain
Promote Positive Self-Perception
Increase Overall Well-being
Help Build Healthy Relationships

What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach that utilizes the brain's natural capacity to heal and helps alleviate symptoms associated with distressing childhood or recent experiences.

EMDR helps clients heal traumatic memories by stimulating both sides of the brain, which facilitates the reprocessing and desensitization of emotionally disturbing events, helping to reduce the emotional charge and increase your capacity to self soothe and feel empowered in your life and relationships.

EMDR has been extensively researched and is recognized as an effective treatment for trauma, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, personality disorders and other mental health conditions. EMDR is effective in both in-person and virtual therapy.

How does EMDR work?

The founder of EMDR Therapy, Francine Shapiro, discovered the brain's natural capacity for healing distressing experiences during a walk in the park, when she noticed traumatic memories and disturbing emotions rapidly disappearing and changing as her eyes spontaneously moved back and forth. During an EMDR session, your therapist will guide you through bilateral stimulation techniques—often guided eye movements, taps, or sounds—which rapidly activate both hemispheres of the brain. As Francine Shapiro discovered that day in the park, this stimulation elicits the brain's capacity to process and heal the distressing and traumatic memories within, creating lasting change in your emotions, thoughts, life and relationships.

What are the 8 phases of EMDR?

1. History Taking and Treatment Planning

The beginning phase of EMDR involves gathering detailed information about your history, current symptoms, difficult thoughts and emotions, and experiences. During this phase, the therapist assesses your background, identifies target memories for processing, and develops a tailored treatment plan.

2. Preparation

In the preparation phase, the therapist helps you understand the EMDR process and establishes a sense of safety and trust. The therapist explains the procedures, including the use of bilateral stimulation, and introduces coping strategies to manage any distress that may arise during sessions.

3. Assessment

During the assessment phase, you and your therapist identify and focus on specific negative beliefs and memories associated with the trauma. You will recall the traumatic life event and related negative beliefs, while your therapist helps you formulate positive, adaptive beliefs to replace the negative ones.

4. Desensitization

The desensitization phase involves the use of bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements) to elicit the brain's natural capacity to process and reduce the emotional charge associated with the traumatic event or experience. As you focus on the memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, the brain’s natural processing mechanisms are activated, leading to a gradual decrease in distress and a shift in perception of the trauma.

5. Installation

In the installation phase, the focus shifts to strengthening and reinforcing positive beliefs that were identified during the assessment phase. The therapist helps you integrate these positive beliefs into your cognitive framework while continuing the use of bilateral stimulation.

6. Body Scan

The body scan phase involves asking you to focus on the traumatic event and new associated positive beliefs while scanning your body for any residual tension, fear or discomfort.

7. Closure

During the closure phase, the therapist helps you return to a state of equilibrium and ensure that you feel stable before ending the session. The therapist guides you through relaxation techniques and reinforces coping strategies learned during the preparation phase. This phase helps the therapist to stabilize you and provide a sense of safety, ensuring that you are grounded and ready to resume normal activities in your life.

8. Reevaluation

The reevaluation phase occurs in subsequent sessions to assess the progress made and determine the effectiveness of the EMDR treatment. The therapist reviews the changes in your symptoms, tracks changing emotions and thoughts, reassesses the previously targeted memories, and addresses any new issues or residual distress.

EMDR might be right for you if you’re seeking a structured, holistic path forward to healing trauma. EMDR is particularly effective for adults who feel stuck or overwhelmed by trauma, distressing memories, negative beliefs, chronic pain, or heightened emotional responses. You may notice that traditional talk therapy hasn't fully alleviated your symptoms or that certain experiences continue to trigger intense emotional or physical reactions. Reach out for a free consultation with me if you have more questions.

The number of EMDR therapy sessions can vary depending on the individual and the nature of their symptoms. Some people may experience relief after just a few sessions, while others may require more extensive treatment. Generally, a course of EMDR therapy involves several sessions spread out over weeks or months, with you and your therapist working collaboratively to determine the appropriate duration of treatment.

While EMDR therapy is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, like any form of therapy, it can occasionally lead to temporary distress or heightened emotional arousal as traumatic memories are processed. Some individuals may experience vivid or intense emotions, physical sensations, or temporary increases in anxiety during or after sessions. However, these reactions are typically short-lived and are often seen as part of the natural healing process. You will be provided with support, guidance, and appropriate coping strategies to help manage any potential side effects that may arise during treatment.

EMDR therapy can be more expensive than other forms of therapy due to the specialized training and certification required for practitioners. Therapists must complete extensive education, supervised practice, and ongoing professional development to deliver EMDR safely and effectively. This training ensures they are equipped to guide clients through a structured and often intensive process of addressing trauma. Additionally, EMDR sessions can sometimes be longer than traditional therapy sessions, depending on the client's needs and the stage of treatment, which can increase costs.

I provide detailed information about the cost of EMDR therapy in California in my blog post located here. Despite its cost, many clients find EMDR to be a highly effective approach, often achieving results in fewer sessions compared to some other therapies. For those seeking relief from trauma, anxiety, or similar challenges, the investment can lead to meaningful and lasting change.