EMDR therapy
EMDR therapy, paced by you
For adults who want to work on memories of a partner's abuse that still feel close.
EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) asks you to hold a memory in mind while following a gentle back-and-forth rhythm, such as eye movements or tapping. Bertha's EMDR training came through an EMDRIA-approved program. Results vary, and she explains the possible risks and benefits before you begin.
What it looks like
A first stage of preparation, as long as you need
You can stop or slow down at any moment
Each session ends with you settled, not mid-memory
Your advocate's work, and your own safety plan, come first
Sessions
How a course of EMDR unfolds
- 01
Preparing
We build steady ways to calm yourself and decide together what, if anything, to work on first.
- 02
Reprocessing
When you are ready, we hold one memory in mind at a time. You set the speed and can pause.
- 03
Closing each session
We finish every session with grounding, so you leave steadier than you would after a hard conversation.
What this is not
What EMDR is not
Not hypnosis
You stay awake and aware, and you can open your eyes or speak at any time.
Not a promise
Results vary. We do not guarantee how you will feel, and we will not push you to go faster.
Not a requirement
Many people choose talk therapy or body-based work instead. We can start there.
Pace and payment
How long it takes, and how it is paid
Sessions are 50 minutes, usually weekly or every other week. Your counselor sets the pace with you, and there is no set number of sessions.
You pay for each session yourself, and your fee is given to you in writing before you start. If you pay without insurance you also receive a Good Faith Estimate. The page on how fees work has the details.
Questions
Three questions about EMDR
Do I have to describe what happened?
No. EMDR does not need a full telling. You hold the memory in mind and decide how much to say aloud.
What if it becomes too much?
Tell Bertha and we stop or slow down. Preparation comes first for exactly this reason, and every session ends with grounding.
Can I do EMDR by video?
Yes, if you are in South Dakota and have a private place and a steady connection. We talk through the setup first.
Write when you are ready
Tell us how it is private to reach you. We reply within one business day, and not before you choose.