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EMDR Therapy for Trauma & Anxiety

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a structured therapy for distressing memories and the reactions that come with them. It is used for trauma and PTSD and also for anxiety, panic, and other stress-related difficulties. We offer EMDR in person in Hartsdale and by secure video.

When something overwhelming happens, the memory can stay vivid and easy to trigger long after the event. EMDR helps the brain process that memory so it feels less distressing. Your clinician tailors the pacing to you, so you stay grounded and supported throughout.

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At a Glance

  • Who it’s for: Adults dealing with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and stress-related difficulties
  • Locations: Hartsdale, NY, plus virtual sessions
  • Format: A structured, eight-phase therapy using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, taps, or tones
  • Clinicians: EMDR-trained licensed clinicians
  • Getting started: A free 15–30 minute consultation call, then a match with a clinician

What We Help With

EMDR is used for many kinds of distress. These are the concerns we see most often.

Trauma & Stress-Related Distress

Relationships & Life Events

  • Difficult life transitions
  • Relationship patterns and trust
  • Attachment-related distress
  • Performance anxiety and creative blocks

Anxiety & Overwhelming Responses

  • Anxiety, panic, and phobias
  • Chronic stress and burnout
  • Low self-esteem tied to past experiences
  • Long-standing patterns that are hard to change

How EMDR Works

EMDR follows a structured protocol, and your clinician adjusts the pace to you.

Activating Natural Processing

During a session, your therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements, alternating taps, or tones, while you briefly focus on a memory. This is thought to help the brain process material that has felt stuck. Researchers continue to study exactly how EMDR works.

Less Need to Describe Details

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require you to describe a painful event in detail. You and your therapist focus on the feelings, body sensations, and beliefs, such as “I’m not safe” or “It was my fault,” that are tied to the memory.

Connecting Mind and Body

Distress is often felt in the body as well as the mind. Your therapist helps you notice physical sensations as they arise and uses grounding skills to keep you steady during and between sessions.

The Eight Phases of EMDR

EMDR follows eight phases. You do not move through them in a straight line, and your therapist may return to earlier phases as needed.

  1. History and treatment planning: Your therapist learns about your history and chooses the memories and concerns to work on.
  2. Preparation: You learn how EMDR works and practice skills for calming yourself.
  3. Assessment: You identify a target memory, the belief that goes with it, and where you feel it in your body.
  4. Desensitization: You focus on the memory while following bilateral stimulation until it feels less distressing.
  5. Installation: You strengthen a more helpful belief to replace the distressing one.
  6. Body scan: You check for any remaining tension or discomfort tied to the memory.
  7. Closure: Each session ends with steps to help you feel settled, even if the memory is not fully processed.
  8. Reevaluation: At the next session, you review progress and decide what to work on next.

What to Expect

You don’t need to have it all figured out before you reach out.

  1. 1

    A Free Consultation

    We ask what brings you in, what you hope will change, and any questions you have about EMDR. We then match you with a clinician whose training fits.

  2. 2

    The First Sessions

    You and your therapist review your history and concerns and build skills for staying steady before any work on difficult memories begins.

  3. 3

    Ongoing Work

    Sessions are usually weekly to start, 45–60 minutes. The number of sessions depends on your history and goals, and your therapist checks in on progress regularly.

Care That Connects Across Specialties

EMDR often works best alongside other care. Someone processing an old trauma may also be dealing with relationship strain, anxiety, or a past pattern of disordered eating.

Because PPG is a multi-specialty practice, your EMDR therapist can consult with colleagues in adult therapy, couples therapy, eating disorder treatment, art therapy, and neuropsychological testing. When it would help, we coordinate within the practice, so you do not have to start over with a new provider if your needs change.

Your team

Meet our specialists in this area

Marissa Caldarola, LCSW

Marissa Caldarola, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Marissa is an EMDR-trained therapist with more than seven years of experience treating trauma, substance use, anxiety, and depression in children, adolescents, adults and couples.

Read full bio →
FAQ

Common questions

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a structured therapy for distressing memories and the reactions linked to them. It follows eight phases and uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, taps, or tones, while you briefly focus on a memory.

How does EMDR work?

While you focus on a distressing memory and follow bilateral stimulation, the memory is thought to be processed differently, so it feels less intense and is easier to place in the past. Researchers continue to study exactly how this happens.

What happens in an EMDR session?

Early sessions focus on your history and on learning skills to stay steady. In processing sessions, you briefly focus on a memory along with the feelings, body sensations, and beliefs tied to it, while following bilateral stimulation in short sets. You do not need to describe the event in detail, and you can pause at any time.

What does EMDR treat?

EMDR is best studied for PTSD and trauma. Clinicians also use it for anxiety, panic, grief, and other stress-related difficulties linked to distressing experiences. Your clinician will talk with you about whether it fits your concerns.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on your history and goals. Some people with a single event need fewer sessions, while long-term or childhood trauma often takes longer. Your therapist will review progress with you regularly.

Can EMDR feel intense?

It can. Some people feel strong emotions, physical sensations, or vivid memories during or after a session. Your therapist teaches grounding skills first, paces the work with you, and can stop or slow down whenever you need.

Does EMDR have research support?

Yes. EMDR has been studied in many clinical trials, mostly for PTSD, and is included in major clinical guidelines for treating PTSD. Research on its use for other concerns is more limited.

Can EMDR be done online?

Yes. We offer in-person sessions in Hartsdale and virtual sessions for clients located in New York State. Your clinician can adapt EMDR for video, for example by using on-screen movement, self-tapping, or audio tones, and will talk with you about whether virtual sessions suit your situation.

Who will I be working with?

Your therapist will be a licensed clinician trained in EMDR. On your consultation call, we will match you with a clinician based on your concerns and preferences, and we are glad to answer questions about their training and experience.

How do I get started?

Schedule a free consultation. We will talk briefly about what you are looking for and match you with a clinician whose training and style fit your needs.

What if I am in crisis?

PPG provides outpatient care and is not an emergency service. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, at any time. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.