EMDR Therapy Near Me: What It Is and How to Get Started–With a Scottsdale EMDR Certified Therapist
If you’ve ever felt stuck in painful memories or noticed that certain experiences keep replaying in your mind, no matter how much time has passed, you’re not alone. Trauma leaves more than just emotional scars — it changes the way your brain stores and processes information.
That’s where EMDR therapy for sexual trauma & PTSD comes in. Short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMDR is an evidence-based approach that helps your brain heal from traumatic experiences so you can finally feel calm, safe, and in control again.
As an EMDR-certified therapist in Scottsdale, I use this method to help clients process trauma in a way that feels gentle yet powerful. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, PTSD, sexual trauma, or painful memories that won’t fade, EMDR offers hope — and a clear path toward healing.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy was developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. She discovered that specific types of eye movements, when paired with recalling distressing memories, could reduce the emotional intensity of those memories.
Since then, EMDR has been researched extensively and is now recognized by organizations like the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization as an effective form of trauma therapy.
During EMDR sessions, you and your therapist will identify memories or experiences that continue to cause distress. While focusing on those memories, you’ll follow gentle bilateral stimulation — such as side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or sounds. This process helps the brain “re-file” the memory so it no longer feels as raw or overwhelming.
Many clients describe EMDR as finally being able to move past what once felt unbearable — without needing to retell every detail or relive the trauma.
How Does EMDR Work?
When a traumatic event happens, your brain’s natural way of processing information can become “stuck.” Instead of moving the experience into long-term memory, it stays in the emotional part of the brain — often triggered by sights, sounds, or sensations that remind you of the past.
EMDR therapy helps the brain finish what it couldn’t complete on its own. By using bilateral stimulation, the left and right hemispheres of the brain begin communicating more effectively, allowing the traumatic memory to be stored properly.
You might still remember what happened, but the emotional charge lessens. The nightmare, panic, or flashback loses its grip. Over time, the memory becomes “just something that happened” — not something that defines you.
What EMDR Can Help With
EMDR is a flexible and trauma-informed approach that can be used for many emotional and psychological challenges, including:
Anxiety and panic attacks
Sexual trauma and abuse
Negative self-beliefs (“I’m not good enough,” “It was my fault”)
Grief and loss
Sexual shame about kinks or sexual preferences
Because EMDR addresses the root cause of distress rather than just the symptoms, many people find relief faster than with traditional talk therapy alone.
Why Choose Trauma-Informed Therapy
A trauma-informed therapy approach means your therapist understands how trauma impacts the brain, body, and relationships — and tailors your care with safety and compassion in mind.
Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with you?” trauma-informed therapists ask, “What happened to you?” This shift helps reduce shame and empowers clients to see their reactions as understandable responses to difficult experiences.
In my practice, I combine EMDR with trauma-informed care to ensure that you always feel grounded, respected, and in control. Every session is paced according to your comfort level — never rushed or forced. Healing only happens when your body feels safe.
Getting Started With EMDR Therapy in scottsdale, az
Starting EMDR therapy begins with a simple conversation. Your first few sessions focus on:
History & Assessment: We’ll discuss your background, symptoms, and goals to determine if EMDR is right for you.
Preparation: You’ll learn grounding techniques and coping tools so you can manage emotions safely during sessions.
Processing: Once you’re ready, we’ll use bilateral stimulation to begin reprocessing distressing memories.
Integration: After sessions, we’ll help your brain and body integrate the new, healthier beliefs you’ve formed.
EMDR isn’t a quick fix, but it often moves faster than other types of trauma therapy because it works directly with the brain’s natural healing system. Clients frequently notice changes in their emotional responses after just a few sessions.
The Perks of Online EMDR Therapy
You don’t have to live near your therapist to experience the benefits of EMDR. Online EMDR therapy offers the same scientifically supported techniques — from the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Here’s why many clients prefer it:
More privacy: You can participate in sessions without leaving your safe space, which is especially helpful for those healing from trauma or sexual abuse.
Increased comfort: Being in a familiar environment helps your nervous system relax, allowing EMDR to work more effectively.
Flexible scheduling: No commute means more time for you — and less stress about fitting therapy into your day.
Accessibility: If you live outside Scottsdale or have mobility limitations, online therapy ensures you can still receive high-quality, trauma-informed care.
Virtual EMDR uses secure video platforms and tools designed to mimic the same bilateral stimulation you’d receive in person. The results can be just as transformative.
Choosing the Right EMDR-Certified Therapist in scottsdale, az
When looking for EMDR therapy near you, it’s important to find someone who is EMDR-certified rather than just trained. Certification means your therapist has completed advanced training, ongoing consultation, and demonstrated skill in using EMDR effectively.
As an EMDR-certified therapist in Scottsdale, I use this method not only for trauma but also for issues like body image struggles, sexual shame, relationship stress, and anxiety. My goal is to help clients process what’s holding them back so they can reconnect with joy, confidence, and safety in their bodies.
You Deserve to Heal
Trauma can make you feel like you’re frozen in the past, but you don’t have to stay there. EMDR therapy helps you move forward — not by erasing what happened, but by helping your mind understand that you survived it.
Whether you start in person or online, working with a compassionate, trauma-informed therapist can change the way you experience yourself and the world. Healing is possible, and it begins with one brave step.
If you’re ready to move beyond survival mode and start living again, The Connection Couch is here to help. I offer PTSD therapy, EMDR therapy, and sexual trauma therapy both in-person in Scottsdale, AZ, and online throughout Arizona and Utah.
Here’s how to get started with EMDR therapy for PTSD or complex trauma in Scottsdale, AZ:
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to explore your concerns and see if we’re the right fit.
Book your first session and begin working toward deeper connection and renewed intimacy.
Reach out today to schedule a consultation or learn more about how EMDR trauma therapy can support your relationship.
Additionally, I work with individuals and couples working through sexual concerns, erectile dysfunction, sexual trauma, BDSM/kink, and painful sex.
Beyond Scottsdale, I also serve Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Tucson, Queen Creek, Gilbert, Salt Lake City, Park City, and Alpine, Utah.
About the Author
Holly Nelson, LPC, NCC, EMDR Certified, and AASECT Sex Therapist (in training), is the founder of The Connection Couch in Scottsdale, Arizona. Holly has dedicated her career to helping survivors of sexual trauma heal through EMDR and sex therapy. With a warm, compassionate, and sex positive approach, she empowers clients to reclaim intimacy, rebuild trust, and experience authentic connection.
Holly has been featured in major publications such as HuffPost, Stylist’s Strong Women, Well Beings News, and VoyagePhoenix. Through her practice, The Connection Couch, Holly offers compassionate, trauma-informed care that empowers clients to embrace their sexuality with confidence and ease.