We offer specialized EMDR therapy at Dr. Messina & Associates in Southlake and Flower Mound to help individuals reprocess trauma, relieve distressing symptoms, and reclaim a sense of peace and control in their lives.
For those living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or the lingering effects of painful experiences, traditional talk therapy isn’t always enough. Trauma can embed itself deeply into the brain’s memory networks, often causing emotional responses that feel automatic, overwhelming, and difficult to explain. That’s where EMDR—Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing—comes in.
EMDR therapy is a structured, research-backed approach that helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer trigger the same distressing emotional and physical reactions. Whether you’ve experienced a single traumatic event or years of accumulated emotional pain, EMDR may help you find relief in ways other therapies haven’t.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR therapy doesn’t rely on talking about the trauma in detail. Instead, it works by activating the brain’s natural ability to heal. During a session, your therapist will guide you to briefly recall a specific memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation—typically through directed eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones.
This dual focus allows your brain to safely reprocess painful memories and reduce their emotional charge. Over time, the memory remains, but the response to it changes. What once felt intolerable becomes manageable. For many, EMDR offers results that feel both rapid and profound.
How EMDR helps reduce PTSD symptoms
PTSD is more than a memory problem—it’s a stuck memory problem. The brain hasn’t been able to store the traumatic experience in a way that feels resolved. Instead, the body and nervous system react as though the danger is still happening. Flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbing, and hypervigilance are common symptoms.
EMDR helps by creating a window for the brain to re-file traumatic memories. As the memory is reprocessed, new associations and meaning can develop. This reduces the intensity of fear, shame, or helplessness originally attached to the event.
Clients often report:
- Fewer intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
- Reduced physical anxiety or panic
- Improved sleep and mood
- Greater ability to tolerate difficult emotions
- A sense of resolution around events that once felt overwhelming
Unlike medication, which may dull symptoms, EMDR addresses the root cause—helping your mind complete the processing it couldn’t do at the time of trauma.
Who benefits from EMDR therapy?
EMDR is widely recognized as effective for PTSD, but it’s also helpful for those dealing with:
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- Accidents or medical trauma
- Grief and complicated loss
- Emotional or psychological abuse
- Combat trauma or first responder stress
- Sexual assault and domestic violence
It’s also a strong option for people who’ve tried traditional therapy and felt “stuck.” EMDR can work well as a standalone treatment or alongside other therapeutic approaches.
You don’t need to remember every detail of what happened. You just need a willingness to explore the feelings that remain. At Dr. Messina & Associates, our trained EMDR clinicians work at your pace, ensuring each step feels manageable and safe.
What to expect in your first EMDR session
We don’t start EMDR on day one. The initial sessions are focused on preparation—building trust, teaching you emotional regulation techniques, and identifying the specific experiences that may be targeted. We also assess whether EMDR is a good fit for your needs, symptoms, and readiness.
Once therapy begins, you and your therapist will agree on a target memory. As you recall aspects of that memory, bilateral stimulation is introduced. This phase may bring up emotions, thoughts, or body sensations, but your therapist is trained to keep the process grounded and contained.
After each set of stimulation, you’ll briefly reflect on what’s coming up, and the cycle repeats. The goal is not to relive the trauma, but to move through it—with the brain doing the healing work it was previously unable to complete.
For more support, explore EMDR with experienced guidance
When you need a new path forward after trauma, EMDR therapy offers hope that goes beyond symptom management. At Dr. Messina & Associates, we provide expert EMDR services in Southlake and Flower Mound, helping adults and adolescents safely confront and reprocess the pain of the past. Our licensed therapists are trained in trauma-informed care, ensuring every session meets you with professionalism, compassion, and care.
You deserve to move through life without feeling haunted by your history. Whether you’ve carried the weight of trauma for months or years, healing is possible—and EMDR may be the step that gets you there.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn if EMDR is right for you. Let’s begin the journey toward lasting emotional relief and renewed peace of mind.
