EMDR Therapy in San Miguel de Allende
(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Transform Trauma.
Restore Confidence.
Reclaim Your Life.
You’ve tried to move forward, but the weight of the past still sits in your body and mind. Anxiety, self-doubt, the echo of a difficult experience — these don’t just disappear with time. I can help you shift them at their roots.
I’ve been practicing EMDR since 1995 and have guided hundreds of people through this gentle, proven process. By staying current with annual conferences on EMDR, neurobiology and advanced trauma treatment I’lI make sure you receive care that’s both deeply experienced and informed by the latest understanding of how we heal.
Whether you’re carrying a single traumatic event, the cumulative load of a difficult past, or a performance block that’s holding you back, EMDR can help you finally feel free.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — is an evidence-based therapy recognized by the World Health Organization, the American Psychiatric Association, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, it allows people to process disturbing memories without needing to describe them in detail.
When you’re overwhelmed, the brain can’t store an experience properly. The memory stays “frozen,” and recalling it can feel as raw as the original event. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or gentle tapping) while you briefly hold the memory in mind. This helps your brain re-file the memory so it loses its emotional grip, freeing you to see yourself and the world with fresh clarity.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR moves through eight distinct phases, each one designed to keep you safe and supported while we gently uncover and reprocess what’s been stuck. We go at the pace your nervous system can handle — never faster than feels right.
Phase 1 & 2: Getting to Know You, Getting Ready
We start with conversation. I’ll listen to what brings you in, what you’ve lived through, and where you’d like to go. Together we build a clear picture of your history and identify the memories that need attention. During this time, I’ll explain how EMDR works, answer every question you have, and make sure you have a handful of simple coping tools — grounding techniques, ways to settle yourself — before we touch any difficult material. Some people spend quite a bit of time here, and that’s perfectly fine. Feeling ready and safe is the foundation of everything that follows.
Phase 3: Setting Our Sights
Once we’re both clear on the direction, we choose a specific memory to work with. I’ll ask you to notice the image that comes up, the negative belief about yourself tied to it, the feelings it stirs, and where you sense those feelings in your body. We take a quick baseline measure so we can track your relief as it unfolds.
Phases 4, 5 & 6: The Heart of Reprocessing
These are the phases people most often associate with EMDR. While you hold the memory in mind, I’ll guide you through bilateral stimulation — side-to-side eye movements, gentle tapping, or alternating tones. This dual attention keeps one foot in the present while allowing the brain to digest the past. As the emotional charge subsides, we’ll gently shift to strengthening a positive belief you’d rather carry — something like “I am safe now” or “I handled it the best I could.” We’ll continue until that belief feels solid and true. Then I’ll ask you to scan your body from head to toe, holding both the memory and the new belief. Any lingering tension or unease gets its own gentle attention until your body feels clear and at rest.
Phases 4, 5 & 6: The Heart of Reprocessing
These are the phases people most often associate with EMDR. While you hold the memory in mind, I’ll guide you through bilateral stimulation — side-to-side eye movements, gentle tapping, or alternating tones. This dual attention keeps one foot in the present while allowing the brain to digest the past. As the emotional charge subsides, we’ll gently shift to strengthening a positive belief you’d rather carry — something like “I am safe now” or “I handled it the best I could.” We’ll continue until that belief feels solid and true. Then I’ll ask you to scan your body from head to toe, holding both the memory and the new belief. Any lingering tension or unease gets its own gentle attention until your body feels clear and at rest.