Start Your Healing Journey with EMDR Therapy for Trauma & Anxiety in San Jose, CA
EMDR therapy is a clinically proven, transformative treatment for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Approved by WHO, APA, and VA, EMDR helps quickly reprocess distressing memories. If you live in San Jose, California, and are struggling with trauma, phobias, or chronic pain, EMDR may be the solution you’ve been looking for.
Take the first step toward healing. Dr. Invia, a Certified EMDR Therapist, CSAT, and CPTT at San Jose Counseling, Inc, can help you regain control of your mental health. Book your FREE EMDR consultation today and start your healing journey.
Understanding EMDR Therapy in California
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a standardized, eight-phase treatment that uses bilateral stimulation - such as guided eye movements or tapping - to assist the brain in better processing traumatic memories.
The therapy was accidentally discovered by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 when she realized that her own disturbing thoughts were less disturbing while her eyes were moving quickly during a walk.
This led Shapiro to develop what is now a powerful, evidence-based therapy for processing trauma and emotional distress.
How It Works
EMDR helps your brain reprocess distressing memories by mimicking the process by which your brain reorganizes memory during REM sleep.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, which can include eye movements, tapping, or sounds, to help"unlock" the traumatic, or "stuck" memories allowing the brain to store them properly, thereby diminishing the emotional charge.
EMDR can produce results more efficiently than the longer process typical of talk therapy.
Benefits of EMDR Beyond PTSD
EMDR is most often associated with trauma recovery, but it is effective for:
- Anxiety & Panic Attacks - lessens overwhelming triggers
- Phobias - reduces irrational fears
- Depression - transforms negative beliefs about yourself (for example, "I am unworthy")
- Chronic Pain - works with the physical symptoms linked to trauma
- Addiction – helps resolve the underlying emotional pain and trauma driving compulsive behavior.
EMDR is a flexible, evidence-based approach that helps ease suffering —from anxiety and trauma to chronic pain—offering lasting relief, not just survival.
How do I know if my body is releasing trauma? You might experience shifts in social behavior and increase in energy. These 8 signs show your body is releasing trauma.
EMDR is a flexible, evidence-based approach that helps ease suffering —from anxiety and trauma to chronic pain—offering lasting relief, not just survival.
How do I know if my body is releasing trauma? You might experience shifts in social behavior and increase in energy. These 8 signs show your body is releasing trauma.
The Success Story of One of Our Patients Who Healed in Three EMDR Sessions.
After a serious accident, a patient of San Jose Counseling developed a deep fear of being near moving vehicles. The anxiety was so intense that even standing on the sidewalk felt overwhelming.
Through EMDR sessions at San Jose Counseling, she was able to safely process the trauma connected to the event.
Today, she is able to be near vehicles without the intense fear she once felt and is finding her way back to normal life, feeling more at ease.
Could EMDR help you regain your life? Ask Dr. Invia today!
The EMDR Complete Process Explained
EMDR therapy has eight steps that work together to help you safely work through traumatic memories. Each step builds on the one before, guiding you gently toward healing and feeling better.
Here is a brief overview of how it will look:
Phase 1 :
History-Taking
Your therapist will explore your personal history and, together, you will identify the trauma-related memories you want to process. They will use this information to create a treatment plan that supports you.
Phase 2 :
Preparation
In this step, your therapist will introduce you to different coping skills. For example, the "safe place" technique helps you manage emotional distress between sessions. It also builds trust and creates a foundation for moving forward.
Phase 3 :
Assessment
Your therapist will explore your personal history and, together, you will identify the trauma-related memories you want to process. They will use this information to create a treatment plan that supports you.
Phases 4-6 :
Processing
Using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or tones) you will process the memory, while your therapist guides you to simply observe what comes up without judgement. As your body shows signs of releasing trauma, the emotional charge of the memory will slowly diminish as new connections are formed.
Phase 7 :
Closure
Each session wraps up with stabilization techniques that help you leave the session feeling grounded. You may be given exercises to practice at home between sessions.
Phase 8 :
Reevaluation
At the start of subsequent sessions, your therapist checks your progress and determines if additional processing is needed for any remaining distress.The systematic process helps promote deeper healing while creating a sense of emotional safety.
EMDR vs. Other Therapies in California
If you’re seeking trauma treatment in California, understanding the differences between therapies can help you make an informed choice.
Here is how EMDR differs from other common approaches.
EMDR therapy gets to the root of traumatic memories by helping the brain reprocess them, often leading to deeper and longer-lasting relief than treatments that just manage the symptoms.
If you're seeking recovery from trauma, EMDR can be a deeply effective and compassionate approach. Other therapies may also be helpful, depending on what you’re struggling with and what feels right for you.
Need help choosing? Consult Dr. Invia for personalized guidance
Does EMDR Work for Non-PTSD Conditions?
If you're dealing with chronic negative thoughts, triggers, or events from your past that are still impacting your life today, EMDR may be helpful even without a full PTSD diagnosis.
It can help with a variety of other struggles too:
EMDR targets the root memories that impact anxiety attacks or phobias (i.e., fear of driving after getting in a car accident) and decreases the emotional intensity connected to those root memories.
EMDR Controversies: Examining the Evidence
Even though EMDR has helped millions of people, some still have questions about it.
Because it can work relatively quickly, critics sometimes say it sounds “too good to be true.”
Some folks aren’t sure if the eye movements actually make a difference. There are also concerns that a few therapists might hype up the results too much or create a cult-like atmosphere around EMDR.
Regardless, research supports the effect of EMDR:
- Numerous meta-analyses demonstrated that EMDR had comparable effects to trauma focused CBT but with fewer total sessions.
- A 2024 study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry concluded that EMDR significantly reduced PTSD symptoms and the positive results continued at follow-up.
- The VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guidelines rate EMDR with a "strong recommendation" for combat related PTSD.
The main thing that makes a difference isn’t just the eye movements—it’s how well the therapist is trained.
Most of the positive results come from the therapist’s skill, not just the technique alone.
Potential Risks, Side Effects and Ways to Mitigation
While EMDR therapy produces deep healing and great benefits for patients, there might be some temporary risk and side effects to be kept in mind.
For example, during EMDR sessions, patients might feel distress or increased discomfort due to vivid recalls - These reactions are expected and short-lived, but can be tough in the moment.
Good therapists will work at a pace that lets the patient stay grounded, while creating a safe space for them.
There are instances when EMDR therapy may not be appropriate – like when someone is experiencing severe dissociation,active psychotic, or certain neurological problems.
In those cases, The treatment might need to be adjusted to fit their situation and make sure they feel safe.
This is why it’s best to discuss with your therapist about your readiness and build a strong therapeutic alliance prior to treatment.
Contact San Jose Counseling today and get the support your healing journey needs!Most of the positive results come from the therapist’s skill, not just the technique alone.
This is How You Should Prepare for EMDR Therapy in San Jose California.
While EMDR can be life-changing, it's important to prepare in order to have the best therapeutic experience possible. Here are four steps to take before therapy begins:
Final Verdict: Is EMDR Right for Me?
If you're struggling with trauma, anxiety, or persistent negative beliefs, EMDR offers an evidence-based, fast treatment with lasting effects.
With decades of research supporting its effectiveness, EMDR is particularly beneficial for patients whose progress has stalled or have tried talk therapy without success.
Consider EMDR if you experience:
- Addictions
- Anxiety/panic attacks
- Phobias or irrational fears
- PTSD or trauma symptoms
- Depression rooted in past experiences
As a Certified EMDR Therapist with specialized trauma training, Dr. Invia provides personalized care to ensure your treatment meets your unique needs.
Take the next step. Schedule your FREE EMDR consultation today!
