Healing from Trauma with EMDR Therapy in St. Petersburg, FL
rauma doesn’t just live in our memories — it lives in the body and mind. Many people carry the emotional impact of painful experiences long after the event itself, leading to anxiety, depression, flashbacks, or chronic self-doubt.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a powerful, evidence-based approach designed to help the brain process and release these stored memories so healing can occur naturally.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy helps clients reprocess distressing experiences that were never fully resolved. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — typically guided eye movements, tapping, or sounds — to activate both sides of the brain. This process helps the brain “unstick” from old patterns of fear or pain and form new, balanced perspectives.
Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR has been extensively researched and is recognized by the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization as an effective treatment for trauma.
What EMDR Can Help With
While EMDR is best known for treating post-traumatic stress, it’s also highly effective for:
Childhood or relational trauma
Emotional or physical abuse
Grief and loss
Anxiety and panic
Low self-esteem or chronic guilt
Work-related stress or burnout
Phobias and performance blocks
What to Expect in an EMDR Session
Sessions begin with stabilization and grounding so you feel safe and supported. Once you’re ready, your therapist guides you through gentle sets of bilateral stimulation while you focus on a memory, emotion, or body sensation.
Over time, the memory loses its emotional intensity — you still remember what happened, but it no longer feels overwhelming. Clients often describe a sense of relief, clarity, and peace after completing EMDR processing.
Why EMDR Works
Trauma memories are stored in the brain in a “frozen” or fragmented state. EMDR helps the nervous system reprocess them so they can move into long-term memory — where they no longer trigger fight-or-flight responses. It’s a bit like your mind finally finishing a task it’s been stuck on for years.
Is EMDR Right for You?
If you’ve tried talk therapy and still feel stuck, EMDR may be the next step. It’s suitable for adults, teens, and even children in some cases, and it can be integrated with mindfulness and holistic approaches for deeper healing.
Start Your Healing Journey
At St. Petersburg Holistic Psychology Clinic, our EMDR-trained therapists create a calm, compassionate environment where you can safely explore and release the weight of the past.
Meet Dr. Zoe Verrico — EMDR-trained therapist
Dr. Zoe Verrico provides EMDR within a holistic, evidence-based framework to help clients process traumatic memories, reduce anxiety, and restore nervous-system balance. Sessions emphasize safety, pacing, and practical tools you can use between visits.
Schedule with Dr. Zoe: Book a Private Pay Appointment or call (813) 641-4463 to request an EMDR consultation.
