Some experiences do not stay in the past. A sound, a smell, a news story, or a certain tone of voice can bring the fear, shame, or panic rushing back as though it were happening all over again. You may understand, logically, that the event is over, yet still feel your body react as if it isn't. If this sounds familiar, EMDR therapy may help. At The Smith Counseling Group, we offer EMDR therapy to adults and teens who are ready to loosen the hold that painful memories have on their lives. We see clients in person at our Maryland office from across the DMV, including Washington, DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Northern Virginia, and Montgomery County, and offer telehealth to Maryland residents.

Our therapists are trained in EMDR and other evidence-based trauma therapies. We see clients in person from Maryland, Washington, DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Northern Virginia, with telehealth available to Maryland residents.

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What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured psychotherapy that Francine Shapiro first developed in 1987 to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to the American Psychological Association. The World Health Organization's guidance on mental health care after trauma names EMDR, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, as a treatment that should be considered for people with PTSD. The American Psychological Association's clinical practice guideline for PTSD also includes EMDR among its recommended treatments.

EMDR is guided by a model called Adaptive Information Processing, which holds that distressing symptoms can persist when a past experience was never fully processed. Instead of feeling like something that happened, the memory stays "stuck" — vivid, raw, and easily triggered. As the American Psychological Association describes it, the goal of EMDR is to reduce the vividness and emotional charge of the memory and change the way it is stored. You do not forget what happened. The aim is for the memory to stop running in your present.

What Happens in an EMDR Session

One of the most common worries about EMDR is that you will be asked to relive your worst moment right away. That is not how it works. EMDR follows a careful, phased approach, and the early sessions are about preparation, not reprocessing.

At the beginning, your therapist will get to know your history and goals and help you build skills to ground and calm your nervous system. These tools give you a sense of safety and control before you approach any difficult material. Together, you will identify the specific memories, triggers, and beliefs you want to work on.

When you are ready, reprocessing begins. You will briefly focus on a memory while your therapist guides you through sets of rhythmic left-right stimulation, most often eye movements (APA). Between sets, you pause and notice what comes up. You can stop at any time, and you stay awake, aware, and in charge throughout. Our therapists aim to close each session with you feeling settled.

What EMDR Can Help With

EMDR was developed for, and is best studied as, a treatment for PTSD. During a consultation, your therapist may talk with you about whether EMDR fits concerns like these:

Single-incident trauma, such as a car accident, assault, or frightening medical event
Complex or developmental trauma from ongoing experiences in childhood or relationships
Sexual assault and the lasting fear, shame, or hypervigilance that can follow it
Distress triggered by news coverage or public events that echo your own experiences
Anxiety and panic connected to specific past events
Negative beliefs about yourself that formed during painful experiences
Distressing memories that keep intruding on daily life, sleep, or relationships

If you are not sure whether what you are carrying "counts" as trauma, that is okay. You do not need a diagnosis to reach out.

When the News Reopens Old Wounds

High-profile news stories about violence, assault, or abuse can be deeply triggering, especially for people who have lived through something similar. A headline or a trending story can bring back memories you thought you had put away, along with sleeplessness, irritability, or a feeling of being unsafe in your own life.

These reactions are understandable, and they may indicate that additional support could be helpful. EMDR, alongside other trauma therapies, can help you work through the original experience so that future reminders lose some of their power.

EMDR as Part of a Broader Treatment Plan

EMDR is one tool among several, and it works best as part of a thoughtful, individualized plan. At The Smith Counseling Group, our therapists draw on a range of evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy that explores the patterns underneath your symptoms. For some clients, EMDR is the centerpiece of treatment. For others, it is woven together with skills-based work for anxiety or depression. Trauma can also be connected to disordered eating, which we discuss in our post on eating disorders and trauma.

At The Smith Counseling Group, we prioritize symptom relief and early progress. We will talk openly with you about how things are going and adjust as needed.

EMDR for Teens

The World Health Organization's guidelines for stress-related conditions cover children and adolescents as well as adults. Our teen and adolescent therapy services can include EMDR when it is a good fit, and we involve parents in ways that support the work while respecting a teen's privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

EMDR may be a good fit if a past experience still feels present — if you avoid reminders, feel on edge, have intrusive memories, or carry beliefs about yourself that trace back to a painful event. During a consultation, your therapist will help you decide whether EMDR, another approach, or a combination makes the most sense.
No. According to the American Psychological Association, EMDR does not require a detailed retelling of the trauma or extended exposure to the memory. You share as much or as little as you are comfortable with.
It depends on what you are working on. The American Psychological Association notes that EMDR for PTSD is usually delivered in 6 to 12 sessions, once or twice a week, and some people need fewer. Your therapist can help you better understand your situation and discuss realistic expectations once they understand your individual needs and circumstances.
Reprocessing can bring up strong emotions. That is why we begin with building coping skills, and why your therapist checks in with you throughout every session. You can pause or stop at any time, and sessions are designed to close with you feeling grounded.
Telehealth is available to clients who live in Maryland, and we are happy to talk with you about whether EMDR by video is a good fit. Clients from Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia are welcome to see us in person at our Maryland office.
You can find current information on our service fees page, or contact us with any questions about cost.
The easiest way to get started is to reach out through our contact page. A member of our team will follow up to talk through what you are looking for and schedule a consultation.

The past does not have to keep running your present.

The Smith Counseling Group provides EMDR therapy at our Maryland office for clients from Maryland, Washington, DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Northern Virginia, and Montgomery County. Telehealth is available to Maryland residents. Reach Out to Get Started

EMDR Therapy