EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) in Lehi, Utah
EMDR is a well-researched therapy for trauma and distressing memories. At Therapy Utah, our trained therapists use EMDR to help your brain reprocess painful experiences so they lose their grip and stop driving your day-to-day life.
What is EMDR?
A structured, evidence-based therapy that helps the brain process and resolve distressing memories.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s built on the idea that the mind can heal from emotional wounds much like the body heals from physical ones, but sometimes a painful memory gets “stuck” and keeps causing distress long after the event is over. EMDR helps your brain reprocess those memories so they feel less raw and no longer trigger the same overwhelming reactions.
During reprocessing, your therapist guides you to briefly hold a difficult memory in mind while you follow a form of bilateral stimulation, often side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or tones. This appears to help the brain integrate the memory in a calmer, more adaptive way. EMDR is recognized as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD by major health organizations, and it’s commonly used alongside somatic therapy and Internal Family Systems.
What EMDR can help with
EMDR is best known for trauma, but it can ease a range of distress rooted in difficult experiences.
- Trauma and PTSD
- Betrayal trauma
- Anxiety and panic
- Depression tied to past experiences
- Distressing or intrusive memories
- Grief and loss
- Phobias and triggers
- Low self-worth rooted in old wounds
If a specific event or a pattern of painful experiences keeps surfacing, EMDR may help you process it without having to relive every detail out loud.
How EMDR works and what to expect
A phased process built on safety and preparation before any reprocessing begins.
History and preparation
Your therapist learns your story, identifies the memories to target, and teaches grounding skills so you feel steady and resourced before reprocessing.
Reprocessing
You briefly focus on a target memory while following bilateral stimulation. Over sets, the memory typically becomes less distressing and more manageable.
Integration
You and your therapist strengthen positive beliefs, check that the memory feels settled, and make sure you leave each session grounded.
Is EMDR right for you?
A strong option if past experiences still affect how you feel and function today.
EMDR can be a good fit when talk therapy alone hasn’t fully eased the impact of a difficult memory, or when putting an experience into words feels too hard. Because it works with distressing material, the preparation phase matters, and your therapist will move at a pace that keeps you safe. Several of our therapists are trained in EMDR, including Kelly King, Amanda Heaton, and Grant Helt. If EMDR isn’t the right starting point, we may suggest Accelerated Resolution Therapy or CBT, and we’ll decide together during your intake.
Work with an EMDR-trained therapist
Individual sessions are $125–$200 and last 50–60 minutes, depending on the therapist you match with. Before we match you, you’ll complete a 50–60 minute intake and assessment for $150.
Book your intakeEMDR FAQ
A few of the questions we hear most often.
Do I have to talk about every detail of what happened?
No. One reason people choose EMDR is that you don’t have to describe a memory in full detail to reprocess it. You focus on the memory internally while your therapist guides the process.
How many sessions does EMDR take?
It varies. A single, recent event may resolve more quickly, while complex or long-standing trauma usually takes longer. Time spent on preparation and stabilization is part of doing EMDR well.
Is EMDR safe?
EMDR is a well-established, widely used therapy. Your therapist builds in grounding skills and works at a pace that keeps you regulated, so you don’t feel overwhelmed between or during sessions.
How is EMDR different from talk therapy?
Traditional talk therapy focuses on discussing and understanding your experiences. EMDR adds a structured reprocessing element designed to change how distressing memories are stored, so they feel less charged.
How much does it cost?
Sessions are $125–$200 each, depending on the therapist you match with. You’ll also complete an initial intake and assessment for $150. We’re a private-pay practice.
Related conditions and approaches
Explore where EMDR fits alongside the concerns we treat and the methods we use.
Ready to talk to someone?
Book online or call/text 385-254-3522 — we have openings this week.
Book an AppointmentIf you’re in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 anytime, or call 911 in an emergency.