Trauma Can Continue to Affect You Long After the Experience Has Passed

Difficult or overwhelming experiences can affect the way you think, feel, respond to stress, and connect with others. You may understand intellectually that an experience is in the past, yet still feel as though your mind or body reacts as if the danger is happening now.

Trauma therapy can help you better understand these responses, develop greater emotional stability, and process experiences that continue to interfere with your life.

I provide secure online trauma therapy and EMDR for adults throughout Utah. Treatment is personalized to your needs and may incorporate EMDR along with other evidence-based and evidence-informed approaches.

Trauma therapy may help if you experience:

• Distressing or intrusive memories

• Anxiety related to past experiences

• Feeling constantly on guard or unable to relax

• Avoidance of people, places, situations, or memories

• Strong emotional reactions or feeling easily triggered

• Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe

• Shame, guilt, or negative beliefs about yourself

• Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected

• Sleep difficulties related to stressful experiences

• Persistent effects of difficult or overwhelming life experiences

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy approach designed to help people process distressing experiences and reduce the emotional intensity associated with difficult memories.

During EMDR therapy, attention is given to troubling memories, thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations while bilateral stimulation is used as part of the processing experience. Bilateral stimulation may involve guided eye movements or other forms of alternating left-right stimulation.

The goal is not to erase memories. Instead, EMDR is intended to help the brain process experiences so that memories may become less emotionally overwhelming and negative beliefs connected to those experiences can begin to change.

How EMDR Therapy Works

EMDR therapy follows a structured process that begins with understanding your history, identifying treatment goals, and developing skills to help you feel prepared for trauma processing.

When you are ready, EMDR may involve focusing on aspects of a distressing experience while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or other alternating left-right stimulation.

Over time, this process may help reduce the emotional intensity connected to distressing memories and support the development of more adaptive beliefs about yourself and your experiences.

EMDR treatment may include:

• Understanding your history and identifying treatment goals

• Developing grounding and emotional regulation skills

• Identifying memories, beliefs, emotions, and physical sensations connected to distressing experiences

• Using bilateral stimulation during trauma processing

• Monitoring changes in emotional distress and beliefs

• Developing more adaptive beliefs about yourself and your experiences 

• Building skills for managing future triggers and stressful situations

What Can EMDR Help With?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It may also be incorporated into treatment when distressing past experiences contribute to current emotional difficulties.

EMDR therapy may help address:

• Trauma and posttraumatic stress symptoms

• Distressing memories of difficult life experiences

• Negative beliefs about yourself connected to trauma

• Shame, guilt, or fear associated with traumatic experiences

• Emotional distress triggered by reminders of past experiences

EMDR may also be considered when past experiences contribute to anxiety, panic symptoms, grief, or relationship difficulties. Its effectiveness for these concerns varies, and treatment should be individualized.

At A Sound Mind Counseling, I provide online trauma and EMDR therapy for adults throughout Utah. Together, we'll explore your experiences, discuss your treatment goals, and determine whether EMDR is appropriate for your needs.

My Approach to Trauma & EMDR Therapy

Trauma therapy should move at a pace that respects your individual needs, experiences, and readiness. My approach is collaborative, practical, and focused on helping you feel supported throughout the therapeutic process.

EMDR does not mean immediately beginning to process your most difficult experiences. We begin by understanding your concerns, identifying treatment goals, and developing appropriate coping strategies and resources.

When clinically appropriate, EMDR can be incorporated into your personalized treatment plan alongside other evidence-informed therapeutic approaches.

In our work together, we may focus on:

• Understanding how past experiences influence your current thoughts, emotions, and relationships

• Identifying triggers and patterns that contribute to ongoing distress

• Developing emotional regulation and grounding skills

• Addressing negative beliefs associated with difficult experiences

• Processing distressing memories using EMDR when appropriate

• Building confidence and developing practical strategies for managing everyday challenges

You remain an active participant throughout therapy. We can adjust the pace and approach according to your needs. EMDR is one treatment option, and it does not have to be used in every session.

Can EMDR Be Done Online?

Yes. Online EMDR therapy is available to adults throughout Utah through secure telehealth appointments. This allows you to receive trauma-focused treatment from a private, comfortable location without traveling to an office.

Online EMDR follows the same general treatment framework as in-person EMDR. Bilateral stimulation can be adapted for telehealth using guided eye movements, alternating tapping, or other clinically appropriate methods.

Before beginning EMDR processing, we'll discuss your treatment goals, readiness, privacy, technology, and strategies for managing distress during and between sessions.

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for online EMDR. We'll evaluate your individual circumstances and determine whether telehealth EMDR is an appropriate treatment option.

Benefits of Online EMDR Therapy

• Access to specialized trauma and EMDR therapy throughout Utah

• Convenient appointments without traveling to an office

• The comfort and privacy of participating from your own space

• Personalized treatment based on your individual needs and goals

Interested in online EMDR therapy in Utah?

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your concerns, ask questions, and explore whether online trauma and EMDR therapy may be appropriate for you.

What to Expect When Starting Trauma & EMDR Therapy

Beginning trauma therapy doesn't mean you have to immediately discuss every detail of difficult experiences. Your first sessions provide an opportunity for us to get acquainted, discuss your concerns, and identify what you hope to achieve through therapy.

Your first sessions may include:

• Discussing your concerns and what brings you to therapy

• Reviewing relevant personal history and previous treatment experiences

• Identifying your goals and answering questions about trauma therapy and EMDR

• Developing an individualized treatment plan

• Determining whether EMDR is appropriate for your needs

As therapy progresses, we'll regularly evaluate your progress and adjust treatment as needed. When appropriate, we'll incorporate EMDR into your treatment plan.

You remain an active participant in your treatment. We'll work collaboratively to establish a pace that considers your readiness, preferences, and clinical needs.

Ready to Get Started?

You do not have to wait until the effects of trauma become overwhelming to seek support. If difficult experiences continue to affect your emotions, relationships, sense of safety, or ability to move forward, therapy may help.

I offer a free 15-minute consultation for adults considering trauma therapy or EMDR. This gives you an opportunity to briefly discuss what you are looking for, ask questions about the therapy process, and determine whether working together feels like a good fit.

Explore Related Therapy Services

Online Anxiety Therapy in Utah

Anxiety and trauma can sometimes overlap. If you're experiencing persistent worry, panic, overthinking, or chronic stress, learn how online anxiety therapy can help you develop practical strategies for managing these concerns.

Explore Online Anxiety Therapy in Utah

Learn More About A Sound Mind Counseling

Learn about Steven Loader, PhD, CMHC, his clinical experience, and his personalized approach to helping adults navigate anxiety, trauma, and difficult life experiences.

Meet Steven Loader, PhD, CMHC

Additional Anxiety & Trauma Resources 

Steven Loader, PhD, CMHC

A Sound Mind Counseling

Online Trauma & EMDR Therapy for Adults in Utah