EMDR Therapy Services in Los Angeles

If you’ve been living with the weight of unresolved trauma, anxiety, or painful memories, EMDR therapy in Los Angeles offers a proven path toward healing. I provide Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in a safe, supportive space, helping you process difficult experiences and shift the way they live in your mind and body. Whether you’re struggling with the lingering effects of a single event or the cumulative impact of years of stress, EMDR can help you feel lighter, calmer, and more in control of your life.

What Is Trauma-Focused EMDR Therapy and How It Works

Trauma-focused EMDR therapy is an evidence-based approach designed to help the brain reprocess distressing memories so they no longer trigger the same intense emotional and physical reactions. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements or tapping—to engage both sides of the brain. This process helps your nervous system integrate the memory, reducing its emotional charge and allowing you to move forward without being pulled back into the past.

Why Choose Aurisha for EMDR Therapy in Los Angeles

As a licensed marriage and family therapist with advanced training in EMDR, I bring a compassionate, relational approach to trauma healing. My work blends EMDR with mindfulness, somatic awareness, and attachment-focused therapy to create a deeply personalized experience. You won’t find a cookie-cutter process here—each session is guided by your pace, your comfort level, and your goals. Having supported clients through experiences ranging from childhood trauma to recent life crises, I understand how to hold space for vulnerability while helping you move toward lasting change.

Aurisha Smolarski, LMFT

What to Expect During an EMDR Session

In our sessions, we’ll move through the eight phases of EMDR at a pace that feels safe for you. We’ll begin with history-taking and preparation, ensuring you have strong emotional “resources” in place before addressing the difficult memories. During reprocessing, I’ll guide you through sets of bilateral stimulation while you focus on a targeted memory, allowing your brain to naturally integrate the experience. We’ll close each session by grounding and debriefing, so you leave feeling stable and supported. Sessions typically last 50 minutes, and many clients begin noticing positive shifts within a few meetings.

Benefits of EMDR

Many clients are surprised by how quickly EMDR can create meaningful changes. For some, long-standing symptoms like intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or sudden panic begin to fade within weeks. Others notice a gradual but steady lightness, as if the emotional weight they’ve been carrying has finally begun to lift. By addressing both mind and body, EMDR helps regulate the nervous system, reduce emotional reactivity, and replace limiting beliefs with healthier, more empowering ones.

FAQs

Is EMDR right for me?

If you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, grief, or distressing life experiences that still feel “alive” in your body or mind, EMDR may help. In our initial consultation, we’ll explore your history, needs, and readiness to ensure this is the right approach for you.

How is EMDR different from other therapies?

While talk therapy focuses on discussing experiences, EMDR actively engages the brain’s natural healing process to rewire how those experiences are stored and remembered. This often leads to faster symptom reduction and long-term results.

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Ready to Begin Your Journey?

Your healing can start today. I offer a complimentary phone consultation so you can share your goals, ask questions, and decide if EMDR is the right fit for you. Let’s create a space where you feel safe, supported, and ready to reclaim your life.

I offer EMDR sessions in person at my Los Angeles office and online throughout California.