Frequently Asked Questions
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy designed to help people heal from trauma, anxiety, and painful life experiences that may still feel “stuck.”
Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds alternating between the left and right sides of the body—to help the brain reprocess distressing memories.
In simple terms, EMDR helps the brain “digest” difficult experiences so they no longer trigger emotional pain in the present.
When something overwhelming happens, the brain’s natural ability to process experiences can become blocked. Instead of storing the memory as part of your past, the experience stays active—causing flashbacks, anxiety, or emotional distress.
During EMDR, you’ll safely revisit parts of those memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This allows the brain to reprocess the memory and file it away properly, reducing its emotional intensity.
You don’t erase the memory—you heal the way your mind holds it.
Each EMDR session follows a structured eight-phase process that includes:
History and Preparation: We discuss your goals and build coping tools.
Assessment: You choose a specific memory to target.
Desensitization: Bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or sounds) helps your brain process the memory.
Reprocessing and Installation: New, healthier beliefs begin to take hold.
Body Scan and Closure: We ensure your body and mind feel calm before ending the session.
Throughout EMDR, grounding and regulation techniques help you stay present and safe, such as:
Box Breathing: Inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4.
4-7-8 Breathing: Inhale 4, hold 7, exhale 8 to calm the nervous system.
Bilateral Tapping: Lightly tap alternating sides of your body to engage both hemispheres of the brain.
Resource Installation: Visualizing safe or positive memories to strengthen resilience.
EMDR is widely used for:
Trauma and PTSD
Anxiety and panic
Grief and loss
Phobias and fears
Performance and test anxiety
Chronic pain
EMDR has been researched for over 30 years and is recognized by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychiatric Association as one of the most effective treatments for trauma. Many clients report relief and emotional clarity in fewer sessions than traditional talk therapy.
Psychedelic assisted therapy is a treatment model where a person receives mental health support before and after a psychedelic experience. The goal is emotional healing, trauma processing, and long term change.
I offer only psychotherapy, not the medicine itself.
No. I do not provide, supply, recommend, or arrange access to any psychedelic substances.
My work is preparation and integration psychotherapy only.
I support adults who: receive ketamine treatment in California, participate in approved research or clinical programs, travel overseas for legal psychedelic therapy, or choose to use psychedelics on their own and want mental health support and harm reduction.
All care stays within the scope of California psychotherapy.
Ketamine
Ketamine is legal in the United States when provided by a licensed medical professional. It is used for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
MDMA
MDMA is not legal for general clinical use in California. It is available only through research studies. Integration therapy is allowed for people who received MDMA legally overseas.
Psilocybin
Psilocybin is not legal for therapy in California. It is legally regulated only in Oregon and in certain countries overseas. I can support preparation and integration, but not access.
People look for this option when they feel stuck with:
depression, PTSD, anxiety, emotional numbness, trauma, grief, burnout, or relationship stress.
Psychedelics can create new insights and emotional release that talk therapy alone sometimes cannot reach.
Preparation is the emotional work before the psychedelic experience. It includes: understanding your mental health history, creating intentions, learning grounding skills, reviewing emotional safety, and planning support for after the session.
Preparation helps you feel safe, ready, and centered.
Integration is the therapy that happens after the experience. It includes: talking through emotions or memories that came up, understanding insights, supporting the nervous system, tracking mood and PTSD symptoms, and turning the experience into real life change.
Integration is where long term healing actually happens.
EMDR can support the healing process in several ways.
Before the experience EMDR can calm the nervous system, reduce fear, and prepare the mind to feel safer during the psychedelic session.
After the experience Some people uncover memories, emotions, or trauma that feel unfinished. EMDR helps the brain continue processing. It can: reduce emotional intensity, create clarity, help complete trauma processing, support new beliefs, and strengthen long term healing.
EMDR and psychedelics both work with memory, emotion, and the nervous system, which makes them a strong combination when used correctly.
Clients often seek support for:
treatment resistant depression,
PTSD and complex trauma,
anxiety and panic,
grief,
emotional disconnection,
negative beliefs,
and life transitions.
When done with proper preparation, medical supervision for the medicine, and integration therapy afterward, the process can be safe and effective.
I focus on emotional safety, grounding, and helping you move through the experience without overwhelm.
Yes. Many clients come for integration after challenging or unclear experiences.
Together we explore what happened, support the nervous system, and help you feel stable and grounded again.
Yes. California therapists are allowed to offer harm reduction and mental health support for clients who choose to use psychedelics independently. I do not encourage or suggest use, and I do not help with access. I support the emotional process only.
Yes. Many clients receive MDMA or psilocybin therapy in countries where it is legal.
I provide preparation before they travel and integration when they return.
Sessions are calm, supportive, and focused on your emotional experience. We use a mix of: talk therapy, somatic grounding, mindfulness, EMDR when appropriate, and nervous system regulation tools.
The goal is clarity, stability, and emotional strength.
People often feel open, sensitive, emotional, or reflective.
Integration therapy helps you:
stay grounded,
understand what came up,
create meaning,
and build healthy patterns.
Yes. Sessions can be online or in person, depending on your needs (and location).