Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR Therapy in Los Angeles
Innovative Group Psychotherapy
When painful experiences remain “stuck,” they can continue to show up as anxiety, intrusive memories, emotional overwhelm, relationship reactivity, or a constant sense of being on guard. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based trauma therapy that helps the brain and nervous system process distressing memories so they no longer feel like they are happening in the present.
At Innovative Group Psychotherapy, Dr. Brette Genzel Derman is an EMDR Certified therapist and all clinicians use an EMDR lens through which they help clients move toward relief, resilience, and a steadier sense of self.
Quick Summary of EMDR Therapy
Innovative Group Psychotherapy provides EMDR therapy in Los Angeles for children, adolescents, and adults experiencing trauma, anxiety, distressing memories, grief, and attachment-related challenges. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a research-supported psychotherapy that uses bilateral stimulation—such as eye movements, tapping, or tones—to help the brain process distressing memories. As memories become integrated, emotional intensity decreases and clients often experience improved emotional regulation, reduced triggers, and greater confidence in daily life.
How EMDR Therapy Works
EMDR therapy supports the brain’s natural healing process through bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or tones) while a person briefly focuses on a distressing memory and related thoughts or emotions. Over time, this process helps the brain reorganize how the memory is stored so it becomes less emotionally intense and less connected to present-day reactions.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a research-supported psychotherapy used worldwide to help people recover from trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and distressing life experiences that continue to affect daily functioning. EMDR does not erase memories. Instead, it helps the brain reprocess how those memories are stored, reducing the emotional intensity, body sensations, and negative beliefs connected to them.
People often seek EMDR therapy when they notice:
• Anxiety or panic that feels disproportionate to the situation
• Emotional triggers connected to past experiences
• Persistent perfectionism, shame, or self-criticism
• Relationship patterns that repeat despite insight
• Lingering grief, loss, or distress after a major life event
IGP’s Approach to EMDR Therapy
At Innovative Group Psychotherapy, EMDR therapy is carefully paced and tailored to each client to support safe and effective trauma processing.
Stabilization and Emotional Safety
Treatment begins with building skills for grounding, nervous system regulation, and emotional stability before trauma work begins.
Identifying Trauma and Core Beliefs
Together we identify experiences connected to present symptoms, including traumatic events, relational trauma, bullying, criticism, and attachment wounds that shaped core beliefs about the self.
Reprocessing Distressing Memories
Using EMDR’s bilateral stimulation, the brain processes difficult memories so they become less emotionally triggering and easier to manage.
Integrating Change
As EMDR therapy progresses, many clients experience:
Reduced emotional reactivity
Greater self-compassion
Healthier relationships and boundaries
Improved emotional balance