Intrusive memories
Memories, images, or reminders still bring up strong emotional or physical reactions.
EMDR Therapy in Fort Myers
EMDR therapy for trauma and anxiety
EMDR can reduce the intensity of painful memories and triggers so you can feel calmer, more in control, and able to move forward with resilience.
EMDR Certified Therapist • Fort Myers office • Telehealth available in Florida
How EMDR can help
When the past still affects how you feel today
You may understand what happened and why it affects you, yet still feel triggered by certain memories, situations, or reminders. EMDR can help you process experiences that insight and talk therapy alone may not fully resolve, reducing their emotional intensity so you can respond differently in the present.
When EMDR may help
EMDR may help when the past continues to affect how you feel, think, or respond today
Anxiety tied to past events
You experience anxiety, panic, avoidance, or hypervigilance that may be connected to past experiences.
Persistent negative beliefs
Beliefs such as “I am not safe,” “it was my fault,” or “I am powerless” continue to feel true even when you know otherwise.
Triggers and reactivity
Certain situations or reminders trigger emotional or physical reactions that feel difficult to control.
Trauma-related patterns
Past experiences continue to affect your relationships, trust, sleep, mood, or ability to feel safe and settled.
Stuck despite understanding
You know what happened is in the past, but emotionally or physically, it can still feel present.
How EMDR works
EMDR helps change how distressing experiences affect you
EMDR is not hypnosis and does not erase your memories. You remain aware and in control throughout the process, and therapy moves at a pace that feels manageable for you.
EMDR helps you reprocess distressing experiences so you can remember what happened without experiencing the same intensity of fear, shame, guilt, or physical reactions.
EMDR is widely recognized as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms.
The EMDR process
What you can expect during EMDR therapy
1
Preparation
Before processing begins, you’ll learn ways to manage distress, strengthen emotional regulation, and feel prepared for the work ahead.
2
Processing
You briefly focus on distressing material while bilateral stimulation is used, allowing the brain to process the experience in a more adaptive way.
3
Belief shift
As you process past experiences, negative beliefs can begin to shift toward perspectives that feel more accurate and helpful.
4
Integration
Over time, triggers may become less intense, physical reactions can settle, and past experiences can have less influence on how you feel and respond today.
What EMDR addresses
EMDR can help when past experiences continue to affect your life today
Trauma & PTSD
Painful or overwhelming experiences can continue to affect how you feel, think, and respond long after they are over. EMDR can help reduce their emotional intensity and the power they hold over your life.
Trauma therapy →Anxiety linked to past events
Anxiety, panic, fears, phobias, or avoidance can sometimes be connected to earlier experiences. EMDR can help you process those experiences so they have less influence on how you respond today.
Anxiety counseling →Christian integration by request
If your Christian faith is important to you, biblical principles and Scripture can be thoughtfully integrated into EMDR therapy in a way that respects your goals and preferences.
Christian counseling →EMDR education
Helpful introductions to EMDR therapy
Is EMDR effective?
Understanding the EMDR process
EMDR at Epp Counseling
Experienced EMDR therapy focused on your needs
I’m an EMDR Certified Therapist™ with over 30 years of counseling experience helping adults work through trauma, anxiety, and painful experiences that continue to affect their lives.
I provide EMDR therapy in my Fort Myers office for adults throughout Southwest Florida, with online counseling available anywhere in Florida when appropriate.
EMDR therapy feedback
What clients and colleagues have said
I saw Rachele because she specializes in EMDR and I can’t sing her praises enough. I saw SO much change and progress in areas I didn’t think were even possible. I felt seen and heard.Former Client
Rachele Epp has proven herself time and again to be a competent and ethical counselor. She demonstrates proficiency in practicing EMDR and is an effective clinician for her clients.Bethaney Hoffacker, LMHC-QS
Frequently asked questions
Questions about EMDR therapy
Is EMDR effective?
Yes. EMDR is a well-researched, evidence-based therapy for trauma, PTSD, and related distress. For many people, it can reduce the emotional intensity of painful memories and triggers so past experiences have less impact on daily life.
Will I have to relive everything in detail?
No. You do not have to describe every detail of a painful or traumatic experience for EMDR to be effective. You remain in control of what you share, and we will move at a pace that feels manageable for you.
How long does EMDR take?
It varies. Some concerns can be addressed relatively quickly, while more complex or long-standing experiences may take longer. We will consider your history, goals, and progress to determine what makes sense for you.
Is EMDR safe?
YYes. EMDR includes preparation before you begin processing distressing experiences. We will make sure you have ways to manage difficult emotions and will move at a pace that feels manageable for you throughout the process.
Can EMDR be combined with other therapies?
Yes. EMDR can be combined with other approaches based on your needs and goals. For example, I may incorporate CBT to help you address current thought or behavior patterns and develop practical skills for everyday life.
Can EMDR be used in Christian counseling?
Yes. If you want faith to be part of counseling, EMDR can be integrated with a biblical framework while following established EMDR protocols and evidence-based practice.
Start EMDR therapy
Your past does not have to define how you feel today
If painful memories, anxiety, or trauma-related reactions are still affecting your life, EMDR may help reduce their emotional intensity so you can feel calmer, more in control, and able to move forward.