At Alfrey & Pruitt Counseling, we specialize in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, an evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals heal from trauma, PTSD, anxiety, grief, and other distressing life experiences.
Our trauma-informed therapists provide a safe, structured environment where clients can process painful experiences, reduce emotional distress, and move toward lasting healing.
- What Is EMDR Therapy?
- How EMDR Therapy Works
- EMDR Therapy for Trauma and PTSD
- EMDR for Anxiety and Panic Attacks
- EMDR for Depression and Negative Self-Beliefs
- EMDR Therapy for Grief and Loss
- EMDR for Phobias, Fears, and Distressing Experiences
- Online EMDR Therapy Throughout Nebraska
- Why Choose Alfrey & Pruitt Counseling for EMDR Therapy?
- Schedule an EMDR Therapy Consultation
- Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a research-supported psychotherapy approach that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories and experiences.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues, to help the brain process memories that may be “stuck” and continue to cause emotional distress.
As memories are reprocessed, they often become less overwhelming, allowing clients to feel relief, clarity, and increased resilience.
How EMDR Therapy Works
EMDR therapy follows a structured eight-phase treatment process designed to help clients safely address traumatic memories and negative beliefs.
During treatment, your therapist will help you:
- Identify distressing memories and experiences
- Develop coping and grounding skills
- Process difficult emotions in a safe environment
- Reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories
- Replace negative beliefs with healthier, more adaptive perspectives
- Build confidence and emotional resilience
EMDR is not about reliving trauma repeatedly. Instead, it helps your brain process experiences in a way that reduces their ongoing impact on your daily life.
EMDR Therapy for Trauma and PTSD
EMDR is widely recognized as one of the most effective treatments for trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
EMDR may help individuals who have experienced:
✔ Childhood trauma
✔ Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
✔ Domestic violence
✔ Accidents and injuries
✔ Medical trauma
✔ First responder or military trauma
✔ Sudden loss or traumatic grief
✔ Distressing life events
Many clients report reduced emotional reactivity, fewer trauma symptoms, and improved quality of life following EMDR treatment.
EMDR for Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Anxiety often develops from past experiences, fears, or negative beliefs about oneself or the world.
EMDR can help individuals:
- Reduce excessive worry
- Decrease panic symptoms
- Address underlying causes of anxiety
- Build confidence and emotional regulation skills
- Feel safer and more in control
By targeting the experiences contributing to anxiety, EMDR can provide relief beyond symptom management alone.
EMDR for Depression and Negative Self-Beliefs
Many people struggling with depression carry deeply rooted beliefs such as:
- “I’m not good enough.”
- “I’m broken.”
- “I’m a failure.”
- “I’m not safe.”
EMDR helps clients identify and reprocess experiences that contributed to these beliefs, allowing healthier and more adaptive perspectives to emerge.
EMDR Therapy for Grief and Loss
Grief can be overwhelming, particularly when loss is sudden, traumatic, or complicated by unresolved experiences.
EMDR can help individuals process painful memories, reduce emotional distress, and move forward while continuing to honor meaningful connections with loved ones.
EMDR for Phobias, Fears, and Distressing Experiences
EMDR has also been shown to help individuals overcome:
- Specific phobias
- Social anxiety
- Performance anxiety
- Medical fears
- Driving anxiety
- Fear related to past experiences
Treatment focuses on reducing emotional triggers and helping clients respond to situations with greater confidence and flexibility.
Online EMDR Therapy Throughout Nebraska
Many people are surprised to learn that EMDR can be highly effective through telehealth.
We offer secure virtual EMDR therapy for clients throughout Nebraska using specialized protocols designed for online treatment.
Benefits of telehealth EMDR include:
- Access to treatment from home
- Increased scheduling flexibility
- Reduced travel time
- Greater accessibility for rural communities
- Continued trauma treatment when in-person sessions are not possible
Why Choose Alfrey & Pruitt Counseling for EMDR Therapy?
Our therapists use trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches and understand the complex impact trauma can have on emotional, physical, and relational well-being.
We work collaboratively with clients to create treatment plans that prioritize safety, empowerment, and lasting healing.
Schedule an EMDR Therapy Consultation
If trauma, anxiety, PTSD, grief, or distressing memories are affecting your life, EMDR therapy may help you move forward.
📞 Call us at (308) 675-2858
📩 Request an appointment online
💻 In-person and telehealth EMDR therapy available
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy
What does EMDR stand for?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is an evidence-based therapy that helps individuals process traumatic memories and reduce emotional distress.
Is EMDR effective for PTSD?
Yes. EMDR is considered one of the leading evidence-based treatments for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. It is recommended by numerous professional organizations and treatment guidelines.
Does EMDR work for anxiety?
Yes. EMDR can help reduce anxiety, panic attacks, excessive worry, and stress by addressing underlying experiences and beliefs that contribute to anxiety symptoms.
Do I have to talk about every detail of my trauma?
No. EMDR does not require clients to share every detail of traumatic experiences. Your therapist will help you process memories safely while maintaining appropriate emotional regulation and support.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
The number of sessions varies depending on the complexity of your concerns, history of trauma, treatment goals, and individual response to therapy. Some clients experience significant improvement in a relatively short period of time, while others benefit from longer-term treatment.
Is EMDR emotionally intense?
EMDR can bring up difficult emotions during treatment, but therapists help clients develop coping and grounding skills before beginning trauma processing. Treatment proceeds at a pace that prioritizes safety and stability.
Can children and teens receive EMDR therapy?
Yes. EMDR can be adapted for children and adolescents when clinically appropriate. Therapists often integrate developmentally appropriate interventions to support younger clients.
Does online EMDR therapy work?
Research and clinical experience suggest that telehealth EMDR can be highly effective when conducted by a trained therapist using appropriate protocols and technology.
Is EMDR covered by insurance?
Many insurance plans cover EMDR therapy when it is medically necessary and provided by an in-network therapist. Our team can help verify your benefits before your first appointment.
How do I know if EMDR is right for me?
EMDR may be beneficial if you are struggling with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, grief, negative self-beliefs, or distressing memories that continue to affect your daily life. A therapist can help determine whether EMDR is a good fit during an initial consultation.