A gentle, body-based approach to processing trauma and reconnecting with yourself.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a somatic, evidence-based therapy designed to help people process trauma without having to retell every painful detail. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR works by engaging both the mind and body to reprocess stuck memories so they no longer hold the same emotional charge.
But EMDR is more than just a technique—it’s a way to help your body and nervous system complete responses that were cut short by overwhelming events. It’s a therapy that meets you where you are, respects your pace, and honors what your system already knows.
When something distressing happens, the brain doesn’t always store the memory properly—especially if you felt powerless, frozen, or unsafe. These experiences can stay “stuck” in the nervous system, showing up later as anxiety, nightmares, shame, or a feeling of being triggered out of nowhere.
EMDR helps resolve these symptoms by activating the brain’s natural processing system. Using bilateral stimulation (like side-to-side eye movements or tapping), EMDR helps your brain and body revisit the memory in a safe, resourced way—so the trauma can move through, instead of staying lodged inside.
You don’t need to remember every detail. You don’t have to retell your story over and over. EMDR helps the nervous system finish what it started—gently and sustainably.
Laura provides EMDR therapy for adults dealing with
If you’ve tried traditional therapy and still feel like something isn’t shifting—EMDR may offer the depth and structure your system needs.
You’ll never be thrown into trauma processing without preparation. In Laura’s practice, EMDR unfolds at the pace of safety. The first few sessions focus on resourcing—helping you feel more grounded, supported, and able to tolerate the work ahead.
Once you and Laura agree that your system is ready, EMDR begins with:
You might feel a wave of emotion, or nothing at all. You might find a memory softens, or a new insight arises. You might begin to sleep better, or feel less triggered by a specific situation.
These shifts aren’t always dramatic. But over time, they become undeniable.
As one client described: “It wasn’t that the memories disappeared—it’s that they stopped running my life.”
Healing doesn’t have to mean reopening old wounds without support. With EMDR, healing can look like:
If you’re ready to explore trauma therapy through EMDR, reach out for a free 15-minute consultation. This is a space where your system sets the pace. Where “slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.”
Laura’s clients often come to her not just because of her clinical training—but because of her ability to hold complexity with care. With a PhD in cultural anthropology and years of somatic and trauma-focused work, Laura brings a deep understanding of how trauma lives in the body, the culture, and the nervous system.
Her work is especially attuned to:
Her office is located in the Upper East Side, on the border between Carnegie Hill and Yorkville, with in-person sessions available for clients across the New York metropolitan area. Virtual EMDR is also available for eligible clients in New York State.
Yes. EMDR often supports clients who feel like they’ve hit a wall in traditional talk therapy. Many find that EMDR helps bring insight from the mind into the body, where real change begins.
No. EMDR works on memory networks, not storytelling. You’ll never be asked to share more than feels safe or necessary.
It varies. Laura integrates EMDR into ongoing therapy, which means the process unfolds within a trusted, ongoing relationship. There is no rush or rigid timeline.
Yes—with the right preparation. Laura works gently and collaboratively, ensuring your nervous system is resourced and ready before EMDR begins.
Copyright © 2025, Laura Pearl, LCSW. All Rights Reserved.
