The Marriage & Family Institute
EMDR Therapy
Whether you’re processing past trauma or managing overwhelming emotions, EMDR Therapy in Columbus helps you heal from distressing memories and reclaim your life. Online sessions available throughout Ohio.
Heal from emotional
wounds
Process trauma, anxiety,
& PTSD
Build emotional resilience
& self-worth
Trauma can feel overwhelming—especially in today’s fast-paced world
When you’re struggling with anxiety, the effects of trauma, or simply trying to understand yourself better, it can feel like you’re caught in a never-ending cycle. The weight of past experiences, grief and loss, or daily stress can make every day feel harder than the last. It’s like a constant battle in your mind, where fear, worry, and confusion cloud your ability to feel calm and confident.
EMDR Therapy in Columbus & Across Ohio
What Is EMDR Therapy And How Can It Help?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy designed to help people heal from the emotional impact of distressing experiences and trauma. By using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or sounds, EMDR engages both sides of the brain to process stuck memories and the negative emotions tied to them. This unique approach helps reduce the emotional charge of painful memories and replaces harmful beliefs with more positive, empowering ones.
What makes EMDR different from traditional talk therapy is that it doesn’t rely on revisiting every detail of your past or analyzing experiences for long periods. Instead, it taps into your brain’s natural healing processes to resolve the root causes of distress. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, self-doubt, or feelings of being stuck, EMDR can help you release the weight of the past, gain clarity, and move toward a more peaceful and balanced life.
EMDR Therapy Can Help With:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Childhood abuse and neglect
- Complex trauma or multiple traumatic events
- Grief and loss
- Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety and panic attacks
- Phobias and irrational fears
- Medical trauma or chronic illness
- Depression stemming from unresolved past experiences
- Insomnia and night terrors
- Abandonment or attachment-related issues
EMDR Therapy can help you heal from past trauma, reduce anxiety, and break free from the patterns that are holding you back, allowing you to regain control of your life and experience lasting emotional freedom.
The Marriage & Family Institute
How EMDR Therapy Can Help
If you’re feeling weighed down by anxiety, past trauma, or just struggling to understand why certain things continue to affect you, EMDR Therapy can help you find the healing you need.
Heal From Trauma & Past Experiences
The things that have happened to you don’t have to control your life. EMDR Therapy helps you gently process the memories that still feel painful and overwhelming. As we work through these memories together, you can find peace and start to move forward, no longer haunted by the past but empowered by your ability to heal.
Reduce Anxiety & Regain Emotional Balance
Anxiety can make everything feel uncertain and out of control. EMDR Therapy can help you identify where those feelings are coming from so you can address them at the root. With time and patience, you’ll be able to find the relief you’ve been searching for—feeling more grounded, calm, and in control of your emotions.
Break Free from Negative Patterns
If you feel stuck in old patterns of self-doubt, fear, or negative thinking, EMDR Therapy can help you let go of what’s no longer serving you. It’s not about ignoring your struggles but about giving you the tools to release those limiting beliefs and step into a healthier, more confident version of yourself.
Process Grief & Loss
Grief can be a heavy burden to carry. EMDR Therapy offers a safe space for you to process the emotions tied to your loss, helping you understand your feelings and move through the pain at your own pace. Over time, you’ll feel more at peace with your journey through grief and find space for healing.
Improve Emotional Regulation
When emotions run high—whether it’s frustration, sadness, or anger—it can be hard to know how to respond. EMDR Therapy can help you process what’s triggering these intense emotions so you can find healthier ways to manage them. This means less emotional overwhelm and more space for calm and clarity when you need it most.
Gain Greater Self-Awareness & Clarity
Sometimes, understanding why you feel the way you do can be the first step toward healing. Through EMDR Therapy, you’ll gain deeper insight into your emotional responses and behaviors so you can move forward with a better understanding of yourself. This clarity allows you to make decisions with more confidence and peace.
Enhance Resilience & Emotional Strength
You don’t have to keep carrying the emotional weight of past experiences. EMDR Therapy helps you process and release the pain, building emotional resilience along the way. As you heal, you’ll find yourself better equipped to handle life’s challenges, with a renewed sense of strength and inner peace.
Get started today!
Book an appointment or free consultation online or contact us directly.
Why Us
The Marriage & Family Institute
We understand that while we can't change the difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and overcome the challenges you face today.
With decades of combined experience, we take an integrative, compassionate, and genuine approach to therapy, rooted in the philosophy that all parts of the human person need to be addressed to bring long-lasting and substantial change. We believe in a holistic therapy approach that considers all aspects of your experience — psychological, spiritual, and physical to help you heal from trauma, improve relationships, and live a fulfilling life.
At The Marriage & Family Institute, our mission is to strengthen individuals and families by promoting healthy relationships, building resilience, and fostering secure attachments. We provide evidence-based, compassionate, and comprehensive services to help couples, individuals, and families navigate life’s challenges and achieve a fulfilling life together.
Together, we support you in creating a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling.
Compassionate
We create a safe and respectful environment that allows space for deep healing and transformation.
Integrative
We address intergenerational trauma in addition to your psychological, spiritual, & physical well-being to foster lasting change.
Authentic
We believe in being genuine and transparent with ourselves, colleagues, and clients, to support personal & relational growth.
Our approach
How EMDR Therapy Works
1. Understanding Your Story
In our first step, we’ll get to know you—your experiences, the challenges you’re facing, and what you hope to gain from therapy. Together, we’ll create a plan that aligns with your goals for healing.
2. Building Trust & Learning Tools
We’ll establish a safe, supportive space where you feel comfortable. I’ll explain how EMDR works and teach you calming techniques to help you stay grounded throughout the process.
3. Identifying What to Work On
We’ll choose a memory or experience to focus on, explore the emotions and beliefs tied to it, and decide on a positive belief you’d like to replace it with.
4. Processing the Memory
Using techniques like eye movements or gentle tapping, we’ll help your brain process the memory, reducing its emotional intensity so you can begin to feel relief.
5. Strengthening Positive Beliefs
Once the memory is processed, we’ll focus on reinforcing a positive belief to replace the old, unhelpful one, helping you view yourself and your life in a more empowering way.
6. Checking In with Your Body
We’ll notice any physical tension or sensations tied to the memory and process them so your mind and body can fully release any lingering stress.
7. Wrapping Up with Calm
At the end of each session, we’ll make sure you feel grounded, calm, and clear, leaving you in a better emotional place than when we started.
8. Tracking Your Progress
In future sessions, we’ll check in on how you’re feeling, celebrate the progress you’ve made, and address any new challenges as we continue your healing journey.
We work through the stages of EMDR Therapy at your pace, and with every step, our goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can explore, process, and heal.
EMDR Therapy in Columbus & Across Ohio
Questions About EMDR Therapy
Is EMDR only for trauma survivors?
While EMDR is widely known for its effectiveness in treating trauma, it’s also a powerful tool for addressing a range of issues. From anxiety and phobias to stress-related medical conditions and life transitions, any situation where past experiences continue to negatively impact emotions, thoughts, or behaviors can benefit from EMDR.
What does an EMDR Therapy session feel like?
In an EMDR session, you’ll focus on a specific memory or experience while engaging in bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements). As you process the memory, you may experience emotions or physical sensations, but you’ll remain in control throughout the session. Most clients feel lighter or less distressed by the memory after processing. Each session typically ends with grounding techniques, ensuring you leave feeling calm and centered.
How long does EMDR Therapy take?
The length of EMDR Therapy varies depending on your unique needs and the complexity of the issues being addressed. Some clients see significant improvements after just a few sessions, while others dealing with complex trauma may need 18-20 sessions. The therapy process is broken into phases, including preparation, active processing, and reevaluation, which ensures a tailored approach to healing.
Is EMDR safe for everyone?
EMDR is generally safe and well-tolerated, but it may not be suitable for everyone. If you have severe dissociation, unmanaged medical or mental health conditions, or an unstable environment, additional preparation may be necessary before beginning EMDR. Your therapist will work with you to assess whether EMDR is the right approach.
Are there any side effects to EMDR Therapy?
EMDR Therapy is generally considered safe and effective, but like any therapy, it can bring up emotions and memories that feel intense or uncomfortable during the healing process. Some clients might feel tired or emotionally sensitive after a session, as the brain continues to process the experiences. These feelings are temporary and typically lessen as therapy progresses. Your therapist will work with you to ensure you feel supported and grounded at every step, and they’ll teach you coping strategies to manage any discomfort that arises. If you have concerns, don’t hesitate to share them—your comfort and well-being are always the priority.
EMDR Therapy in Columbus & Across Ohio
Positive Outcomes of EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy is the first step toward healing. It takes time, but with commitment and consistency you may notice that you can:
- Feel more present and connected to yourself and the world around you
- Build self-confidence and understand yourself on a deeper level
- Stay calmer and more in control of your emotions, even in tough situations
- Regain a sense of safety and take back control over your life
- Heal and strengthen your relationships with the people who matter most
- Break free from painful flashbacks and restless nights filled with nightmares
- Experience more peace, joy, and fulfillment in your everyday life
The Marriage & Family Institute
How To Get Started
*Free 15-minute consultations
*For fastest response, please use the contact form.
Locations
- German Village: 855 S. Wall St. Columbus, OH 43206
- Worthington: 6797 North High St. Suite 203 Worthington, OH 43085
- Grove City: 2684 Columbus St, Grove City, OH 43123 (Telehealth)
- Online therapy sessions are available across Ohio.
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EMDR Therapy in Columbus & Across Ohio
The Marriage & Family Institute
Helping you experience the freedom that healing can bring.