EMDR Therapy

EMDR Therapists in Los Angeles

self-awareness can only go
so far.

Sometimes, we can do a lot of work on better understanding ourselves, through traditional therapy or other avenues, but it can ultimately feel like

What is EMDR exactly?

what is emdr in california

A COMMON THREAD

It can help bridge the gap between what you know in your head and how you feel in heart and body.

an example experience of clients who would benefit from EMDR

You’ve realized the way you think, feel, and act isn’t truly serving you. 

Even more, It’s possible that you’ve become (hyper)aware of why and how these patterns happen–the origins and triggers. 

Maybe you’ve even acknowledged beliefs about yourself, others, and the world would be healthier–or identified what behaviors would be more helpful.

Despite all this knowing, there might still be a powerful part of you that resists fully embracing these truths emotionally.

emdr training california

   Let’s Talk

Signs You're Ready for the Kind of Healing EMDR Offers

If you’re noticing any of the following, it might be a sign that EMDR therapy is the kind of support you’ve been looking for:

Emotional & Psychological Symptoms

You’re Emotionally Triggered by the Past

  • You feel overwhelmed by memories, even ones from years ago.
  • Certain sounds, smells, or places trigger anxiety or sadness.
  • You replay the same painful event over and over in your mind.

You Experience Anxiety or Panic Attacks

  • You feel constantly “on edge” or hyper-alert.
  • Panic arises unexpectedly and affects your day-to-day function.
  • You avoid situations out of fear that something might go wrong.

You Feel Numb or Emotionally Disconnected

  • It’s hard to cry, feel joy, or connect with others.
  • You’re “going through the motions” but not really living.
  • You often feel empty or detached from yourself.

Physical and Behavioral Signs

You Avoid Places, People, or Conversations

  • You stay away from people or situations that remind you of the past.
  • You shut down or freeze when certain topics come up.

Sleep is Difficult

  • You have nightmares or disturbing dreams.
  • You can’t fall asleep or wake up feeling anxious or drained.

You Struggle with Self-Esteem or Negative Self-Talk

  • You constantly think: “I’m not good enough” or “I deserved what happened.”
  • You find it hard to trust others or feel safe in relationships.

Have You Experienced Trauma or Loss?

EMDR online therapy may help if you’ve gone through:

  • Adverse childhood experiences
  • Childhood abuse or neglect
  • Physical or sexual assault
  • Car accidents or sudden injuries
  • A toxic or abusive relationship
  • The death of a loved one
  • Medical trauma or invasive procedures

You’ve Tried Other Therapies Without Relief

If traditional talk therapy hasn’t resolved your symptoms, EMDR therapists​ offer a more structured and neurologically focused approach. It doesn’t require you to talk in detail about your trauma — instead, it helps your brain naturally “unfreeze” the past and move forward.

Our online therapist in Los Angeles also supports clients working through difficult dynamics with parents, identity questions, motivation challenges, and other nuanced concerns that don’t always fit neatly into a label. So, whatever concern you are dealing with, you are always welcome here!!

What Happens During Our Online EMDR Therapy Session?

As an EMDR therapist in Los Angeles, formally trained by the EMDRIA-accredited Institute for Creative Mindfulness, Lauren Levy specializes in helping clients safely reconnect with their resilience.

Here’s what you can expect when we work together online:

We’ll Meet Online, From Wherever You Are in California
All sessions take place through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. As long as you’re located somewhere in California at the time of our session, we’re good to go. Many clients love the flexibility of doing therapy from their own space—just find a quiet, private spot where you feel comfortable.
In the first few sessions of EMDR online therapy, we’ll talk about what’s bringing you in—whether it’s anxiety, grief, trauma, ADHD, identity, relationships, or something else—and begin building a foundation for our work together. We’ll explore past experiences, your support system, and what goals you have for therapy. It gives me a full picture of who you are and how we can tailor your treatment.
We choose a memory, situation, emotion, or belief that still feels stuck or distressing. This becomes our focus for the session. You’re always in control—we move at your pace, and you can pause or shift directions any time.
This is where EMDR gets its unique power. Using simple tools like eye movements, sounds, or tapping, we help both sides of your brain activate and process the memory. You’ll be gently focusing on it while I guide you. You’re not reliving it—you’re allowing your brain to reprocess it in a safe and structured way.
Different emotions, thoughts, or sensations may arise as the process unfolds. You just notice and share what you’re experiencing. No need to force anything. The brain does a lot of the work naturally.
As the intensity fades, you may begin to feel a shift—a sense of relief, calm, or a new perspective. Together, we’ll strengthen this shift and help install a more empowering belief, like “I’m okay now” or “I did my best.”
Each session starts with a brief check-in and ends with grounding tools to help you re-enter your day feeling steady. If we’re in an active EMDR phase, we’ll review how things felt last time and make sure you’re in a good place to continue. Most sessions are 50 minutes, with longer options—90 or 120 minutes—if needed. Our work is always collaborative, and my goal is to support you until you feel ready to “graduate” when the time feels right.

FAQs

What issues can Online EMDR Therapy help with?

Our EMDR online therapy can help you work through a wide range of issues, including grief, depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship challenges.

To get the most out of your online EMDR therapy session, we recommend finding a safe, quiet, and private space where you won’t be interrupted. This allows you to focus fully on the process. Having a stable internet connection and a device with video capabilities is also important.
EMDR can absolutely be done entirely online. We conduct all of our sessions through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform, and many of our clients appreciate the flexibility and comfort of participating from their own space.
The length of the therapy process is different for everyone and depends on a variety of factors such as your personal goals, current stressors, readiness for change, and your unique personality. Some clients begin to see changes in a few weeks, while others may choose to continue therapy over several months or even longer.
We understand that beginning trauma therapy online can feel uncertain. That’s why we prioritize creating a safe, supportive space for deep emotional work. Our therapists are always available to address your concerns and answer any questions you may have before starting.
Yes, we offer online EMDR therapy to clients located anywhere in the state of California. While we’re based in Redondo Beach, all of our sessions are currently held virtually, which allows us to support clients across the state.

Getting started is easy. We offer a free 15-minute phone consultation so you can see if we’re the right fit for your needs. You can reach out in whatever way is most convenient for you—by texting or calling us at 310-290-3795, emailing us at LaurenLevyMFT@gmail.com, or filling out the contact form on our website. If you’re scheduling a consultation, feel free to share the days and times that work best for you.

Yes, EMDR online therapy is highly effective due to the sense of safety and comfort many clients feel when working from their own environment. Even studies have shown that virtual therapy is just as impactful as in-person therapy.