EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy Specialist in St Thomas, USVI

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals heal from traumatic experiences and distressing memories.

Unlike traditional talk therapies, EMDR integrates bilateral stimulation—typically through guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones—while clients recall traumatic events or troubling thoughts. This unique approach helps the brain reprocess “stuck” memories, allowing for healthier integration and a reduction in emotional distress.

By helping clients process trauma, EMDR can alleviate symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, and avoidance, supporting emotional balance and overall well-being. The therapy is delivered in structured phases, beginning with a thorough assessment and preparation, followed by the reprocessing of traumatic memories, and concluding with the development of new coping skills and strategies for future challenges.

Our clinicians are specially trained in EMDR, ensuring that each session is tailored to the unique needs of every individual. Recognized by leading organizations like the World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association, EMDR is a proven, evidence-based treatment for PTSD and other trauma-related conditions.

EMDR is a research-backed form of psychotherapy best known for its effectiveness in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but its benefits extend far beyond trauma care.

Our practice takes a holistic approach to mental health, understanding that emotional distress often impacts—and is impacted by—physical and spiritual well-being. EMDR fits seamlessly within this integrative model. We use EMDR to support individuals struggling with a wide range of conditions, including:

• Anxiety Disorders: EMDR can help alleviate symptoms of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and specific phobias by processing distressing memories and reducing their emotional charge.
• Depression: When depression is linked to unresolved trauma or chronic stressful experiences, EMDR can assist in breaking negative thought patterns and fostering emotional resilience.
• Trauma and Grief: Whether you’ve experienced childhood adversity, abuse, loss, or traumatic events such as accidents or natural disasters, EMDR helps you safely revisit and reprocess these experiences to restore emotional balance.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): For clients whose intrusive thoughts are tied to past distressing events, EMDR can be a valuable part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
• Addiction Recovery: Many addictive behaviors are rooted in unresolved trauma. EMDR, combined with holistic psychiatry and wellness strategies, can help address the underlying emotional pain that contributes to substance use or compulsive behaviors.
• Chronic Pain & Medical Distress: Emotional trauma can manifest physically. EMDR has shown promise in helping clients manage chronic pain and cope with the psychological impact of medical diagnoses.

At Holistic Wellness and Psychiatry, our Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy sessions are designed to support your journey toward healing in a compassionate and integrative environment. Each EMDR session typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, allowing us to fully address your individual needs and create a safe space for processing difficult experiences.

The number of EMDR sessions needed can vary significantly, as each person’s healing journey is unique. Some clients may begin to notice positive changes within a few sessions, while others may benefit from 6 to 12 sessions or more, depending on the nature and complexity of their concerns. Factors such as the severity of trauma, the presence of multiple traumatic events, and your personal response to therapy all influence the duration of treatment.

At Holistic Wellness and Psychiatry, we take a holistic approach to mental health, blending evidence-based therapies like EMDR with a deep understanding of your overall well-being. Your therapist will collaborate with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that honors your experiences and supports your path to lasting wellness.

EMDR journey begins with a compassionate discussion with your therapist about your current concerns, life experiences, and the specific memories you’d like to address. In keeping with our holistic philosophy, we take time to understand not just your symptoms, but also your emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Together, you’ll identify a target memory and the related thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. Before beginning the main EMDR process, your therapist will teach you calming and grounding techniques—such as mindful breathing or guided visualization—reflecting our commitment to supporting your overall wellness and empowerment.

Once you feel safe and supported, your therapist will guide you to focus on your chosen memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This may involve following their fingers with your eyes, listening to alternating sounds, or feeling gentle taps. As you process the memory, you may notice new thoughts, feelings, or body sensations arise. Your therapist will check in with you regularly, encouraging a nonjudgmental awareness of whatever comes up.

Sessions are structured yet flexible, allowing you to move at your own pace. Our therapists at Holistic Wellness and Psychiatry are trained to help you stay grounded and ensure that the process remains manageable, honoring your unique needs and experiences.

Over time, many clients notice a reduction in the emotional intensity of difficult memories and a shift toward healthier, more adaptive beliefs about themselves. Each session concludes with time to reflect, discuss your experience, and practice relaxation techniques—ensuring you leave feeling stable and supported.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful therapy for healing trauma, comprehensive recovery often benefits from an integrated medical perspective.

Dr. Laurie McCormick MD, DFAPA, Founder of Holistic Wellness and Psychiatry, is an Integrative/Holistic Psychiatrist who approaches mental health from both physical and psychological angles. Dr. McCormick is a certified Family Physician who has completed Functional Medicine training with the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM). This unique background allows her to look beyond symptoms to treat the root causes of conditions like anxiety and trauma, ensuring that your EMDR therapy is supported by a foundation of total wellness, including holistic medicine and psychiatric expertise.

At Holistic Wellness and Psychiatry, our goal is to help you achieve lasting healing and resilience by integrating the best of psychiatric care with holistic wellness practices. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are located at 9150 Estate Thomas, Suite 206 St. Thomas 00802. We serve patients from St Thomas USVI, Charlotte Amalie USVI, Smith Bay USVI, Northside USVI, East End USVI, John Oley USVI, and surrounding areas.