EMDR Therapy: Heal Trauma Without Reliving It
A proven approach that helps your brain process painful memories—so they stop controlling your life.
Book Your Free 15-Min Consultation Meet CarissaYou've probably tried to move on. Maybe you've told yourself it's in the past and you should be over it by now. But the memories keep showing up—triggered by a sound, a smell, or sometimes nothing at all.
Traditional talk therapy can help, but sometimes talking about trauma just feels like you're reliving it all over again. And that's exhausting.
The memory doesn't disappear—but it stops hijacking your present. That constant anxiety? The flashbacks? That voice telling you it was your fault? EMDR can help quiet all of it.
At South Denver Therapy, Carissa Keeter, LCSW is trained in EMDR and works with adults and teens who are ready to heal from trauma, anxiety, and painful experiences.
What Exactly is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. That's a mouthful, but here's what it actually means:
When something traumatic happens, your brain sometimes gets "stuck" trying to process it. The memory stays raw and triggering, like a wound that never fully heals.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—usually eye movements, but sometimes taps or sounds—to activate both sides of your brain while you think about the memory. This helps your brain finally process and file away the experience properly.
It's similar to what happens naturally during REM sleep when your brain processes daily experiences. EMDR just helps your brain do what it already wants to do—but couldn't because the trauma was too overwhelming.
How Your Brain Heals
EMDR activates your brain's natural healing process, helping traumatic memories become regular memories that no longer trigger intense emotional responses.
What Can EMDR Therapy Help With?
EMDR was originally developed for PTSD, but research shows it's effective for many conditions.
PTSD & Trauma
From single-incident traumas to complex PTSD from ongoing abuse, neglect, or difficult experiences. EMDR helps process what happend so you can move forward.
Anxiety & Panic
Chronic anxiety often has roots in past experiences. EMDR can help reduce anxiety by addressing the memories fueling it.
Depression
When depression is connected to past events or negative beliefs about yourself, EMDR can help shift those underlying patterns.
Grief & Loss
Losing someone you love can leave you stuck in pain. EMDR helps process grief so you can honor their memory without drowning in it.
Childhood Wounds
Difficult experiences from growing up—whether obvious trauma or subtle emotional neglect—can shape how you see yourself and the world. EMDR helps reprocess these early experiences.
First Responder Stress
Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers see things most people never will. EMDR helps process the accumulation of difficult calls.
If you're a veteran or first responder, check out our military & veteran counseling and first responder counseling pages.
The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR follows a structured protocol developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro. Here's what the process looks like.
History & Planning
We learn your story and identify which memories to target
Preparation
You learn coping skills and what to expect in sessions
Assessment
We identify the specific memory, beliefs, and feelings to work on
Desensitization
Using bilateral stimulation to process the memory
Installation
Strengthening positive beliefs to replace negative ones
Body Scan
Checking for any remaining physical tension or distress
Closure
Returning to calm and discussing self-care between sessions
Reevaluation
Checking progress and planning next steps
Meet Your EMDR Therapist
At South Denver Therapy, EMDR is provided by Carissa Keeter, LCSW. She's trained in EMDR and has experience helping adults and teens work through trauma, anxiety, and difficult life experiences.
Carissa creates a safe, non-judgmental space where you can process painful memories at your own pace. She's worked with first responders, young adults, trauma survivors, and people from all walks of life.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – Colorado licensed and trained in trauma-focused therapies
- EMDR Trained – Completed specialized training in EMDR protocol and application
- First Responder Experience – Understands the unique challenges faced by police, fire, and EMS
- Teen & Young Adult Specialty – Works with ages 13+ on trauma and anxiety
Carissa Keeter, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
EMDR & Trauma Specialist
The Research Behind EMDR
EMDR isn't just another therapy trend—it's backed by decades of scientific research.
EMDR is recognized as an effective trauma treatment by:
What EMDR Clients Say
Real feedback from real people who've experienced EMDR therapy.
"EMDR therapy helped me process trauma I didn't even realize was affecting me so deeply. After just a few sessions, I noticed a huge difference in how I responded to triggers."
"I was skeptical about EMDR at first, but it ended up being the breakthrough I needed. The memories that used to cause so much pain no longer have the same grip on me."
"EMDR was life-changing. After years of struggling with trauma, I finally found something that worked. The sessions helped me confront my pain in a safe way."
EMDR Therapy Rates
Transparent pricing. We accept HSA/FSA cards and can provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement.
Questions About EMDR Therapy
EMDR Therapy Throughout Colorado
In-person sessions in Castle Rock. Virtual sessions available anywhere in Colorado.
Ready to Start Healing From Trauma?
You've carried this pain long enough. Book a free 15-minute consultation to learn how EMDR therapy can help.
Book Your Free ConsultationOr call us directly: (720) 663-8046