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EMDR Therapy in St. Louis

Transforming Trauma with Deeper Healing

Are you feeling weighed down by the past?

 

Maybe it’s memories you can’t shake, or emotions that seem to control your life. Perhaps you’re carrying a heavy load of stress, anxiety, or sadness that just won’t seem to ease. If this sounds familiar, it’s possible you’re dealing with unresolved trauma. And whether it's from a single event or something that’s built up over time, trauma has a way of showing up in unexpected ways—through anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, or just a general feeling that something’s “off.”

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But here’s the thing: You don’t have to carry that burden forever.


There’s a therapy that can help you process that emotional baggage and feel more like yourself again. It’s called EMDR Therapy—short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing—and it’s an incredibly effective, research-backed approach for healing trauma.

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So, What Exactly is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR is a little different from traditional talk therapy. While talk therapy can help you understand your emotions and give you tools to manage them, EMDR works directly with the brain to reprocess past trauma in a way that reduces its emotional charge. Simply put, it helps you to stop being so triggered by painful memories, so you can finally start living freely without being haunted by the past.

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In EMDR, we use bilateral stimulation—usually by guiding your eye movements back and forth, but sometimes using taps or sounds—to help your brain process memories in a more balanced, healthy way. It’s like giving your brain the tools it needs to reorganize and heal itself, without you needing to relive every painful detail. Over time, that trauma that once felt so overwhelming starts to lose its grip.

Heal from the past, reclaim your peace, and move forward with confidence.

How does EMDR help?

​It’s amazing how trauma can stay with you, even when you think you've moved past it. You might not even realize that something that happened years ago is still affecting your decisions, your relationships, or your ability to feel safe. This is especially true for those who’ve experienced things like:

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  • Childhood trauma or abuse

  • Sexual trauma or abuse

  • Car accidents or medical trauma

  • The loss of a loved one

  • Natural disasters

  • Military combat experiences

  • Any experience that left you feeling helpless, frightened, or out of control

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EMDR helps process these painful memories so that they no longer control your emotional state. You start feeling more grounded, more in control of your reactions, and better able to experience life without the constant fear of being triggered. You deserve that kind of peace.

What to Expect in EMDR Therapy

First, it’s important to know that I’m here to walk with you through every step of the process. We’ll start by talking about what you’re hoping to work on—whether that’s specific memories, certain emotional patterns, or something you feel is holding you back in life.

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Then, we’ll work together to identify the most important memories or experiences to target. EMDR therapy doesn’t require you to dive deeply into every detail of a traumatic event, and it’s not about “reliving” those memories. Instead, the goal is to process them so that they lose their emotional intensity.

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As we work, I’ll guide you through the bilateral stimulation (whether it’s through eye movements, tapping, or sound), and I’ll be there to check in with you, making sure that you feel safe and supported the entire time. The pace is driven by you—we only move as fast as you feel comfortable.

Therapy Session

OUR APPROACH TO EMDR

At the core of our EMDR therapy approach is the belief that healing happens at your pace, in a safe and supportive space. We work together to identify your goals and create a plan that feels right for you, always ensuring you feel heard and understood. Your comfort is our priority, so we move at a pace that respects your emotional readiness and process.

 

Our work is not just about processing memories but also about integrating the body and mind to help you heal as a whole person. We focus on lasting healing by addressing the root causes of distress, not just offering temporary relief. Beyond the sessions, we provide compassionate support to help you stay grounded and continue your journey toward peace and freedom.

IS EMDR RIGHT FOR ME?

If you’re ready to feel more at ease in your own skin, to stop being overwhelmed by the past, and to heal from emotional wounds, EMDR therapy could be a powerful tool for you. It’s a chance to break free from the past and move forward with a sense of peace and clarity.

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If you’re feeling unsure or have more questions, let’s talk. We can schedule a consultation to explore whether EMDR is the right fit for your needs.

Clinicians Offering EMDR Therapy

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Rafaella Smith-Fiallo, LCSW

(she/ella)

specialties: childhood trauma and attachment, sexual trauma and abuse across the lifespan, sexual pleasure and orgasm difficulties, relational betrayal, lgbtqia+ identity exploration, non-monogamy, kink/BDSM

kseal1_edited.png

Kat Seal, LMSW

(any pronoun)

specialties: trauma, complex PTSD, lgbtqia+ identity exploration, sexuality/kink, non-monogamy, life transitions, highly sensitive persons and neurodiveristy

FAQs

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​Can EMDR work if I don’t consciously remember the trauma?
Yes! EMDR can help process memories or emotions that are stored in the body and subconscious, even if you don't consciously remember a traumatic event. Many times, trauma can manifest through physical symptoms, anxiety, or overwhelming emotions, and EMDR can help address those without needing to remember every detail.

 

Does EMDR require me to talk about the trauma in-depth?
No, one of the advantages of EMDR is that you don’t need to go into extensive detail about the trauma. The goal is not to re-live the experience but to process it in a way that diminishes its emotional charge. You will not be forced to talk about anything you're not ready to share. EMDR works by targeting the emotional response to the memory, rather than focusing on every single event.

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Can I continue other therapies or medications while doing EMDR?
Yes, you can continue with other forms of therapy or medication while undergoing EMDR. In fact, many people find that EMDR complements other treatment methods, whether it's talk therapy, CBT, or medication. We can work together to ensure that EMDR fits seamlessly with your current treatment plan.

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What happens if I start feeling overwhelmed during a session?
If at any point you feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable, we can pause and use grounding techniques to help you feel safe and in control. Your comfort is our priority, and you will never be pushed to process anything before you're ready. We can always slow down, adjust the process, or take a break to ensure that you are supported throughout the entire session.

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Will EMDR fix everything immediately?
While EMDR is a powerful and effective tool for processing trauma and emotional distress, it’s important to understand that healing is a journey. Some issues may resolve quickly, while others may take a bit more time to process. It’s common to experience lasting positive changes after just a few sessions, but the results can vary depending on the complexity and depth of what’s being addressed.

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What are the risks of EMDR therapy?
For most people, EMDR is a safe and effective therapy. However, because it can bring up intense emotions or memories, some people may experience temporary emotional distress after a session. It’s important to talk to your therapist about any concerns you have, and we will provide guidance and support throughout the process to minimize any discomfort.

 

How can I prepare for my first EMDR session?
Before your first EMDR session, it can be helpful to think about the issues or memories you’d like to work on, but you don't need to have everything figured out in advance. It’s also a good idea to come to the session with an open mind and a willingness to engage in the process. We’ll talk through everything and make sure you feel comfortable and confident before we begin.

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How does EMDR differ from other trauma therapies?
While many trauma therapies, like talk therapy or CBT, focus on discussing or reframing traumatic memories, EMDR directly works with the brain’s natural healing mechanisms. It uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories, making them less emotionally charged, which can lead to faster results. Unlike some other therapies, EMDR doesn’t require in-depth verbal exploration of every detail of the trauma but still achieves profound healing.

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Is EMDR therapy the same as hypnosis?

No, EMDR is not hypnosis. In hypnosis, the therapist guides you into a trance-like state, while in EMDR, you remain fully aware and alert during the entire process. The key difference is that EMDR works by stimulating the brain’s natural healing abilities through bilateral stimulation, which helps process memories and emotions without needing you to enter a deeply relaxed state.

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