EMDR Therapy in Northglenn & Across Colorado

So, what exactly is EMDR?

EMDR — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — is a structured, well-researched therapy for processing trauma. Dr. Devin Rodriguez is EMDR certified and offers EMDR in person in Northglenn or by secure telehealth anywhere in Colorado, in English or Spanish.

Developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR asks you to briefly bring a difficult memory to mind while engaging in a specific rhythmic movement (usually guided eye movements, though tapping or sound can also be used). Part of how it works is a form of controlled exposure: safely revisiting a distressing memory in small, structured doses, paired with that bilateral stimulation, rather than avoiding it. Over a series of sessions, this appears to help the memory carry less emotional weight.

EMDR has the strongest research support for:

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Depression connected to a difficult experience

  • Anxiety, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Because so much addictive behavior and long-standing personality patterns can be rooted in unprocessed trauma, we also use EMDR, alongside other treatment, when trauma appears to be part of what's driving those struggles.

What to Expect During EMDR Sessions

EMDR typically unfolds over multiple sessions. For many clients, meaningful change begins to show faster than talk therapy alone, though this varies depending on what you're working through. You'll be an active partner in the process: your therapist guides you, and you share only what you're comfortable sharing.

EMDR isn't a one-time fix, and it isn't hypnosis or a magic fix. It's not about erasing the past. It's a therapeutic tool that helps you revisit old chapters with safety and clarity, so those once-overwhelming memories gradually lose their grip. Many clients describe feeling lighter, steadier, and more like themselves as the process continues.

If EMDR sounds like it might fit what you're carrying, our Trauma & PTSD page goes deeper into how we treat trauma specifically — including what EMDR looks like as part of that care.

Ready to take the next step? Book a free 15-minute consultation.