EMDR Therapy in NYC - Trauma & Anxiety Treatmen
Some experiences stay with you in a way that talking about them doesn’t fully resolve. You might understand what happened, but it still feels present. Certain memories feel raw, intrusive, or difficult to move past.
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is designed to help your brain process those experiences so they no longer carry the same emotional weight. EMDR therapy in NYC offers a structured, evidence-based approach to working through trauma, anxiety, and distressing memories.
Kiera Murphy, LMHC, is EMDRIA-trained and uses EMDR to help clients feel more grounded, less reactive, and no longer stuck in the same emotional patterns.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a form of therapy that helps the brain process distressing experiences so they feel less overwhelming over time.
During EMDR therapy in NYC, you are guided through a process that allows your brain to reprocess memories that may feel “stuck.” These are often experiences that still trigger strong emotional reactions, even if they happened years ago.
Rather than focusing only on talking through what happened, EMDR works with how those memories are stored in the brain. As processing happens, the intensity of those memories often decreases, and they begin to feel more like something that happened in the past, not something you are still reacting to in the present.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
What Does an EMDR Session Look Like?
Working with an EMDR therapist in NYC involves a structured process that moves at a pace that feels manageable for you.
Sessions typically include:
Identifying a specific memory, experience, or pattern to focus on
Noticing the thoughts, emotions, and physical responses connected to it
Using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, to support processing
Allowing the brain to naturally reprocess the experience over time
You remain fully aware and in control throughout the session. The goal is not to relive the experience, but to help your brain process it in a way that reduces its intensity.
Sometimes when something overwhelming or distressing happens, the brain does not fully process the experience. Instead, the memory can feel “stuck,” and situations in the present can trigger the same emotions, thoughts, and body reactions as the original event.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories so they become integrated in a healthier way, which often reduces emotional intensity, negative beliefs, and physical reactions.
Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR can be a good fit if you feel like something from your past is still impacting how you think, feel, or respond today.
It may be helpful if:
You feel triggered by certain memories or situations
You notice strong emotional reactions that feel hard to explain
You’ve talked about something in therapy but still feel stuck
You want an approach that goes beyond insight and into processing
If you’re considering EMDR therapy in NYC, it’s important that the process feels safe and paced appropriately. Part of the work is making sure you feel supported and prepared before moving into deeper processing.
What EMDR Treats
EMDR is most commonly associated with trauma, but it is also effective for a range of concerns.
It can be helpful for:
Trauma and PTSD
Anxiety and chronic worry
Intrusive thoughts
Phobias and specific fears
Experiences that still feel unresolved
Many people seek out EMDR for trauma in NYC when they feel like certain experiences are still affecting them, even after time has passed.
EMDR can also be helpful for anxiety. If you’ve been exploring EMDR for anxiety in New York, it is often because anxiety feels tied to past experiences or patterns that are difficult to shift through traditional talk therapy alone.
EMDR vs CBT - How They Work Together
EMDR and CBT are both effective approaches, but they work in different ways.
CBT focuses on identifying and changing thought patterns in the present. It helps you respond differently to anxiety, overthinking, and stress.
EMDR focuses more on how past experiences are stored and processed. It helps reduce the emotional intensity of those experiences so they have less impact on you now.
In some cases, these approaches can complement each other. For example, CBT can help you manage day-to-day thoughts, while EMDR helps process experiences that are still driving those patterns.
If you’re deciding between approaches, understanding this difference can help you choose what feels most relevant for you.
Kiera’s EMDR Training
Kiera Murphy, LMHC, is trained in EMDR through an EMDRIA-approved program. This is a recognized standard for EMDR training and ensures that the work is done in a structured, ethical, and effective way.
Working with an EMDR therapist in NYC who has completed EMDRIA-approved training means the process is guided carefully, with attention to pacing, safety, and your individual needs.
Her approach integrates EMDR with other evidence-based methods when appropriate, allowing the work to be both structured and flexible depending on what you’re experiencing.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes. EMDR is a well-researched, evidence-based therapy. The process is structured and paced to make sure you feel supported throughout.
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It depends on what you are working through. Some people notice shifts relatively quickly, while others benefit from a longer process.
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Yes. EMDR is often used for anxiety, especially when it is connected to past experiences or patterns that feel difficult to change.Item description
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Yes. EMDR can be adapted for virtual sessions, making EMDR therapy in NYC accessible remotely.
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Costs vary depending on the structure of sessions. You can find more details on the pricing page.
Book an EMDR Consultation
If you feel like certain experiences are still affecting you, EMDR can help you process them in a way that feels more complete.
EMDR therapy in NYC offers a structured, evidence-based approach to reducing the intensity of distressing memories and helping you move forward with more clarity and stability.
trauma
past experiences
feeling stuck
overthinking
anxiety
negative self-beliefs
low self-esteem
relationship patterns
people-pleasing
perfectioinism
difficulty letting go
repeating patterns
feeling on edge
trauma past experiences feeling stuck overthinking anxiety negative self-beliefs low self-esteem relationship patterns people-pleasing perfectioinism difficulty letting go repeating patterns feeling on edge
