EMDR Therapy for Trauma, Mental Health, and Peak Performance
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach that helps people heal from traumatic, distressing, or overwhelming life experiences. EMDR therapy can also help athletes, performers, professionals, and other high-achieving individuals address performance blocks and strengthen confidence.
Amanda Martin Counseling offers EMDR therapy for mental health concerns and peak-performance goals through in-person and virtual appointments.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Distressing experiences can sometimes remain stored in ways that cause the mind and body to react as though a past event is still happening. EMDR therapy uses a structured, eight-phase treatment approach to help the brain reprocess these experiences and develop more adaptive responses.
During EMDR processing, the clinician may use bilateral stimulation through guided eye movements, alternating taps, or sounds. While maintaining a dual focus on the memory and the present moment, clients are invited to notice thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and associations that emerge.
The goal is not to erase the memory. Instead, EMDR therapy is intended to reduce the memory’s emotional and physiological intensity so that it can be recalled without producing the same overwhelming response.
The goal of EMDR therapy is to help maintain a present awareness in situations that trigger the painful memory without activating a threatening response in your body. There is not a set number of sessions for EMDR therapy, but symptom reduction is typically reported after 10-12 sessions. This type of therapy can be done in-office or through virtual appointments. EMDR therapy is offered at all three locations.
If you are seeking additional information on researchers on EMDR therapy, visit www.emdria.org.
EMDR therapy is widely associated with treating trauma and post-traumatic stress. Depending on a client’s history, symptoms, readiness, and treatment needs, it may also be incorporated into counseling for:
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress
- Anxiety, fear, and panic
- Depression and negative beliefs
- Grief and loss
- Distressing childhood experiences
- Relationship trauma
- Emotional dysregulation
- Performance anxiety
- Phobias and avoidance
- Chronic stress
- Painful or intrusive memories
- Low self-confidence
- Medical or injury-related trauma
Treatment recommendations are individualized, and EMDR may be used independently or alongside other evidence-based counseling approaches.
There is no predetermined number of EMDR therapy sessions. Some clients may notice symptom improvement within approximately 10–12 sessions, while others may need fewer or more sessions. Treatment length depends on several factors, including:
- The nature and severity of symptoms
- Whether the concern involves a single event or multiple experiences
- The client’s current stability and available support
- The presence of complex or developmental trauma
- Treatment goals and readiness for memory processing
EMDR therapy includes assessment, preparation, stabilization, memory processing, and progress evaluation. Your clinician will work collaboratively with you to determine an appropriate pace and treatment plan. Individual outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
In-Person and Virtual EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy is available at all three Amanda Martin Counseling locations. Clients may participate through:
- In-person EMDR therapy
- Secure virtual EMDR appointments
- EMDR therapy for mental health concerns
- Peak-performance EMDR for athletes and performers
Virtual services are subject to clinical appropriateness and professional licensure requirements based on the client’s physical location during the appointment.
EMDR therapy appointments are $190 each.
Peak-Performance EMDR Therapy
Peak-performance EMDR applies EMDR principles to performance challenges rather than focusing exclusively on mental health symptoms. It may benefit athletes, equestrians, musicians, performers, executives, public speakers, and other individuals who feel unable to perform consistently at their demonstrated skill level.
Peak-performance EMDR may help address:
- Performance anxiety
- Fear of failure or making mistakes
- Mental blocks and “freezing” under pressure
- Loss of confidence following an injury or setback
- Difficulty recovering from a disappointing performance
- Negative self-talk and self-doubt
- Anxiety about returning to competition
- Difficulty maintaining focus under pressure
- Past experiences that interfere with present performance
Treatment may include identifying the experiences or beliefs contributing to the performance block, strengthening internal resources, processing relevant memories, and mentally rehearsing effective future performance.
Learn more through the EMDRIA performance-enhancement resources and the EMDR Therapy and Sports Performance podcast.
How Can Peak-Performance EMDR Help Me?
Peak-performance EMDR therapy can help athletes, performers, executives, public speakers, and other high-achieving individuals overcome mental barriers and perform more consistently under pressure. This specialized approach uses EMDR therapy techniques to address past experiences, negative beliefs, anxiety, or self-doubt that may interfere with reaching your full potential.
Benefits of Peak-Performance EMDR Therapy
Peak-performance EMDR may help you:
- Increase self-awareness
- Develop more positive and effective self-talk
- Strengthen confidence in your abilities
- Reduce performance anxiety and fear of failure
- Recover from mistakes, injuries, or disappointing performances
- Improve focus during high-pressure situations
- Execute practiced skills on demand
- Overcome mental blocks or feelings of being “stuck”
- Activate a confident performance mindset
- Mentally rehearse successful future performances
EMDR is a comprehensive therapeutic model that can support performance in many areas of life. Treatment is personalized to your goals, experiences, strengths, and the specific situations that interfere with your performance.
Who Can Benefit From Peak-Performance EMDR?
Peak-performance EMDR may be appropriate for:
- Athletes and equestrians
- Musicians, actors, and dancers
- Public speakers
- Students and test takers
- Executives and business professionals
- First responders
- Individuals preparing for auditions, competitions, or major events
You do not need to have a mental health diagnosis to benefit from performance-focused EMDR. However, when trauma, anxiety, or another mental health concern contributes to the performance difficulty, your clinician may recommend integrating peak-performance work into a broader treatment plan.
In-Person and Virtual Peak-Performance EMDR
Peak-performance EMDR therapy is offered in person at all three Amanda Martin Counseling locations and through secure virtual appointments when clinically appropriate. Your clinician will collaborate with you to identify performance barriers, strengthen helpful internal resources, and develop a personalized plan for performing with greater confidence and consistency.
Learn more about EMDR therapy and performance enhancement through the EMDR International Association.
In-office and virtual 50-minute appointments are $190 each.
Travel charge to the location of performance within 25 miles is $75 and 26-50 miles is $125 plus the appointment fee.
For more information about EMDR therapy, research, treatment expectations, and qualified practitioners, visit: