EMDR Therapy, CT
Helping professionals heal from trauma and reclaim their lives using EMDR therapy
In-person in Manchester, CT, serving surrounding communities in Glastonbury, South Windsor and online throughout CT
You have been dealing with the same patterns for years: the anxiety, recurring patterns in relationships, phobias, and traumatic memories that will not go away. You have tried self-help, traditional psychotherapy, yoga… Nothing seems to help.
There is hope…
EMDR Therapy in Manchester, CT
When you understand what is holding you back, but still struggle to move forward.
You may know why you feel anxious or why certain situations bring up strong reactions. You may have worked hard to understand yourself, yet find that old experiences, self-doubt, or difficult emotions still affect your everyday life.
At Stress Less Be You in Manchester, Connecticut, I offer EMDR therapy for adults who want to work through distressing experiences and develop greater flexibility in how they respond to life. I integrate EMDR with somatic awareness and other therapeutic approaches based on your individual needs.
Laurie Pels-Roulier, LMFT, LPC | EMDR Certified Therapist
CALL TO ACTION BUTTON: Contact Stress Less Be You (link to your existing contact or consultation page).
Could EMDR therapy be right for you?
You might be considering therapy if you notice:
· Distressing memories or reminders that still affect you
· Anxiety or emotional reactions that seem bigger than the situation
· Persistent self-criticism or beliefs such as “I’m not good enough”
· Feeling stuck in familiar relationship or coping patterns
· Difficulty settling after stressful experiences
· A gap between what you understand intellectually and how you feel emotionally
These experiences can have many causes. We will explore your concerns together and determine whether EMDR is an appropriate part of your treatment.
What is EMDR therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured psychotherapy with strong evidence for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps people process distressing memories and the thoughts, emotions, and body sensations connected to them.
During certain phases of EMDR, your therapist uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or alternating taps, while you attend to aspects of a distressing memory. The goal is not to erase what happened. It is to reduce the distress associated with the memory and support more adaptive ways of understanding the experience.
Why insight alone may not change how you feel
You may know that a current situation is safe, yet still feel tense or on guard. Or you may know that one mistake does not define you, but find yourself reacting with intense shame. Sometimes earlier experiences continue to shape present-day responses. EMDR may help when these reactions are linked to distressing memories.
My approach: EMDR and somatic therapy
I approach therapy collaboratively, with attention to both your emotional experience and how stress shows up in your body. Somatic awareness can help you notice tension, activation, or withdrawal and develop skills to respond with greater choice. When appropriate, we may combine this work with EMDR processing.
We will spend time understanding your history, goals, resources, and readiness. You will not be pushed into memory processing before we have established an appropriate foundation.
What to expect in EMDR sessions
EMDR follows an eight-phase framework. Early sessions typically include discussing your concerns, identifying goals, and building preparation and coping skills. When you are ready, we may identify memories or experiences to work on and use bilateral stimulation as part of processing. We will continue to assess how you are doing and adjust treatment as needed.
You do not necessarily need to describe every detail of a difficult experience aloud. Treatment length varies depending on your history, goals, and the complexity of the concerns you bring.
If you would like a deep dive on the whole process, read my blog on EMDR Therapy: What to Expect Before, During and After, A Complete Guide
EMDR therapy for anxiety and feeling stuck
Some people seek EMDR because anxiety, perfectionism, or self-doubt seems connected to past criticism, painful relationships, or other distressing experiences. EMDR may be helpful in selected cases, although it is not the first-line treatment for every anxiety condition. We can discuss whether EMDR or another evidence-based approach is a better fit.
Read more about EMDR for Anxiety, Perfectionism & Feeling Stuck.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have PTSD to try EMDR?
No. EMDR is best established for PTSD, but it may sometimes be used for other difficulties when distressing experiences contribute to symptoms. An assessment will help determine whether it is appropriate.
Will I have to relive everything that happened?
EMDR can bring up uncomfortable memories and emotions, but you do not have to recount every detail aloud. Preparation, pacing, and ongoing assessment are important parts of treatment.
How long does EMDR therapy take?
There is no single timeline. The number of sessions depends on your symptoms, history, treatment goals, and response to therapy.
Is EMDR the same as hypnosis?
No. EMDR is a structured psychotherapy. You remain awake and actively engaged throughout the session.
EMDR therapy in Manchester and surrounding Connecticut communities
Stress Less Be You is located in Manchester, CT, and welcomes clients from nearby communities, including Glastonbury, South Windsor, East Hartford, and Vernon. Contact the practice to discuss current appointment options and whether this service is a good fit.
Take the next step
You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. If distressing experiences, anxiety, or old patterns continue to affect your life, I invite you to explore whether EMDR therapy could help.