Trauma & Specialty Care
EMDR Therapy in the South Bay
EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a structured, extensively researched approach to healing from trauma and distressing life experiences. Rather than asking you to talk through a painful memory again and again, EMDR helps the brain reprocess it, so it loses its grip and takes its proper place in the past. For many people, it reaches what talk alone cannot.
At Bodhi Clinical, EMDR is offered as part of coordinated, whole-person care, in person at our South Bay office or virtually across California.
What EMDR can help with
EMDR is best known for trauma and post-traumatic stress, but its reach is wider. People come to us for support with:
- Trauma and PTSD, including single events and longstanding experiences
- Distressing or intrusive memories that won't settle
- Anxiety and panic rooted in past experience
- Grief, loss, and painful life transitions
- The lingering weight of experiences that talk therapy alone hasn't resolved
Our approach
EMDR is recognized by the World Health Organization as a first-line treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, and endorsed by the American Psychological Association and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. We deliver it the way all care should be delivered here, thoughtfully, and at your pace. Our work is trauma-informed from the first conversation: we move only as quickly as feels safe, and we build the groundwork before we ever approach a difficult memory.
Sources: American Psychological Association; U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD.
EMDR is also not the only path, and not everyone needs it. Some people do their deepest work through body-based somatic approaches; others through individual therapy. Because our team is coordinated under one roof, we can match you to the approach that fits, and combine them when that serves you best. EMDR sits within our broader trauma and PTSD care.
What to expect
EMDR unfolds in phases. We begin by understanding your history and building a sense of safety and steadiness. Only then do we turn, gently, to the experiences that brought you in, using guided attention to help your brain reprocess them. Many people notice that a memory which once felt overwhelming begins to feel more distant, more manageable, and less charged.
The number of sessions varies from person to person and depends on what you're working through. We'll talk openly about what to expect for your situation, and you'll never be pushed faster than you're ready to go.
Why Bodhi for EMDR
EMDR at Bodhi is led by Jack Foley, LMFT, our co-founder, who is trained in EMDR and brings years of experience in trauma and recovery. You'll work within a coordinated clinical team, with the same unhurried attention whether you see us in the South Bay or online, and the option to draw on psychiatry, somatic work, or talk therapy as your care evolves.
How it works
Starting is simple.
Book a free consultation
A confidential 15-minute call to understand what you need.
Get matched
We pair you with the right clinician for your goals.
Begin care
Start in person or online, at a pace that feels right.
Questions
Frequently asked
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps the brain reprocess trauma and distressing memories using guided bilateral attention, so those memories lose their emotional charge.
Is EMDR evidence-based?
Yes. EMDR is extensively researched and recognized as an effective approach for trauma and post-traumatic stress by major health bodies. We are glad to talk through what the research does and does not say for your situation.
What does an EMDR session look like?
After preparation work, your clinician guides your attention, often through eye movements or other bilateral stimulation, while you briefly hold a target memory. Sessions are structured, collaborative, and paced to keep you within a window of comfort.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
It varies. Some people work through a specific event in a handful of sessions, while longstanding or layered experiences take longer. We will give you a realistic sense of this early on.
What if I don’t think EMDR is right for me?
That is completely valid, EMDR is not the only path. We also offer traditional talk therapy and body-based approaches, and we will help you find the approach that fits.
Do you offer EMDR online?
Yes. We provide EMDR in person at our South Bay office and virtually for clients across California, with the same standard of care either way.
When you're ready, a conversation is the place to begin.
Book a complimentary 15-minute consultation, confidential, and without obligation.
Book a free consultation