[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Curious About Therapy In St. George, UT?
Let’s face it: It’s not every day you finally find a Southern Utah therapist who believes there is no wrong way to be you.
If you’ve been curious about EMDR therapy, you might be wondering:
● Am I a good candidate?
● Is it safe?
● What if it feels overwhelming?
These are important and very common questions — especially in a culture that often tells us to “forgive, forget, and move on.” As if it were that clear and easy!; You and everyone else would have healed by now.
The truth is, healing anxiety, trauma, and old wounds is something you deserve to do step-by-step, on your own terms and your own timeline. You can work with a therapist who collaborates with you as you clarify your goals, identify targets/stressors to work through and heal from, all while setting a pace and focus that feels challenging (in the best of ways), yet safe and sustainable.
This blog will walk you through what you should know about EMDR therapy before getting started — so you can feel confident, informed, and safe as you make this decision for yourself.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://guidedwellnesscounselingut.com/what-is-emdr-therapy-how-does-it-work/” button_text=”WHAT IS EMDR THERAPY?” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”postButton” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#35736F” button_border_radius=”21px” custom_margin=”20px||20px||true|false” button_text_size_tablet=”14px” button_text_size_phone=”8px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_button][et_pb_heading title=”Am I a Good Candidate for EMDR Therapy?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Most people who come to EMDR therapy are carrying something heavy — a painful memory, a difficult season of life, or lingering stress that won’t seem to let go. If that’s you, chances are you may benefit.
You might be a good candidate if:
● You’ve experienced trauma (big or small) that still feels present or “triggered”.
● Anxiety or worry is keeping you from feeling steady and grounded.
● Grief or loss continues to weigh on you.
● Depression leaves you feeling stuck or disconnected.
● Phobias, panic, or old patterns interfere with the life you want.
At Guided Wellness Counseling, we see ambitious women in St. George who are tired of carrying it all alone. They’re ready for something different — something that goes deeper than surface-level coping and helps them feel lighter, calmer, and more resilient. EMDR therapy can often be that “something.”
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/ced2f94c/appointment/76124480/calendar/11791995″ button_text=”GET MATCHED WITH A THERAPIST” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”postButton” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#35736F” button_border_radius=”21px” custom_margin=”20px||20px||true|false” button_text_size_tablet=”14px” button_text_size_phone=”8px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_button][et_pb_image src=”https://guidedwellnesscounselingut.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/adria-garcia-sarceda-_ugSMc2qLxg-unsplash-scaled.jpg” alt=”holding a phone” title_text=”adria-garcia-sarceda-_ugSMc2qLxg-unsplash” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_heading title=”Is EMDR Therapy Safe?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
This is a question many women ask, especially if they’ve tried other therapies and still felt overwhelmed. Here’s the good news: EMDR therapy is considered safe and effective by organizations like the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization.
But safety doesn’t just come from the therapy itself — it also comes from the pace and process. Your therapist won’t rush you. We’ll build grounding skills, coping tools, and a sense of trust before ever stepping into the hardest memories. In fact, part of our role is to make sure you feel empowered and in control the whole way through.
One of the things we love about EMDR therapy at our St. George, UT therapy office is that it is so flexible. If a client wants to tackle the worst part of a memory first (and we’ve done the work to prepare for the emotions that may arise) – we can jump in with both feet. But if we need to wade in slowly, breaking an event down piece by piece, we can do that too and it works just as well.
More recently, many of our clients have found EMDR so impactful that they want to double their efforts by doing two therapy sessions a week or longer, 90-minute or 3-hour EMDR therapy “intensives.” They enjoy the sensation of being “in the zone” while healing from difficult moments and feel less tender after difficult therapy sessions.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Are There Risks or Side Effects With EMDR Therapy?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Just like any therapy, EMDR therapy can stir things up. You may notice:
● Feeling emotionally raw after a session.
● Vivid dreams or strong memories resurfacing.
● Physical sensations, like tension or fatigue.
These experiences are often a sign that your brain and body are processing what’s been stored away. And while they can feel uncomfortable, they’re temporary — and your therapist will guide you through how to manage them safely.
I would be remiss not to offer that some clients sleep better, have more comfortable dreams, and experience an immediate release of tension following sessions. Your therapist will work with you at the end of every therapy session to ensure that you feel ‘wrapped up’ and grounded at the end of your EMDR therapy sessions.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://guidedwellnesscounselingut.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/kelly-sikkema-z0aKv4p9pH4-unsplash-scaled.jpg” alt=”holding a phone” title_text=”kelly-sikkema-z0aKv4p9pH4-unsplash” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_heading title=”Starting EMDR Therapy in St. George: Could I “Get Worse” Before I Get Better?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
This is a common concern, especially in Southern Utah’s culture of resilience and “moving on quickly.” Other times, this concern comes up because we want change, but we’re not sure if we can handle the change, the truth, or feeling ‘all the feels’. Some women also carry a fearful question: “If I get over this, what does that mean for my future?” Let’s break these worries down one by one.
Could you get worse before you get better? Yes.
And – this is true of all therapy. Every single one. In fact, most therapy or medical practices (including Guided Wellness Counseling) include in our Treatment Consent forms, the risk of negative reactions or experiences. As a comparison, at the dentist this past month, I tolerated quite a bit of discomfort and anxiety during a cleaning. But the discomfort was temporary. And, I trusted myself and my care providers to do the very best they could to support me and move the process along. Our St. George, UT therapists will do the same for you – work hard to earn your trust and confidence and then move the process along at a pace that feels right for you.
Luckily, with EMDR therapy, there’s nothing you have to tolerate in the name of healing. We have a deep and well-stocked ‘tool box’ of skills, approaches, and ways we can customize the EMDR experience for you. Additionally, you have the flexibility to control the pace and focus. If there’s something you don’t want to share (e.g. a painful detail, etc) – we can move forward as best as possible without knowing.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”How is EMDR therapy different from talk therapy, CBT, or exposure therapy?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]I’m going to rely on the research here, since, as the owner of Guided Wellness Counseling, I’m partial to EMDR therapy and proud that our office is the premier provider of EMDR therapy for women in Southern Utah. I’ve also experienced the success of EMDR therapy in my own life for more than one trauma or season of life.
If you’ve been looking into trauma therapy, you may have come across different options like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), exposure therapy, or EMDR therapy. All of these approaches can help people heal from trauma, but EMDR therapy has some unique benefits that might make it the right fit for you.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/ced2f94c/appointment/76124480/calendar/11791995″ button_text=”WANT A FREE CONSULTATION?” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”postButton” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#35736F” button_border_radius=”21px” custom_margin=”20px||20px||true|false” button_text_size_tablet=”14px” button_text_size_phone=”8px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]
What about concerns that you won’t be able to handle all the feelings and emotions? Well, sometimes EMDR feels intense at first because you’re facing what you’ve avoided. There’s no shame or blame here. We all push difficult/complicated feelings aside from time to time to get through the day. Sometimes we push those emotions aside for a whole season of life.
But here’s the difference: you’re not doing it alone anymore. With the right support, the distress fades faster, and you gain lasting relief instead of carrying the same pain year after year. Our client’s experience of emotions during EMDR therapy is that they rise high like a wave in the ocean, and then become more gentle and manageable as they come into shore. Our clients learn to ride these waves, knowing the feelings don’t last forever. In practice, during EMDR therapy sessions, we often have you focus intensely on your thoughts, emotions, and body sensations for just 60-second intervals while doing back-and-forth eye movements.
Concerned about what healing means for your future? Rest assured, gaining clarity on your future is an integral part of the EMDR process, and your therapist will guide you through that, step-by-step. What you’ll experience during EMDR is time reducing and clearing pain from the past, followed by clearing and reducing pain from current triggers, and finally applying what you’ve learned to future scenarios.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://guidedwellnesscounselingut.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/look-studio-ANvoyiaAAiY-unsplash-scaled.jpg” alt=”holding a phone” title_text=”look-studio-ANvoyiaAAiY-unsplash” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_heading title=”What If I Dissociate or Can’t Handle Strong Emotions?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Dissociation — that “spaced out” or “numb” feeling — is a natural response to overwhelming experiences. If this happens for you, know that it doesn’t disqualify you from EMDR. In fact, it’s something we specifically plan for in therapy.
Your therapist will help you recognize the signs of dissociation and teach you grounding strategies before beginning trauma processing. EMDR therapy is adaptable — meaning if you need to slow down, pause, or focus on a coping skill instead of memory work, that’s exactly what we’ll do. You’ll never be pushed further than you’re ready to go.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Begin EMDR Therapy in St. George, UT” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]
So, could you be ready? Maybe you’ve tried to convince yourself you should already be “over it.” Maybe you’ve been told to forgive and move on. But the truth is: healing doesn’t come from dismissing your pain — it comes from tending to it.
If you’ve been carrying memories, emotions, or patterns that won’t let go, EMDR therapy may help you finally release them. And you don’t have to wait for another year, another season, or for life to magically feel easier. You can choose to begin now — and expedite your healing process.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/ced2f94c/appointment/76124480/calendar/11791995″ button_text=”BOOK YOUR CONSULTATION?” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”postButton” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#35736F” button_border_radius=”21px” custom_margin=”20px||20px||true|false” button_text_size_tablet=”14px” button_text_size_phone=”8px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]
At Guided Wellness Counseling, we believe you deserve healing that lasts. Not just another dozen coping skills or emotional-support latte. If you’re curious about EMDR, we’d love to answer your questions in a free 15-minute phone consultation. Together, we’ll explore your goals, your concerns, and whether EMDR is the right fit for you. Then we’ll custom-match you to a provider on our team. No – we don’t schedule you with whoever has the next opening. We want to make sure you and your therapist are aligned with your goals and needs.
You can schedule your free consultation today — and let’s take the next step, together.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]