EMDR Therapy for Trauma, Anxiety & Complex Trauma

A trauma-focused approach for when insight isn't enough.

EMDR Therapy with Amanda Marks

You can understand why you feel the way you do and still feel stuck.

Maybe you know exactly where your anxiety comes from. Maybe you've talked about your childhood, your relationships, or the things that happened to you many times before. You may even understand your patterns really well—but your body still reacts as if you're back there.

EMDR therapy can offer a different way of working with those experiences.

I use EMDR to help clients process distressing experiences, reduce the intensity of trauma-related responses, and develop a greater sense of safety and flexibility in the present.

My approach is individualized and informed by trauma therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), attachment, somatic approaches, and an understanding of complex trauma and dissociation.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach originally developed to help people process distressing and traumatic experiences.

EMDR isn't simply about talking through what happened. It uses bilateral stimulation while you focus on aspects of an experience, allowing the brain to process information that may have remained stuck or continue to trigger emotional, physical, or behavioral reactions.

EMDR can be used with single-incident trauma as well as more complex experiences, including childhood trauma, relational trauma, attachment wounds, and other experiences that continue to affect how you feel about yourself, your relationships, or your sense of safety.

EMDR is not about forcing yourself to remember everything or reliving trauma in the most painful way possible. Treatment is paced around your needs, readiness, and capacity to stay present.

free consultation

Who Can EMDR Therapy Help?

EMDR may be helpful for people experiencing:

Trauma or complex trauma
Anxiety and chronic worry
Panic or feeling constantly on edge
Distressing memories or experiences that continue to feel "stuck"
Childhood or relational trauma
Attachment wounds
Shame or persistent negative beliefs about yourself
Emotional reactions that feel bigger than the current situation
Avoidance, hypervigilance, or difficulty feeling safe
Body-based responses connected to past experiences
Repeated relationship patterns
Experiences that you understand intellectually but still react to emotionally

EMDR isn't a one-size-fits-all treatment, and it isn't appropriate to rush every client into trauma processing. Part of the work is determining what approach and pace make sense for you.

EMDR is more than following a set of steps.

My approach is informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS), trauma-informed therapy, attachment, somatic approaches, and nervous-system regulation. This allows us to pay attention not only to the memory you're working on, but also to the protective patterns, emotions, body responses, and internal conflicts that may be connected to it.

Sometimes the most important thing isn't processing a memory right away. It may be understanding a protective response, building resources, developing greater capacity to stay present, or helping different parts of you feel safer.

The goal is not to push you through EMDR. The goal is to create the conditions for meaningful processing and change.

My Approach to EMDR

Complex Trauma and Dissociation

EMDR can be helpful for people whose trauma is complex, longstanding, or connected to relationships and attachment.

When clients have experienced chronic trauma or dissociative responses, EMDR may require a different pace and approach than treatment for a single traumatic event. We may spend more time on preparation, stabilization, grounding, dual awareness, nervous-system regulation, and understanding protective responses before moving into deeper processing.

Dissociation can sometimes be a way the nervous system has learned to manage experiences that felt overwhelming. Rather than viewing these responses as something to simply get rid of, I approach them with curiosity and respect while helping clients develop greater awareness, choice, and connection.

If you've been told you're "not ready for EMDR" or you've tried EMDR before and felt overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck, that doesn't necessarily mean EMDR isn't right for you. It may mean that a different approach or pace is needed.

Weekly EMDR Therapy or an EMDR Intensive?

EMDR can be provided as part of traditional weekly therapy or through a more concentrated intensive format.

Weekly EMDR therapy may be a good fit if you prefer to work gradually over time and integrate therapy into your regular schedule.

IFS-informed EMDR intensives provide extended sessions designed to create more concentrated time for preparation, processing, and integration around specific treatment goals.

An intensive isn't about rushing trauma processing. It is about creating more therapeutic space when a concentrated format makes sense.

Learn more about IFS-Informed EMDR Intensives Here

EMDR Therapy in Georgia and Florida

I provide EMDR therapy for adults in Marietta, Georgia and Coconut Creek, Florida.

Meet Amanda Marks

I'm Amanda Marks, a licensed therapist, clinical supervisor/consultant and EMDR clinician with extensive experience working with trauma and complex clinical presentations.

My approach to EMDR is informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS), trauma therapy, attachment, somatic approaches, and nervous-system regulation. I have particular experience working with complex trauma, dissociation, anxiety, and clients who feel stuck despite having significant insight into their experiences.

I believe effective EMDR requires more than knowing the protocol. It requires clinical judgment, curiosity, flexibility, and attention to the person—not just the target.

LPC in Georgia and South Carolina
CPCS in Georgia
LMHC in Florida
EMDR Certified
EMDRIA Approved Consultant in Training
EMDR Frequently Asked Questions:
What does an EMDR session look like?
EMDR sessions begin with a conversation about your goals, history, and what you need to feel safe and supported in therapy. When you're ready, your therapist will guide you through recalling aspects of a difficult experience while using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds. You'll remain present and in control throughout the process, and sessions are paced according to your needs.
Do I have to talk about everything that happened?
No. You don't have to share every detail of a traumatic experience for EMDR to be effective. Your therapist will work with you to identify what feels important to address while respecting your boundaries, readiness, and sense of safety. You can move at your own pace.
Is EMDR only for PTSD?
No. Although EMDR is well known for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it can also help with anxiety, distressing memories, negative beliefs about yourself, and experiences that continue to affect your daily life. EMDR can be useful when past experiences influence how you feel, think, or respond to situations in the present.
Can EMDR help with complex trauma?
Yes. EMDR can be adapted for people who have experienced repeated, prolonged, or childhood trauma. Complex trauma often requires additional preparation, stabilization, and attention to relationship patterns, emotional regulation, and deeply rooted beliefs. Treatment is individualized, with an emphasis on building safety and working at a pace that feels manageable.
Can EMDR be used with dissociation?
Yes. EMDR can be used with people who experience dissociation, but treatment requires specialized knowledge, careful assessment, and thoughtful pacing. Therapy may focus on building present-moment awareness, strengthening internal resources, and increasing the ability to stay grounded before processing traumatic memories. The goal is to help you feel more connected and in control, rather than overwhelmed by the process.
What if I've tried EMDR before?
A previous experience with EMDR doesn't necessarily mean it won't work for you. Sometimes treatment moves too quickly, preparation isn't sufficient, or underlying concerns such as complex trauma or dissociation need more attention. A therapist can help you understand what may have gotten in the way and develop an approach that better fits your needs.
How long does EMDR therapy take?
The length of EMDR therapy depends on your goals, history, and the experiences you're working through. Some people notice changes within a relatively short period, while others—particularly those healing from complex or developmental trauma—may benefit from longer-term treatment. Your therapist will work with you to develop a plan that considers your needs, readiness, and progress.
Is EMDR different from traditional talk therapy?
Yes. While traditional talk therapy often emphasizes talking through experiences, understanding patterns, and developing coping strategies, EMDR focuses on helping the brain and nervous system process distressing memories and experiences. You don't have to spend every session talking about the past, and EMDR can be integrated with other therapeutic approaches. The goal is not simply to understand what happened, but to help those experiences feel less distressing in the present.