EMDR Therapy
Therapist Michela Tripp
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
I’m an EMDR therapist who’s also used EMDR in my personal therapy- I’ve experienced its effectiveness & understand it from both sides of the therapist’s chair. I know the nerves, the what-ifs, and the unexpected depth it can stir up. And I also know how freeing it can be to finally stop carrying what was never yours to hold.
Trauma’s effects don’t just go away…
You don’t need a PTSD diagnosis to benefit. EMDR has been used to support people through everything from childhood neglect to medical trauma, performance anxiety, grief, breakups, and self-worth struggles.
Trauma can show up loud (like panic attacks or flashbacks) or quiet (like overworking, perfectionism, or people-pleasing). Either way, it keeps you tethered to the past.. These patterns may look good on the outside and once kept you safe—but now, they’re keeping you stuck.
People come to me when they feel:
on edge
like everything looks fine—but inside, it’s not
stuck in overdrive: overworking, overthinking, overwhelmed
like their emotions are too much… or totally out of reach
foggy, disconnected, or not quite like themselves
tension, fatigue, or physical symptoms with no clear cause
like they’re numbing out with food, scrolling, or staying busy
driven by perfectionism and people-pleasing
cut off from their creativity, ease, or sense of aliveness
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a research-backed therapy designed to help you process and rewire how trauma lives in your brain and body. It allows your nervous system to stop reacting like it’s still happening in the present.
We help your brain finally finish what it started.
EMDR Therapy With Me—Step by Step
EMDR follows a structured 8-phase model, but how we move through it is always personalized, gentle, and grounded in your safety.
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We start by getting to know your story - what’s been hard, what’s still lingering, and what you hope to shift. From there, I build a tailored treatment plan that honors your nervous system and your goals.
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Before any trauma work begins, we focus on resourcing. That means learning simple tools to help you stay grounded if anything overwhelming comes up. You’ll never be left floating.
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We identify the memories, thoughts, emotions, and body sensations tied to what you’d like to work on. These become the focus for reprocessing.
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This is where we begin the bilateral stimulation, usually through tapping, tones, or eye movements, to help your brain reprocess the memory without reliving it.
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Here, we strengthen the positive beliefs that emerge from the work, like “I’m safe now” or “I am enough,” and integrate them as your new default.
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We check in with your body to see if any tension or residual stress remains. Trauma lives in the body, and we want your whole system to feel the shift.
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We always end with grounding, making sure you feel calm, present, and safe before leaving a session.
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At the start of our next sessions, we’ll revisit your progress, what feels better, what still feels sticky, and where we want to go next. Healing isn’t linear, and that’s okay.
Each phase builds on the last, and we move through them based on your readiness, not a schedule. My priority is that this work feels empowering, not overwhelming.
What Changes After EMDR Therapy
Triggers lose their grip. You’ll notice them, but they won’t own you, you’ll feel safer in your body and with other people. Conflict becomes something you can handle (not avoid or explode from).
And you’ll start to trust more because your nervous system isn’t stuck in survival mode. These changes allow you to reconnect with purpose, creativity, and presence.
You stop living from your trauma—and start living from your truth.
Hey, I’m Michela
People come to me for help with anxiety, burnout, trauma, and relational challenges. I offer in person & online therapy for adults seeking deeper insight, emotional relief, and a more authentic connection to themselves.
Therapy with me is both insight-driven and grounding. We’ll go deep, but at your pace, it will never be overwhelming. I’ve been told by clients and colleagues that working with me feels different: more personal, more intuitive, and often, more effective.
I believe in therapy that not only helps you heal from the past but also empowers you to live more fully in the present.
Before private practice, I worked in community mental health settings, hospitals, and crisis support services in both Los Angeles and New York City. These experiences sharpened my ability to meet people in complex, high-intensity moments and to do it with compassion.
GETTING STARTED with EMDR
It’s totally normal to be nervous before EMDR or another kind of therapy. But different can be good, especially when the old ways haven’t worked.
If you’re feeling pulled toward this work, even a little—I’d love to talk more.
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Fill out the contact form. I will respond to you no matter what, and if I'm not the right fit, I will always provide a referral to someone who can help.
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We will set up a time to have an introductory call over the phone. If we both feel it's a good fit, we can move forward with scheduling your first session.
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During the first three sessions, we will have the opportunity to learn about each other and see if my style of therapy works for you. This is also a time for me to understand your needs and how we can best work together.