You know it's a problem. So why do you keep doing it?

Potentially, yes. EMDR may be helpful when distressing experiences, emotional associations, beliefs, or triggers are contributing to an addictive or compulsive behavior.

I've spent much of my career working with addiction and co-occurring mental health concerns, and one thing I've learned is that understanding why something happens doesn't automatically mean you can change it.

EMDR gives us another way to approach some of those contributing factors. I also have training in addiction-focused approaches, including DeTUR and the Feeling State Addiction Protocol.

That doesn't mean EMDR is a cure for behavioral addiction or the right treatment for everyone. The research is still developing, and we'll look at your specific situation before deciding how to proceed.

Behavioral addictions and compulsive patterns can involve activities such as gambling, gaming, shopping, sexual behavior, or problematic internet use. But those behaviors don't all have the same clinical definition, and doing something frequently doesn't automatically make it an addiction.

What matters is the pattern, its impact on your life, and what's contributing to it. EMDR may be considered when relevant experiences, triggers, or emotional associations are part of that picture.

We'll talk about what you're experiencing and whether it's within my scope of treatment. If a different approach or additional specialty support would be more appropriate, I'll tell you.

No. And I'm not going to assume that every addictive behavior is the result of trauma.

Sometimes distressing experiences are relevant. Sometimes the behavior is tied to particular emotional states, learned associations, beliefs, or patterns of reinforcement.

Part of the assessment process is figuring out what's actually happening for you, rather than trying to fit your experience into a predetermined explanation.

EMDR may or may not be appropriate depending on what we identify. You don't need a dramatic trauma story to have a legitimate reason to seek help.

Then you've probably already discovered that telling yourself to stop and actually stopping aren't always the same thing.

Maybe you've made rules, set limits, avoided triggers, or managed to change the behavior for a while before finding yourself back in the same cycle.

I'm interested in understanding what happens before the behavior, what it provides in the moment, and what happens afterward. That information can help us figure out where treatment needs to focus.

We're not going to spend every session having the same conversation about why you should stop. You already know why you're here.

Traditional addiction treatment can include approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, skills development, and ongoing support. Those approaches can be incredibly valuable.

EMDR takes a different approach by working with distressing memories, beliefs, and emotional associations through a structured treatment process that includes bilateral stimulation.

Addiction-focused EMDR protocols may also target triggers, urges, and the emotional experiences connected to a behavior.

I don't see this as an either-or situation. EMDR may complement other addiction treatment approaches rather than replace them. What matters is choosing treatment that makes sense for your needs.

Potentially, yes. I offer adjunctive EMDR, which means we can focus on specific treatment goals while you continue working with your existing therapist.

With your permission, I can coordinate with your therapist so we're clear about what we're addressing, how the treatment fits together, and what kind of ongoing support may be helpful.

Not every situation is appropriate for adjunctive work, especially when additional stabilization or more comprehensive addiction treatment is needed.

We'll discuss that before making a plan. I'm not interested in creating a confusing treatment situation with two therapists working in completely different directions.

There isn't one timeline that makes sense for everyone, and I wouldn't want to give you a number just because it sounds reassuring.

Treatment length depends on your history, current symptoms, the complexity of the pattern, your goals, and how you respond to the work.

Some clients may benefit from focused extended sessions or intensives, while others need a more gradual approach with additional preparation or ongoing care.

We'll talk about the options and what makes sense clinically. The goal isn't to rush through treatment or keep you in therapy indefinitely.

We start with a conversation. We'll discuss what you're experiencing, what you've already tried, your current supports, and what you're hoping will be different.

I'll explain how I approach treatment, what EMDR might involve, and whether I think it's an appropriate option.

And if I don't think I'm the right therapist, or that EMDR is the right approach, I'll tell you. I'm happy to discuss other options or referrals when possible.

I'd much rather we figure that out before you invest your time, energy, and money in treatment that isn't the right fit.