EMDR Therapy in Edina

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy designed to help the brain reprocess traumatic or distressing experiences that remain “stuck” in the nervous system.

When overwhelming events occur, the brain’s natural healing processes can be interrupted. Memories may become stored in a raw, emotionally charged way which can lead to unwanted symptoms such as anxiety, intrusive thoughts, emotional numbing, hypervigilance, or feeling triggered to reminders of the past.

Through guided bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or gentle tapping, EMDR helps the brain reconnect memory networks so that these experiences can be integrated more completely. Over time, distressing memories lose their emotional intensity and become easier to recall without anxiety, fear, or shame.

EMDR has been well researched to help with…

• Single-incident trauma.
• Complex or developmental trauma.
• Anxiety and panic symptoms.
• Distressing memories or nightmares
• Negative self-beliefs.
• Performance fears.
• Large responses to stress.

EMDR and Expressive Therapies with Teens and Adults

EMDR integrated with expressive therapies such as art and sandtray offers a compassionate, body-aware approach to trauma healing. Rather than relying solely on words, this method honors how experiences are stored in the brain and nervous system. Through creativity, imagery, and bilateral stimulation, clients can safely process distressing memories at their own pace, building regulation, resilience, and a renewed sense of control. This approach is especially supportive for those who feel overwhelmed, shut down, or unsure how to talk about what they’ve been through.

EMDR with Kids

When EMDR is thoughtfully integrated with play therapy, healing happens in developmentally appropriate ways. Play, art, movement, sandtray, and imagination are used to help children express and organize their experiences, while gentle bilateral stimulation is introduced in ways that feel safe, playful, and child-led. The work is paced carefully, allowing children to remain in control as their brain and body learn that the danger has passed.

This integrative approach supports children in making sense of difficult experiences, reducing distress, and reconnecting with their natural resilience so the “yucky” memories begin to feel smaller, safer, and farther away.

Learn more about EMDR For All Ages at The Quest Blog.

EMDR Intensives

For clients seeking deeper, more focused healing, EMDR Intensives offer extended sessions designed to support meaningful progress in a shorter period of time. These longer sessions provide spacious, uninterrupted time to fully engage the mind and nervous system, ideal for processing specific traumatic events, long-standing emotional patterns, or periods of life that feel “stuck.” EMDR Intensives move at your pace, with built-in grounding, rest, and integration so the work feels safe and supported. Whether used as a standalone experience or in combination with ongoing therapy, intensives create an immersive, transformative space for deeper healing.

Eric Norton, MA, LMFT, RPT is an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist with advanced training using standard and advanced EMDR protocols for complex trauma, attachment wounds, and using expressive arts therapy in connection to EMDR therapy. Eric is licensed in Minnesota and provides telehealth and in-person appointments in Edina, MN.