ERICA SPARTOS, MA, LMFT
(415) 963-9642
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is an evidence-based therapy originally developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s to treat trauma and PTSD. It is now recognized by the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, and the Department of Veterans Affairs as an effective treatment for trauma, and it is increasingly used for anxiety, phobias, grief, and other experiences that have been difficult to process through talk therapy alone.
The core idea behind EMDR is that distressing experiences can get stuck in the brain in a way that prevents normal processing. When something traumatic happens, the memory can be stored with all its original intensity intact, meaning it continues to feel present and threatening even long after the event is over. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, typically guided eye movements or gentle tapping, to help the brain reprocess these experiences so they lose their emotional charge. You do not need to retell every detail of what happened.
Does EMDR work for anxiety?
Yes. While EMDR was originally developed for trauma and PTSD, research and clinical practice have consistently shown it to be effective for anxiety as well. This makes sense when you consider that anxiety is often rooted in past experiences that taught the nervous system to stay on high alert. EMDR can address those underlying experiences directly, rather than simply managing anxiety symptoms on the surface.
For clients whose anxiety is situational or primarily cognitive, CBT and DBT skills are often the right starting point. For clients whose anxiety feels deeper, older, or disconnected from any obvious cause, EMDR frequently creates movement where other approaches have not. In practice I often combine both, using skills-based work to build stability and EMDR to address the root.
How long does EMDR therapy take?
The honest answer is that it depends on what you are bringing in. For a single recent traumatic event in an otherwise stable life, meaningful resolution can happen in as few as three to twelve sessions. For more complex or longstanding trauma, including childhood trauma, repeated adverse experiences, or trauma layered with other mental health concerns, the process typically takes longer.
Before we begin any EMDR processing, we spend time on preparation. This includes building a trusting therapeutic relationship, developing coping resources, and identifying what we will be working on. This foundation is not optional. It is what makes the processing safe and effective. Most clients begin to notice meaningful shifts within the first few months of consistent work, though the full course of treatment varies from person to person. We will talk honestly about what to expect in your specific situation before we begin.
Why do I feel so lost in my 20s?
Because your 20s are genuinely hard, and nobody tells you that clearly enough beforehand. You are expected to know who you are, what you want, and where you are going, often before you have had enough life experience to answer any of those questions honestly. At the same time you are navigating relationships, finances, career uncertainty, and in many cases the ongoing effects of things that happened earlier in your life.
Feeling lost in your 20s is not a sign that something is wrong with you. It is often a sign that you are paying attention. Therapy can help you slow down enough to figure out what is actually true for you, separate from the pressure of what you think you should want or who you think you should be by now. If you are a young adult in San Francisco or anywhere in California, I offer telehealth sessions that fit around your schedule.
How do I know if I need therapy?
You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many people come to therapy not because everything has fallen apart, but because something feels off and they cannot quite name it. Or because they have been managing something for a long time and are tired of managing it alone. Or because they want to understand themselves better and build a life that feels more like theirs.
Some signs that therapy might help include feeling persistently anxious, overwhelmed, or low without a clear reason. Difficulty in relationships that keeps repeating the same patterns. Reactions that feel out of proportion to the situation. Carrying something from the past that keeps showing up in the present. Feeling stuck in a way that insight and willpower alone haven't shifted.
If you are wondering whether therapy might help, that question itself is usually a good enough reason to find out. I offer a free 30-minute phone consultation so you can get a sense of whether we might be a good fit before committing to anything.