EMDR and OCD: A Compassionate, Whole-Person Approach to Healing
At BrainBody OCD Counseling, we often hear from clients who’ve tried everything but still feel stuck in obsessive loops. If you’ve searched for OCD clinics near me or online OCD therapy, you may be looking for something deeper than symptom management—something that gets to the root.
That’s where EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can help.
What Is EMDR and How Can It Help with OCD?
Traditionally, OCD is treated with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which helps individuals face fears without giving in to compulsions. While ERP is highly effective, some people find their progress blocked by unresolved trauma or chronic emotional stress—especially those also managing OCD and depression.
EMDR helps identify and reprocess the underlying emotional memories or beliefs that may be amplifying OCD symptoms. This might include experiences of emotional neglect, shame, or past events where the brain learned that certain thoughts or feelings were dangerous.
EMDR is not a replacement for ERP—but in the hands of an experienced therapist, it’s a powerful complement that can help you break free from deeply rooted fears.
One of our favorite OCD quotes to remember is:
“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn
Why We Combine ERP with EMDR at BrainBody
We’ve seen that treating OCD isn’t just about thoughts—it’s about the nervous system. EMDR supports the emotional and physiological parts of the healing process. That’s why many of our clients who’ve felt frustrated by previous therapy are finally finding relief with this integrated approach.
We also understand that support is essential. Alongside therapy, we help connect you to OCD support groups near you, and we provide online OCD therapy for clients across Arizona. Whether in person in North Scottsdale or via telehealth, you’ll receive care that’s compassionate, personalized, and grounded in evidence.
If you’ve been looking for OCD therapists near me who take your full experience into account—we’re here, and we’d be honored to walk alongside you.
💬 Book a free 10-minute consult to explore if EMDR and ERP are right for you.
📍Serving North Scottsdale and all of Arizona (in-person and online)
References
Abramowitz, J. S., Taylor, S., & McKay, D. (2009). Exposure and Response Prevention for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Review and New Directions. Behavior Modification, 33(2), 163–176.
Bae, H., Kim, D., & Park, Y. C. (2008). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A case series. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 22(3), 601–609.
World Health Organization (2013). Guidelines for the management of conditions specifically related to stress.
Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures. Guilford Press.
