EMDR Therapy 

EMDR Therapy in Beaverton, Oregon & Online in Oregon and Washington


I’m Ruth Hescock, LPC, a Licensed Professional Counselor trained in EMDR therapy, providing trauma-informed care for adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, chronic stress, and long-standing emotional patterns. I offer in-person EMDR therapy in Beaverton, Oregon, and online EMDR therapy for adults in Oregon and Washington. EMDR is an evidence-based therapy that helps your brain process unresolved experiences so they no longer trigger overwhelming emotions, negative beliefs, or nervous-system distress. Many clients find EMDR effective when talk therapy alone hasn’t led to lasting change.

Sunlight streaming through tall trees in a forest, casting long shadows on the ground.

What is EMDR?

About Me

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is an evidenced based intervention developed by Francine Shapiro. It uses bilateral stimulation to reprocess disturbing or traumatic memories and beliefs. We cannot erase the past, but EMDR allows us to reprocess past memories so they are no longer negatively impacting the present. EMDR therapy is a structured, research-supported approach that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories and experiences.

When experiences are not fully processed, they can continue to affect your thoughts, emotions, and reactions in the present. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or tones) while briefly focusing on aspects of a memory, allowing the nervous system to naturally move toward resolution.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require detailed retelling or analysis of past events.

Recommended Reading: Getting Past Your Past - Francine Shapiro, PhD

Close-up of tree bark with textured, cracked, and peeling surface.
A girl sitting on a bench overlooking a sunset over hills.

How do I know if EMDR is right for me?

EMDR therapy may be a good fit if you:

  • Feel stuck, anxious or depressed despite insight or prior therapy

  • Easily overwhelmed by emotions or life stressors

  • Experience emotional reactions that feel out of proportion

  • Negative beliefs about yourself keep you from living a fulfilling life and reaching your full potential

  • Want change without repeatedly retelling your story

  • Struggle with patterns rooted in past experiences

  • Are ready for deeper, nervous-system-level healing

EMDR can be used for many different issues:

Though EMDR is known as an effective trauma intervention, it can also be used for issues related to professional development and chronic pain.  Whether or not you identify as having experienced trauma, unpleasant symptoms may be keeping you from enjoying and engaging in life.  EMDR can help!

EMDR is also an effective treatment for the following:

* Anxiety

* People-Pleasing and Perfectionism

* Phobias

* Grief

* Panic Attacks

* Sports Performance Anxiety

How EMDR Therapy Can Support Professional Development

Are negative beliefs preventing you from reaching your full potential?  EMDR can be helpful with the following issues related to professional development:

* Fear of Public Speaking

* Fear of Failure

* Work Performance Anxiety 

* Social Anxiety

* Increasing Confidence

* Building Self-Esteem

* Managing Work-Related Stress

* Improving Productivity and Performance

A woman with curly hair sitting in a gray armchair, smiling, with a MacBook on her lap, in an office setting with glass walls and a table with chairs in the background.
Close-up of dark brown wooden planks with visible grain and knots.
Learn more About Professional Burnout
A person wearing a gray knit hat and winter coat with a fur-lined hood standing in a wooded area with sunlight filtering through trees.

EMDR and Chronic Pain

EMDR can be used to help with pain management by addressing negative beliefs and emotions that are associated with the pain.  These are some of the issues associated with chronic pain that may be treated with EMDR:

* Low Self-Esteem

* Depression

* Fear and Anxiety Related to Anticipated Pain

* Recovering from Invalidation 

* Fear 

* Grief and Loss

EMDR and Trauma

EMDR is an effective treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  The following are just a few examples of issues related to trauma that may be treated with EMDR:

* Military Related Trauma

* Sexual Assault

* Childhood Sexual Abuse

* Auto Accidents

* First Responder Related Trauma

* Sudden Loss

* Medical Trauma

Close-up of a weathered, cracked tree trunk cross-section showing growth rings.
A person with shoulder-length hair sitting on a rocky ledge, overlooking a mountainous landscape during sunset.

Learn How EMDR Works!

Check out this video: The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) explains the neuroscience of how trauma affects the brain and how the EMDR works to reprocess that trauma.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and apply.

Schedule a Free Consultation

  • Yes. EMDR therapy is effective for many people with anxiety, especially when anxiety is linked to past experiences or ongoing nervous-system activation. EMDR works by addressing the underlying roots of anxiety rather than only managing symptoms.

  • No. EMDR therapy does not require detailed retelling or reliving of traumatic events. The process is structured to be contained and paced, allowing your brain to process experiences without overwhelming discussion or emotional flooding.

  • EMDR therapy focuses on how the brain processes information rather than analyzing experiences through conversation alone. Many clients choose EMDR when they have insight into their challenges but still feel emotionally stuck or reactive.

  • EMDR sessions are typically calm, focused, and structured. While emotions may come up, clients remain present and in control throughout the session. Many people report a decrease in emotional intensity and greater clarity over time.

  • Yes. Research and clinical experience support the effectiveness of online EMDR therapy. I provide secure online EMDR therapy for adults living in Oregon and Washington, using approaches adapted for telehealth.

  • EMDR therapy may be a good fit if you feel stuck despite previous therapy, experience emotional reactions that feel disproportionate, struggle with long-standing patterns, or want a therapy approach that works at a nervous-system level.

  • The length of EMDR therapy varies depending on your goals, history, and the complexity of experiences being addressed. Some clients notice changes in a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term work. EMDR is always tailored to your pace and readiness.

  • Yes. I offer in-person EMDR therapy in Beaverton, Oregon, as well as online EMDR therapy for adults in Oregon and Washington.

  • EMDR sessions typically last from 50-80 minutes; this is dependent on the client's needs and current phase of treatment.

  • Ruth Hescock LPC at Inner Insight Counseling provides in-person EMDR sessions. Her office is conveniently located right off Hwy 26, close to Nike, Intel and Columbia.

  • Online EMDR therapy is effective and widely used. I offer secure teletherapy EMDR sessions for adults located in Oregon and Washington.

    Online EMDR can be a good fit if you:

    • Prefer therapy from home

    • Live outside the Beaverton area

    • Have a busy schedule

    • Feel more comfortable in a familiar environment

    I also provide in-person EMDR therapy in Beaverton, Oregon for clients who prefer face-to-face sessions.

    Both online and in-person EMDR therapy follow the same evidence-based framework.

  • If you’re seeking in-person EMDR therapy in Beaverton, Oregon, or online EMDR therapy in Oregon or Washington, I invite you to reach out to Ruth Hescock LPC, to schedule a free consultation.