TRAUMA & EMDR THERAPY IN FRESNO
You know it’s over. It still doesn’t feel that way.
An experience can be in the past and still affect how you feel, react, sleep, or connect with other people.
I’m Chad Pickens, LMFT. I offer trauma therapy and EMDR in Fresno, with telehealth available throughout California. We’ll start with what’s happening now, talk through your options, and work at a pace that respects your readiness.
UNDERSTANDING THE APPROACH
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a structured therapy approach for working through distressing memories and the thoughts, emotions, and physical reactions connected to them.
During memory processing, you focus briefly on a memory while following guided eye movements, taps, or sounds that alternate from side to side. The goal is to reduce how distressing the memory feels and how strongly reminders affect you now.
We start by understanding what brings you here and building coping skills. Together, we’ll decide whether EMDR fits your needs and when to begin memory processing.
WHAT BRINGS YOU HERE
What we can work on.
Trauma and PTSD can affect your sleep, sense of safety, relationships, and how you react. We’ll look at what’s still affecting you and decide together how to work on it.
DISTRESSING MEMORIES
An accident, frightening medical experience, violence, abuse, or witnessing harm may still feel upsetting when you remember it.
PATTERNS FROM THE PAST
Earlier experiences may still affect how you see yourself, trust other people, set boundaries, or respond in relationships.
REACTIONS THAT KEEP SHOWING UP
You may feel on edge, shut down, avoid reminders, struggle with sleep, or react more strongly than you want to.
WHAT TO EXPECT
We start with what you need.
We’ll talk about what brings you here, what you want to change, and whether EMDR fits your needs. We start with coping skills and preparation before memory processing. You can ask questions, request a break, or tell me when the pace needs to change.
I offer in-person therapy in Fresno and telehealth throughout California. Send a brief message to ask about fit, availability, fees, or insurance. It comes directly to me, and I usually respond within two business days.