How do I know if Lisa Chen & Associates is the right fit for me?

We offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation. It's a chance to get to know us, understand our approach, and see if we align with your needs. The purpose of an initial consultation is to determine if you are a good fit for working together. You can expect a 15–20 minute conversation where you will have the opportunity to share your concerns, goals, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. This is also a chance for you to ask questions and get a sense of the therapist's approach and personality.

Our fees range from $180 to $350 per 50-minute session based on the clinician's experience, specialized training, and services provided. Lisa Chen's fees are $350 per 50-minute session for both individual and couples counseling. Licensed Client Session fees are $200 for individual and $225 for couples counseling per 50-minute session. Associate Clinician fees are $180 for individual and $200 for couples counseling per 50-minute session. We also reserve spots for clients requesting a sliding-scale rate to accommodate financial needs.

Do you accept insurance?

Lisa Chen & Associates are out-of-network providers. We provide monthly insurance statements ('Superbills') for you to seek partial reimbursement from your insurance company according to your policy. For questions about your out-of-network benefits, please contact your insurance carrier before scheduling.

What is your cancellation policy?

Weekly clients are allowed 3 free cancellations every 6 months, and bi-weekly clients are allowed 2 free cancellations every 6 months, beginning from the date of your first session. You will be responsible for payment for your normally scheduled session time for all cancelled appointments beyond this. Please provide at least 48 hours' notice for cancellations. You may always choose to reschedule and/or take sessions virtually to accommodate occasional scheduling conflicts.

How often should I expect to meet?

We recommend weekly therapy sessions for optimal progress. However, there are times when clients prefer to meet twice a week for more complex challenges. During your initial phone consultation, let us know if you are interested in more frequent sessions.

Are you offering in-person sessions?

Yes, we are seeing clients in our South Bay office located at 2615 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 326, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. We also offer telehealth sessions for California residents.

How do I get started with counseling?

The first step is to schedule an initial consultation by calling our office or submitting the contact form on our website. This allows us to understand your needs and match you with the best therapist for your situation. From there, we'll work with you to schedule ongoing sessions.

What EMDR Really Feels Like: An Inside Look From an EMDR Therapist in Hermosa Beach

What EMDR Really Feels Like
An Inside Look From an EMDR Therapist in Hermosa Beach

Quick Summary:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) isn’t just for trauma—it’s a powerful, body-and-brain-based therapy that helps you rewire stuck patterns and find lasting relief. At Lisa Chen & Associates Therapy in Hermosa Beach, we specialize in EMDR for high-achieving individuals, professionals, and those who feel “stuck” despite insight. This blog breaks down exactly what EMDR feels like—from the first session to the breakthrough moments—and why so many clients say it feels like “a deep reset.”

EMDR is one of those therapies many people have heard of—but few truly understand until they experience it.

If you're a client curious about what EMDR feels like, or a therapist or psychiatrist referring clients, this guide offers a clear, grounded explanation.

At Lisa Chen & Associates Therapy, we offer EMDR that is tailored, paced, and trauma-informed. Whether you're navigating complex trauma or unresolved emotional pain, EMDR can help your nervous system process what’s been stuck—without needing to relive it.

What Is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a structured therapy that uses bilateral stimulation—like eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones—while recalling a distressing memory.

This process helps the brain reprocess stored trauma, reduce emotional intensity, and rewire beliefs and responses.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR works directly with the nervous system. It helps you feel the memory without being overwhelmed by it.

Why It Works:
EMDR activates both brain hemispheres, allowing the memory to “unfreeze” and integrate more adaptively. According to the APA, World Health Organization, and VA, EMDR is one of the most effective trauma therapies available.

What Does EMDR Actually Feel Like?

If you’re considering EMDR, you’ve likely heard words like “processing,” “bilateral stimulation,” or even “trauma release.” But what does it actually feel like—moment to moment?

As an EMDR therapist in Hermosa Beach who has guided hundreds of clients through this process, I can tell you: EMDR feels different from talk therapy. It’s less about analyzing and more about experiencing—like allowing your mind and body to finally finish what they never got to complete during a difficult experience.

What Happens During an EMDR Session?

Session 1–2: Preparation & Safety

You won’t jump into processing trauma right away. The first few sessions are focused on:

Building safety and trust with your therapist
Identifying the parts of you that feel overwhelmed vs. calm
Learning simple nervous system regulation tools

"Clients often tell me, ‘This feels surprisingly gentle.’ They expect something intense, but EMDR is all about working with your system, not forcing it."

1. Preparation: Safety and Stabilization

Before we touch any trauma, we help your nervous system feel safe and steady. This phase often includes:

Understanding your history and current symptoms
Teaching tools for self-regulation and grounding
Identifying calming resources like “safe place” imagery
Explaining the EMDR process clearly and collaboratively

“Many clients come in ready to jump into trauma work, but lasting healing happens when we honor your body’s pace. That can take time—and it’s worth it.”

— Lisa Chen, LMFT, EMDR Therapist

Some clients spend several sessions here, especially if they’ve experienced complex trauma or chronic anxiety.

2. Identifying the Right Targets

Once we’ve built a foundation of safety, we work together to identify memories or themes that feel emotionally charged. These may include:

Childhood trauma or emotional neglect
Medical or relational trauma
Seemingly minor events that trigger outsized reactions

We also explore the negative beliefs associated with those memories—like “I’m not safe,” “It was my fault,” or “I’m not good enough.”

3. Desensitization and Reprocessing

This is where the memory work begins. You’ll be guided to:

Gently bring a memory to mind
Notice thoughts, emotions, or body sensations
Follow the bilateral stimulation rhythm

You’re not reliving trauma. You remain grounded and in control. The memory moves through your system without getting stuck again.

Clients often report:

The memory feels less vivid or intense
New perspectives or insights emerge
Body tension releases or shifts

4. Installation and Closure

Once the distress level drops, we help install a new, adaptive belief—such as “I’m safe now” or “I did the best I could.”

We end with grounding, body scans, and nervous system regulation, so you leave the session feeling supported and calm.

EMDR Is Not One-Size-Fits-All

At Lisa Chen & Associates, we personalize EMDR to each client’s needs. This includes:

Slowing or pausing as needed
Integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) to support protective parts
Incorporating somatic and relational work for complex trauma

“EMDR doesn’t erase your history. It helps your body realize that the danger is over. You can carry the memory without carrying the pain.”

— Lisa Chen, LMFT, EMDR Therapist

Is EMDR Right for You?’

If you’ve done talk therapy but still feel stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed—you’re not broken. Your nervous system may be holding trauma that EMDR can help release.

📞 Book a free consultation to explore whether EMDR is a fit for you.

For Providers: Refer Clients with Confidence
We work with referring therapists, psychiatrists, and medical providers across California. Our approach is collaborative, transparent, and designed to complement your ongoing care.

We offer in-person EMDR in Hermosa Beach and virtual EMDR across California.

Lisa Chen & Associates: Premium EMDR therapy for professionals.

Quick Summary: What to Expect from EMDR Therapy at Lisa Chen & Associates

If you’ve heard of EMDR but don’t quite understand what it feels like in session, this trauma-informed guide breaks it down clearly—for both clients and referring providers. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, neuroscience-backed therapy that helps people heal from trauma and unresolved emotional pain. At Lisa Chen & Associates, we specialize in tailored, client-centered EMDR for high-functioning professionals and trauma survivors. This article explains how EMDR works, what you’ll experience in the room, and why it’s so effective.

Related service: EMDR Therapy in Hermosa Beach
External resource: EMDR Overview – EMDRIA

FAQs

What is EMDR and how does it work?
EMDR is a structured therapy that helps process trauma by using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or tones) to reduce emotional intensity and rewire distressing memories.

How many sessions of EMDR will I need?
Every client is different. Some people do focused work in a few sessions, while others need longer-term support—especially with complex trauma. We tailor EMDR to your pace.

Is EMDR safe for everyone?
EMDR is generally safe when delivered by a trauma-informed clinician. At Lisa Chen & Associates, we assess each client’s readiness and adjust the process to support safety and healing.