EMDR Therapy in Alaska
Evidence-Based EMDR Therapy for PTSD, Complex Trauma, and Anxiety
Whether you're seeking help after a single traumatic event, living with PTSD or complex trauma, or struggling with anxiety and the lasting effects of chronic stress, EMDR Therapy may help your brain process experiences that continue to feel emotionally overwhelming.
At Trauma Recovery Institute, Dr. Yvette Curtis, PsyD, LPC, MAC provides EMDR Therapy for adults throughout Alaska using a neuroscience-informed, individualized approach. Treatment is tailored to your unique history, goals, and clinical needs. Following your consultation and assessment, recommendations are individualized based on your symptoms, treatment goals, and readiness for EMDR Intensive Therapy.
✓ EMDRIA Approved Consultant • 15+ Years of Clinical Experience • ⭐ 100% Client Recommendation (8 Reviews)
A confidential 30–60 minute consultation to determine the treatment approach that best fits your needs.
Whether you live in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Juneau, Wasilla, the Mat-Su Valley, Kenai, or elsewhere in Alaska, treatment begins with an individualized consultation to determine the approach that best fits your needs.
Quick Answer
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy used to treat PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety related to traumatic experiences, and other trauma-related conditions. It helps the brain process distressing memories so they no longer produce the same emotional and physical reactions. EMDR Therapy is recommended as a first-line treatment for PTSD by multiple international clinical practice guidelines.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps the brain process traumatic and distressing experiences so they no longer trigger the same emotional and physical responses.
Rather than simply talking about difficult memories, EMDR Therapy helps the brain reprocess them, reducing their emotional intensity while allowing the memories themselves to remain.
EMDR is recommended as a first-line treatment for PTSD by major clinical practice guidelines, including the American Psychological Association (APA), the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense (VA/DoD).
Wondering whether EMDR Therapy really works or whether it may be right for you?Explore the research, candidacy considerations, and what treatment is like →
Wondering whether EMDR is right for you? Read the article.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?
EMDR Therapy is used to treat a wide range of trauma-related and stress-related concerns. It may be appropriate for adults experiencing:
✓ Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
✓ Complex trauma (C-PTSD)
✓ Childhood trauma
✓ Anxiety related to traumatic experiences
✓ Panic symptoms
✓ Distressing memories that continue to feel emotionally overwhelming
✓ Grief and loss
✓ Medical trauma
✓ Military-related trauma
✓ First responder trauma
✓ Other trauma-related symptoms that continue to interfere with daily life
Every person's history is unique. During your consultation, we'll determine whether EMDR therapy is an appropriate treatment approach based on your goals, symptoms, and clinical needs.
EMDR Therapy is commonly used to treat PTSD, childhood trauma, anxiety, and other trauma-related conditions. If early life experiences may still be affecting you today, learn more about Childhood Trauma: Why the Past May Still Be Affecting You Today →
How EMDR Therapy Works
EMDR Therapy is based on the understanding that traumatic experiences can sometimes remain incompletely processed by the brain. Although the event may be over, the brain and nervous system can continue responding as though the danger is still present.
During EMDR Therapy, we use a structured, evidence-based approach to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories while you remain grounded in the present. As memories are reprocessed, they often become less emotionally distressing, allowing the brain to recognize that the experience is in the past rather than happening now.
Rather than erasing memories, EMDR Therapy changes the way they are stored and experienced. Many people notice that the memories remain, but they no longer produce the same emotional intensity, physical distress, or automatic survival responses.
Throughout treatment, you'll learn how trauma affects your brain and nervous system, develop evidence-based nervous system regulation skills, and build confidence before and during trauma processing.
Continue learning about What Trauma Does to the Brain: How Trauma Changes the Nervous System
Weekly EMDR Therapy or EMDR Intensive Therapy?
EMDR Therapy can be provided through traditional weekly sessions or through an intensive format over several consecutive days. Both approaches use the same evidence-based EMDR Therapy model. The difference is how treatment is scheduled.
For many people, weekly therapy provides steady progress over time. Others prefer an intensive format because it allows them to remain engaged in the therapeutic process without repeatedly stopping and restarting between sessions.
The most appropriate approach depends on your treatment goals, history, schedule, and clinical needs. During your consultation, we'll discuss which format is likely to be the best fit for your situation.
Some people begin with weekly EMDR Therapy, while others decide an intensive format better fits their schedule, treatment goals, or desire for focused care.
Compare the two approaches:How EMDR Intensive Therapy Differs from Weekly Therapy
My Approach to EMDR Therapy
Every EMDR therapist brings a unique perspective to treatment.
My approach is built on a simple belief:
Healing doesn't begin with reliving trauma. It begins with understanding.
Before we begin processing traumatic memories, we'll first help you understand how trauma has affected your brain and nervous system. Together, we'll build evidence-based regulation skills, practice returning to a calmer state, and develop confidence before beginning trauma processing.
Rather than simply talking about these concepts, you'll experience them. You'll learn how to recognize when your nervous system becomes activated and how to safely return to a more regulated state.
This foundation helps many people feel more prepared, more confident, and better able to engage in the work of processing traumatic memories.
Your Treatment Journey
Understand How Trauma Changed Your Brain & Nervous System
↓
Learn Evidence-Based Regulation Skills
↓
Experience Regulation & Build Confidence
↓
EMDR Therapy Trauma Processing
↓
Return Home with Greater Calm, Flexibility, and Freedom
Why Choose Dr. Curtis?
Choosing an EMDR therapist involves more than finding someone who offers EMDR Therapy. It means finding a clinician with advanced training, extensive trauma experience, and an approach that fits your goals.
Dr. Yvette Curtis specializes in EMDR Therapy for adults experiencing PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety related to traumatic experiences, and other trauma-related conditions. She has provided EMDR Therapy since 2011 and works with individuals seeking evidence-based treatment tailored to their unique history and clinical needs.
Specialized Training & Credentials
✓ EMDRIA Approved Consultant
✓ EMDR Certified Therapist
✓ Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
✓ Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
✓ Master Addiction Counselor (MAC)
✓ Advanced training in EMDR intensive therapy and the Flash Technique
Experience
✓ More than 15 years of clinical experience
✓ PTSD and complex trauma
✓ Individuals who continue to feel stuck despite previous therapy
✓ Military service members and veterans
✓ First responders and healthcare professionals
✓ Alaska Native, Indigenous, and culturally diverse populations
✓ Trauma with co-occurring substance use disorders
Learn more about Dr. Yvette Curtis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EMDR therapy effective?
EMDR is supported by extensive research and is recommended as a first-line treatment for PTSD by multiple international clinical practice guidelines, including the APA, ISTSS, and VA/DoD. During your consultation, we'll determine whether EMDR is appropriate for your specific history and treatment goals.
What conditions can EMDR Therapy help treat?
EMDR is commonly used for PTSD, complex trauma, childhood trauma, anxiety related to traumatic experiences, grief, medical trauma, military trauma, and other trauma-related symptoms.
Do I have to relive my trauma?
No.
EMDR does not require you to describe every detail of a traumatic event. Throughout treatment you'll remain connected to the present while processing memories at a pace that supports healing.
Do you offer EMDR Intensive Therapy?
Yes.
Depending on your treatment goals, history, and schedule, you may benefit from either traditional weekly EMDR Therapy or an EMDR Intensive Therapy completed over several consecutive days.
Learn more about EMDR Intensive Therapy.
How do I know which treatment approach is right for me?
A consultation and assessment help determine the treatment approach that best fits your goals, symptoms, and clinical needs. Together we'll discuss your history and decide whether weekly EMDR Therapy or an intensive format is the better fit.
Look at Dr. Curtis’ calendar for available days to book a consultation.
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to benefit from EMDR Therapy?
No.
Many people seek EMDR Therapy for traumatic experiences, anxiety related to trauma, grief, medical trauma, or distressing memories without meeting the full diagnostic criteria for PTSD. During your consultation, we'll determine whether EMDR Therapy is appropriate based on your symptoms and treatment goals.
Schedule Your Consultation
Whether you're considering an EMDR Intensive Therapy, the first step is simply having a conversation.
During your confidential 30–60 minute consultation, we'll discuss your goals, review what has and hasn't worked in previous treatment, answer your questions, and determine the treatment approach that best fits your needs.
If EMDR Intensive Therapy is the right fit, we'll develop a treatment plan tailored to your situation. If another approach is more appropriate, I'll help you understand your options.
There is no obligation to move forward.
A confidential 30–60 minute consultation designed to help determine the treatment approach that's right for you.
Limited appointment availability each month.
Continue Learning
Many people find these articles helpful while learning about trauma recovery and deciding whether EMDR therapy is the right fit.
• How EMDR Intensive Therapy Differs from Weekly Therapy
• What Trauma Does to the Brain: How Trauma Changes the Nervous System
• How to Calm Your Nervous System After Trauma: 7 Science-Backed Techniques
Serving Clients Throughout Alaska
Dr. Yvette Curtis, PsyD, LPC, MAC with Trauma Recovery Institute provides EMDR Intensive Therapy for adults throughout Alaska, including Fairbanks, Anchorage, Wasilla, Palmer, Eagle River, Juneau, Kenai, Soldotna, and surrounding communities. She specializes exclusively in EMDR, offering focused, neuroscience-informed trauma treatment tailored to your individual history, goals, and clinical needs.
Schedule Your Intensive Therapy Consultation
This consultation is designed for people who have tried therapy and still feel stuck.
In this 30–60 minute consultation, we will:
discuss what has and hasn’t worked in previous therapy
assess whether intensive therapy is appropriate
review treatment structure, timeline, and logistics
determine next steps if we are a good fit
Limited intensive availability. Most clients book 3–6 weeks in advance.
A 30–60 minute confidential consultation to explore whether an EMDR intensive are the right fit.
Limited intensive spots available each month. Most clients book 3–6 weeks in advance.
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