EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a type of psychotherapy that has been around since the late 1980's and helps people heal from symptoms that stem from disturbing life experiences, including trauma. It was once thought that years of therapy were needed to assist individuals from recovering from traumatic, and otherwise negative, life experiences. However, we now know that the mind heals in a similar manner as the rest of the body and will quickly start the healing process unless there is some type of blockage. These blockages can sometimes lead to decades of misery and general dissatisfaction in life. EMDR addresses the blockage and promotes mental health, increased self-esteem and healthier life decision making. Clinicians must go through many hours of intense training to learn the processes and protocols which enable them to assist clients with using their own natural healing processes. Rather than relying on one or more insights provided by the therapist, the client comes to their own answers. Many clients report a general feeling of clarity as they approach life challenges more free of emotional baggage that previously side tracked their rational mind. EMDR has been extensively researched and is now recognized as an effective way to treat trauma and other disturbing life experiences by the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association and the Department of Veteran's Affairs..

Typical life experiences healed through EMDR include physical/sexual/emotional abuse and neglect, auto accidents, impact of growing up in a dysfunctional home, abandonment, narcissistic abuse, frightening flying experiences, combat and first responder incidents, divorce, natural disasters, loss of a loved one, bullying, domestic violence, crime, and witnessing traumatic events. It is also being used effectively to treat more commonly seen problems such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and problems that stem from a general feeling of loss of control over an aspect of one's life. EMDR can be effectively provided in Ms. Billian's Marietta. GA office or online through a HIPAA compliant ZOOM session.

Ms. Billian specializes in this type of therapy and as of 2025, offers it to clients through intensive sessions of 3.5 hours. Research shows that EMDR treatment received during an extended session can bring quick relief and healing that otherwise could take many sessions to achieve. Time is saved by not having to check-in at each session and with grounding at the end of each session. Healing is quicker than sessions spread out over many weeks or months, often bringing immediate relief and a quicker return to normal functioning.

She also offers EMDR in collaboration with individual therapists whose clients prefer to add EMDR therapy to traditional therapy with a clinician they have an established relationship with. 

There are many resources for more information. The following are just a few websites and videos which provide information on how EMDR works, research and demonstrations:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKrfH43srg8&ab_channel=VENEMDR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGiqBazdPGw&t=18s&ab_channel=GoodMorningAmerica 
http://www.emdria.org/ and http://www.emdr.com