4 Best San Diego EMDR Therapists
If you're struggling with trauma, PTSD, or painful memories that feel stuck in your body, you’re not alone, and therapy can help.
EMDR therapy in particular can be especially transformative, but finding the right therapist for your unique situation is key.
At Healing Balance Therapy, we specialize in trauma recovery and understand that healing requires both clinical expertise and a safe, supportive therapeutic relationship.
Here, we introduce you to expert EMDR clinicians in San Diego—including our own specialists—who combine years of specialized training with a deep commitment to helping you heal.
Meet the therapists
Best for EMDR for binge eating disorder: Amber Monroe, LMFT
Best for treating eating disorders with EMDR: Christine Alvarenga, LPCC
Best for EMDR for body image shame: Vivianne Noetzel, LCSW
Best for treating addiction with EMDR: Sarah Zucker
Why trust us?
Our clinicians are specifically trained in EMDR and other evidence-based trauma treatments, with advanced expertise in multiple therapeutic modalities including Internal Family Systems (IFS) and somatic approaches. We combine clinical excellence with deep compassion, understanding that effective trauma treatment requires both specialized skills and a genuine therapeutic relationship that feels safe, collaborative, and authentic. All of our therapists have also completed their own intensive healing work, bringing personal insight to their professional expertise.
How we selected
We carefully selected therapists—including our own clinicians—who have specialized EMDR training and certification, have extensive experience treating trauma and related conditions, and work with diverse populations. Our goal is to connect you with an expert trauma specialist who can address your specific needs with skill and compassion.
Meet the therapists
Amber Monroe, LMFT
Best for EMDR for binge eating disorder
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Adults with complex trauma and PTSD in addition to binge eating | Children |
| Integrating EMDR with IFS and other trauma modalities | Medication management |
| In-person sessions | EMDR intensives |
Offers EMDR ✓
Clientele: Adults
Location: La Mesa, CA
Virtual therapy?: Yes
Amber integrates EMDR with Internal Family Systems and somatic approaches, believing that trauma lives in the body and requires comprehensive healing. With over 15 years of experience across diverse mental health settings, she creates safety for clients to process traumatic memories and build resilience.
Christine Alvarenga, LPCC
Best for treating eating disorders with EMDR
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Adults struggling with disordered eating | Children |
| Those who experience dissociation | Medication management |
| In-person sessions | EMDR intensives |
Offers EMDR ✓
Clientele: Adults
Location: La Mesa, CA
Virtual therapy?: Yes
Christine is an EMDR-certified therapist and consultant-in-training with specialized expertise in attachment trauma and dissociation. She integrates EMDR with her extensive eating disorder treatment background, using advanced methods like the Flash Technique to help clients process distressing memories while maintaining stability.
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Neurodivergent teens and adults | Young children |
| Those seeking holistic, mind-body approaches to healing | Those seeking formal neuropsychological testing |
| In-person sessions | Those seeking medication management |
Vivianne Noetzel, LCSW
Best for EMDR for body image shame
Offers EMDR ✓
Clientele: Teens & adults
Location: La Mesa, CA
Virtual therapy?: Yes
Vivianne specializes in supporting neurodivergent clients with eating disorders and trauma. She uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and somatic practices tailored to different neurotypes, helping clients develop executive functioning skills, emotional regulation strategies, and healthier relationships with food while honoring their unique neurodivergent strengths and needs.
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Teens & adults | Young children |
| People seeking substance abuse treatment | Those seeking in-person sessions |
| In-person sessions | EMDR intensives |
Sarah Zucker
Best for treating addiction with EMDR
Offers EMDR ✓
Clientele: Teens & adults
Location: San Diego, CA
Virtual therapy?: Yes
Sarah is an EMDR therapist who specializes in addiction recovery. Her practice is also open to those who have been impacted by a loved one’s substance use. She combines EMDR with other trauma-focused modalities, such as Prolonged Exposure (PE), and addiction recovery approaches like 12-Step and SMART.
FAQs about EMDR therapy
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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) uses bilateral stimulation to help your brain process traumatic memories that feel "stuck." Through guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation techniques, EMDR helps reduce the emotional charge of difficult memories, allowing natural healing to occur.
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EMDR can help if you experience flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, or feel triggered by certain situations. It's effective for PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, and other conditions rooted in difficult life experiences. A free consultation can help determine if EMDR is right for you.
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Research shows that EMDR effectively treats PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, codependency, and relationship challenges. It can help with single traumatic incidents or ongoing patterns of difficult experiences that continue to impact your daily life and relationships.
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EMDR follows an eight-phase protocol beginning with history-taking and preparation. You'll learn coping skills before beginning to process traumatic memories through bilateral stimulation. Sessions are carefully paced to ensure safety and stability. Many clients experience significant relief within several sessions, though exact timing and results can vary.
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We're likely a good match if you value therapists who've done their own healing work, appreciate integrative approaches combining EMDR with other modalities, and want trauma specialists with extensive experience. We prioritize safety, ethics, and helping you leave each session with greater awareness and less self-blame.
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Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your needs and goals. We'll help match you with the right therapist and answer any questions about EMDR. If you decide to move forward, we’ll get you set up with an initial appointment.