Some experiences stay active long after the danger has passed. A sound, conversation, place, or feeling can bring back fear, tension, shame, anger, or the sense that you need to protect yourself. You may understand logically that the event is over while your body continues to react as if it is happening now.
EMDR may help people process distressing memories so those experiences feel less immediate and have less control over daily life.
Request an AppointmentSubmit a secure request in approximately three minutes. Our office will contact you to discuss availability, insurance, therapist fit, and whether EMDR may be appropriate.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, commonly called EMDR, is a structured therapy approach developed to help the brain process memories that remain emotionally distressing.
During EMDR, you briefly focus on parts of a difficult memory while engaging in guided bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements or alternating taps. You remain awake, aware, and in control. You do not have to describe every detail of an experience for the work to be meaningful.
Osman Ali Baar, MS, LPCC, has completed Part One of EMDR basic training and is continuing the full training process, including the remaining instruction, practice, and consultation requirements.
He does not represent himself as EMDRIA Certified. EMDR is considered only when it fits the client’s needs, readiness, treatment goals, and Osman’s current training and consultation scope.
Intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance, numbness, irritability, shame, or always feeling on guard.
Early experiences involving neglect, abuse, instability, loss, violence, displacement, or repeated experiences of feeling unsafe.
Accidents, medical experiences, grief, relationship harm, bullying, migration, or other events that continue to affect the present.
Deeply held beliefs such as “I am not safe,” “I am powerless,” or “I am not good enough” that became connected to past experiences.
EMDR is not appropriate for every concern or every stage of treatment. Therapy may begin with stabilization, emotional-regulation skills, safety planning, and building a trusting relationship before trauma processing is considered.
Osman has clinical experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults affected by childhood trauma. He understands that early trauma can appear in many ways, including anxiety, depression, anger, emotional shutdown, difficulty trusting people, problems at school, relationship patterns, low self-worth, and strong physical reactions to stress.
His approach is calm, practical, culturally responsive, and sensitive to the ways family, faith, migration, identity, and community experiences may shape how trauma is understood. For younger clients, he considers developmental level, emotional regulation, caregiver involvement, and whether the child has enough stability and support for trauma-focused work.
Before beginning EMDR processing, you and Osman will discuss your history, current concerns, goals, coping resources, and readiness. You will learn grounding and emotional-regulation strategies and can ask questions throughout the process. You may pause or stop at any time.
EMDR may be combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, DBT skills, person-centered therapy, and trauma-informed care. The plan is individualized rather than based on a single method.
Appointments are available in person in Moorhead and by secure telehealth for eligible clients located in Minnesota or North Dakota.
Request an AppointmentSubmitting the form is an appointment request, not a confirmed appointment. Our office will contact you to discuss the next step.