You don’t have to keep reliving what happened.
Healing from trauma is possible.
Overwhelming and traumatic experiences affect your mind, brain, and body. Sometimes, healing requires going deeper than talk therapy—and that’s where EMDR can help.
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps your brain process difficult memories in a healthier way so they no longer feel overwhelming.
Instead of staying stuck in the past, EMDR allows you to move forward with greater ease, clarity, and emotional freedom.
Think of it as a way to gently “unstick” experiences your brain hasn’t fully processed.
Is this for you?
EMDR may be a good fit if you:
- Feel stuck in past or recent traumatic experiences
- Experience anxiety, panic, or emotional triggers
- Feel overwhelmed, numb, or disconnected
- Struggle with negative beliefs like “I’m not enough” or “I’m not worthy”
- Have tried talk therapy but still feel something unresolved
How EMDR works
EMDR uses your brain’s natural ability to heal.
Together, we will:
- Identify memories or experiences that feel “stuck”
- Process them in a safe and supported environment
- Use bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or other gentle techniques)
- Help your brain reprocess those experiences
Over time, distressing thoughts like:
“I’m not lovable”
Can shift into:
“I am enough. I am worthy.”
Specialized EMDR approaches
Our practice also offers advanced EMDR protocols, including:
- ASSYST & PRECI protocols for recent trauma or ongoing stress
- Support for caregivers experiencing burnout or chronic stress
- Trauma support related to adoption, autism, PDA, PANS/PANDAS, and more
These approaches allow for faster stabilization and relief, especially when trauma is recent or ongoing.
EMDR Intensives
For those who want deeper, faster healing, we offer EMDR intensives.
What are intensives?
Extended sessions (2+ hours) that allow for deeper processing without interruption.
Ideal for
Recent traumatic events
Individuals wanting faster relief
Caregivers experiencing burnout or chronic stress
Professionals or groups impacted by trauma
Benefits
Faster progress (days or weeks instead of months)
Deeper emotional processing
Fewer interruptions (no stopping at the 50-minute mark)
Lasting results and relief
Example schedules
Weekly: Intake + 2-hour sessions (6–8 weeks)
Short-term: 2-hour sessions daily for 1 week
Intensive: 3-hour sessions over 3–4 days
Group trauma support: 2–3 hour sessions (single-day option)
Trauma we help address
Prolonged (Past) Trauma
Includes experiences that happened over time, such as:
- Childhood trauma
- Bullying
- Abuse or neglect
These experiences may still show up as:
- Anxiety, depression, or triggers
- Difficulty in relationships
- Emotional overwhelm
Ongoing Trauma
Includes situations that are still happening, such as:
- Caregiving stress
- Chronic illness
- Family conflict or instability
In these cases, we focus on:
- Creating safety and stability
- Regulating the nervous system
- Introducing EMDR in a supportive, appropriate way
Benefits of EMDR
- Feel less triggered by past experiences
- Cultivate compassion for yourself and your story
- Improve relationships and connection
- Feel calmer, more grounded, and in control
- Reduce fear, stress, and emotional overwhelm
- Increase focus, clarity, and daily functioning
What to expect
Your therapy journey begins with understanding your story and your goals.
From there, sessions are tailored to your pace. Some clients notice shifts quickly, while others benefit from a longer process depending on their experiences.
EMDR can be provided:
- In person
- Virtually (online in Maryland)
- In weekly sessions or intensives
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes. We use specialized protocols like ASSYST and PRECI designed for these situations.
No. EMDR does not require you to share every detail for healing to occur.
No, both children and adults can benefit from EMDR.
It can feel different at first, but most clients quickly feel comfortable and begin to notice results.
Both are effective. Intensives simply allow for faster, more concentrated progress.
You don’t have to carry this alone.
Healing is possible and it can start today.
CREATIVE COUNSELING CONNECTIONS
Helping individuals and families heal, connect, and grow