EMDR
Some negative experiences or habits can stay with children and teens in ways that feel overwhelming, confusing, or impossible to move past on their own. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps the brain process those experiences in a safe and supported way.
EMDR is one of the many tools we use during therapy. For children and teens experiencing anxiety, depression, or trauma, EMDR can help them feel more regulated and better able to navigate their daily lives.
When EMDR Can Help
EMDR may be helpful when experiences or emotional patterns overwhelm everyday life. It can support children and teens experiencing:
Anxiety, panic, or overwhelming emotional reactions
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Traumatic or distressing memories
Depression
Grief or complicated loss
Phobias and intense fears
Negative beliefs or self-harm
Abuse or neglect
Substance abuse or eating disorders
Our Focus
EMDR helps the brain process negative experiences or emotions so they no longer feel as overwhelming in the present.
How EMDR Works at Our Practice
EMDR is an evidence-based practice that has been around for a long time. It helps the brain reprocess distressing memories and emotions using bilateral stimulation — such as guided eye movements or tapping — which gently engages both sides of the brain. This process is thought to support the brain’s natural way of organizing and processing experiences, similar to what happens during REM sleep, when the mind is actively working through emotional material.
Rather than relying solely only on talking through negative thoughts and experiences, EMDR supports the brain in changing how those memories are stored, so they feel less intense and more manageable over time.
In our practice, EMDR is always paced carefully and integrated into a broader treatment plan. For children and teens, it is adapted in developmentally appropriate ways and often combined with other therapeutic approaches. Because EMDR often involves working with painful experiences or overwhelming feelings, we also work closely with parents and caregivers to ensure families feel supported throughout the process.
Looking for EMDR Therapy for Children or Teens in Maryland?
EMDR therapy can help children and adolescents process distressing experiences, reduce anxiety or emotional overwhelm, and feel safer and more regulated in daily life. If you’re wondering whether EMDR may be appropriate for your child, we’d love to talk.