EMDR therapy at Catalyst Counseling is for individuals who are living with the lasting effects of trauma, whether or not they have always labeled it that way. Our clients include first responders, veterans, survivors of childhood trauma or abuse, individuals with PTSD following a single significant event, professionals experiencing anxiety or burnout rooted in past experiences, and people who have tried traditional talk therapy and found that something still feels stuck. We serve clients across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and the greater DC area. If you know intellectually that the past is behind you but your nervous system has not caught up, EMDR may be the right fit.
Catalyst Counseling provides EMDR therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, childhood and developmental trauma, single-incident trauma such as accidents, medical events, or assault, first responder and occupational trauma, anxiety and panic rooted in past experiences, phobias and fears, grief and traumatic loss, and chronic shame or negative core beliefs that have not shifted with talk therapy alone.
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is one of the most thoroughly researched trauma treatments available. It is endorsed by the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. At Catalyst, we use EMDR not as a standalone technique but as part of a carefully structured treatment plan tailored to each client. Before any trauma processing begins, your therapist will invest significant time in preparation, building the stability and internal resources you need to engage the work safely. We do not rush the process. We trust it because the research supports it and because we have seen it change lives.
EMDR therapy looks different from traditional talk therapy. Sessions are structured around a specific protocol that guides you through identifying target memories, understanding the beliefs connected to them, and processing those memories in a way that reduces their emotional charge. Many clients describe feeling lighter after sessions, as though something they have been carrying has finally been set down. The number of sessions needed varies depending on your history and treatment goals. Some clients see significant shifts in a focused number of sessions, others benefit from longer-term support. Catalyst also offers EMDR Intensives for those who want to accelerate the process. We offer evening appointments, telehealth, and accept most major insurance plans.
