Where mind, body, & creativity meet

EMDR Therapy in Massachusetts & Rhode Island

At Coastal Counseling Associates, we offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as part of our holistic, nervous-system-centered approach to healing for children, teens, and adults.

EMDR is an evidence-based therapy designed to help people process and heal from overwhelming experiences, trauma, anxiety, distressing memories, and negative beliefs that may feel “stuck” in the brain and body.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require clients to talk in detail about every part of a painful experience. Instead, it helps the brain naturally reprocess difficult memories so they feel less emotionally overwhelming over time.

Our approach to EMDR is gentle, collaborative, and tailored to each individual client’s pace and readiness.

EMDR Fees

EMDR Intake Appointment (starting November 2026): $350

EMDR Follow Ups (starting November 2026): $280

We do not accept any insurances. We are private pay only. We provide superbills after each visit that you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement if you have out-of-network benefits.

What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy approach that helps the brain process unresolved experiences that continue to impact emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and the nervous system.

During EMDR therapy, clients use bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones, while safely processing distressing memories, emotions, or body sensations with the supportof a specially trained EMDR therapist.

Over time, experiences that once felt highly triggering often begin to feel more manageable, less emotionally intense, and more fully integrated.

EMDR can help clients move from:

“I’m not safe” → “I survived and I am safe now.”
“I’m not good enough” → “I am worthy.”
“It was my fault” → “I did the best I could.”

EMDR May Help With:

Trauma & PTSD
Childhood trauma
Anxiety & panic attacks
OCD
Depression
Grief & loss
Medical trauma
Birth trauma
Relationship trauma
Attachment wounds
Emotional dysregulation
Low self-esteem
Phobias
Performance anxiety
Stress & burnout
Distressing memories
Negative self-beliefs
Nervous system dysregulation

Our Approach to EMDR

Coastal Counseling Associates offers a unique integration of EMDR, expressive arts, somatic therapy, and nervous-system-informed care in a warm, creative environment designed to support healing for both children and adults.EMDR at our practice is integrated with:

Traditional talk therapy
Somatic & nervous system-based work
Mindfulness
Expressive arts
Play therapy techniques (when appropriate)
Attachment-focused care
Grounding & emotional regulation skills

We do not believe in rushing the healing process. Before beginning trauma processing, we focus on building emotional safety, coping tools, nervous system regulation, and a strong therapeutic relationship.

Every EMDR journey looks different because every person’s story is different.

EMDR for Children & Teens

EMDR can be adapted for children and adolescents in developmentally appropriate ways.

For younger clients, EMDR may incorporate:

Play
Art
Storytelling
Movement
Sand tray
Music
Creative expression

Children often process experiences through the body, imagination, and nervous system…not just words. Our holistic approach helps support healing in ways that feel safe and engaging for children and teens.

What does a typical EMDR session look like?

EMDR sessions are collaborative and individualized. Sessions may include:

Identifying goals and target memories
Learning grounding and regulation skills
Exploring emotions, thoughts, and body sensations
Bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sound)
Processing experiences in a safe, supported environment
Strengthening positive beliefs and resilience

Some clients notice changes quickly, while others experience healing gradually over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EMDR only for severe trauma?

No. EMDR can help with both “big T” trauma and smaller “T” experiences that still impact self-esteem, anxiety, relationships, or emotional functioning.

Do I have to talk about everything that happened?

No. EMDR does not require clients to share every detail of an experience in order to heal.

Is EMDR safe?

Yes. EMDR is a well-researched, evidence-based therapy approach created by Dr. Francino Shapiro. Treatment always moves at a pace that feels manageable and supportive for the client.

How long does EMDR take?

Some clients benefit from shorter-term EMDR work focused on a specific experience, while others engage in longer-term therapy depending on their goals, history, and nervous system needs. Below are simply estimates are not exact:

Single-incident trauma (car accident, medical event, isolated traumatic experience):
Often around 6–12 sessions of focused EMDR work.

Anxiety, self-esteem issues, or moderate trauma history:
Often 3–6 months of treatment.
Complex trauma, childhood trauma, attachment wounds, or longstanding emotional patterns: Often 6 months to 1+ year, especially when EMDR is integrated into ongoing therapy.
Children & teens: Often 8-18+ months of treatment.

Can EMDR be combined with other therapies?

Absolutely. EMDR is often integrated with talk therapy, somatic work, expressive arts, and other therapeutic approaches.

EMDR therapy for children teens and adults in medway ma

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Individual Therapy

We utilize evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), strength-based therapy, trauma-focused therapy, play therapy, sand tray therapy, expressive arts therapy, mind-body connection, attachment-based therapy, and nature-based therapy.