frequently asked questions

Traditional talk therapy often focuses on insight, reflection, and understanding. EMDR works more directly with how experiences are held in the nervous system.

In our work together, understanding and meaning still matter — but healing doesn’t rely on insight alone. EMDR supports the nervous system’s natural capacity to process and integrate experiences so that change can be felt, not just understood.

No. Many people come to EMDR without a clear story or timeline of what’s causing their distress. A sense that something feels unresolved — emotionally, relationally, or in the body — is enough.

EMDR often helps clarify the roots of patterns as the work unfolds, rather than requiring that understanding upfront.

EMDR does not have to be overwhelming to be effective.

My work is polyvagal-informed and parts-aware, with close attention to safety, regulation, and pacing. We move into processing only when there’s enough steadiness and support in place, and the process is continually adjusted based on your nervous system’s response.

Many people find EMDR to be grounding and relieving rather than intense.

That’s very common — and completely okay.

You don’t need a clear goal or focus to begin. Part of the work may involve clarifying what’s asking for attention, especially when experiences are held more in the body than in words.

Grief is a natural, human response to loss — not something to fix or pathologize.

At the same time, the impact or circumstances of a loss can sometimes overwhelm the nervous system, making it difficult for grief to move through fully. In those cases, EMDR can support integration and settling, while honoring the meaning of what has been lost.

Incorporating parts work means recognizing that different aspects of you may hold different experiences, emotions, or needs — especially around trauma, grief, or longstanding patterns. Rather than trying to override or “fix” these parts, we work in a way that helps them feel acknowledged and included.

Nervous system–informed work means paying close attention to cues of safety, regulation, and capacity throughout the process. Together, these approaches support healing that is paced, respectful, and integrative — allowing experiences to be processed without overwhelm and with greater steadiness.

This work doesn’t require you to understand or manage these concepts yourself. My role is to track and support the process so it can unfold in a way that feels contained and responsive.

Doing EMDR through Telehealth can be just as effective as doing EMDR in-person. However, for telehealth to be effective, a strong internet connection and a device with a sufficiently large screen (such as a computer or tablet) are important.

The nature of the sessions will be the same as they would be in-person, and with Telehealth EMDR we just get creative with how to facilitate the processing when we get to that phase of therapy.

I offer weekly or biweekly EMDR Telehealth sessions for clients located in Vermont. In-person sessions are available in White River Junction, Vermont, and are open to clients traveling from outside the area.

There’s no single timeline for EMDR therapy. How long the work takes depends on many factors — including what you’re wanting support with, how your nervous system responds to processing, and the pace that feels both safe and effective for you.

Some people engage in EMDR over a period of months as part of ongoing therapy, allowing integration to unfold gradually within a steady relational container. Others find that certain experiences resolve more efficiently once the right conditions are in place.

For some clients, Intensive EMDR — longer, extended sessions — can support meaningful change in a shorter span of time. This isn’t about pushing the work faster, but about giving it enough continuity and space to unfold without frequent stopping and restarting.

We’ll talk together about pacing and options, and adjust as we go. EMDR works best when it’s responsive to your system rather than driven by a fixed timeline.

I’m located in the Upper Valley of Vermont, in downtown White River Junction. In-person services are available year-round to clients who live locally or travel from outside of the area.

Please see my Investment page for information on my fees.

The first step is to schedule a consultation call. This is a brief conversation to connect, answer any initial questions, and note anything important you’d like me to know.

From there, we’ll schedule an initial session to explore your experience more fully and determine whether working together feels like a good fit.