EMDR Therapy for Children & Teens

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Helping Your Child Move Past the “Stuck” Moments to Find Joy Again

I know you are exhausted. You want nothing more than to see your child smile, engage with the family, and just feel “normal” again. But right now, they are struggling, and you feel helpless.

I am here to tell you that healing is possible. I am a dedicated therapist specializing in EMDR therapy for kids and teenagers. Whether you are seeking help for a child with anxiety or support for a withdrawn teen, I provide a safe, consistent space where your child is seen, heard, and understood—without the pressure to explain everything perfectly.

I See You: The Parent Who Has Tried Everything

If you are reading this, you have probably already tried traditional routes. You might be losing sleep asking yourself, “Why is my child so angry?” or feeling defeated after trying to find effective therapy for an acting out child, only to be told they just need “better discipline.”

Perhaps you tried talk therapy, but your child either shut down completely, refused to go, or didn’t have the words to articulate their pain. It is heartbreaking to watch your child struggle with anxiety, behavioral outbursts, or school refusal. You might be terrified that therapy will make it worse by forcing them to “relive” the past.

Please know this: You aren’t failing them. Traditional talk therapy relies on the ability to verbally process emotions—a skill that many children and teenagers simply haven’t developed yet. That is why I use a different approach.

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What is EMDR Therapy and How Does It Help?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is different from any other therapy you may have tried.

Think of your child’s brain like a digestive system. Usually, the brain “digests” experiences throughout the day, keeping what is useful and discarding what isn’t. However, when a scary or overwhelming event happens, the brain gets a “stomach ache.” The memory gets stuck, undigested, and freezes in time.

This means that even if the event happened years ago, your child’s brain reacts as if it is happening right now. This shows up as:

    • Meltdowns or behavioral outbursts

    • Shutting down or withdrawal

    • Nightmares and sleep disturbances

    • Persistent anxiety

I use EMDR Therapy to help their brain “digest” that stuck memory. We do this using bilateral stimulation—like following my fingers with their eyes, tapping on their knees, or using a butterfly tap on their shoulders. This kickstarts the brain’s natural healing process, allowing the memory to fade into the past where it belongs.

Why I Choose EMDR for Teenagers and Children

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As an adult and child trauma specialist, I have chosen to specialize in this modality because I have seen it work when nothing else has.

    • No “Interrogations”: Your child does not have to detail every scary moment. We work with how the brain stores the event, not just the story they tell.

    • Privacy for Teens: EMDR for teenagers is particularly effective because it respects their need for privacy. It allows them to process difficult feelings without feeling like they have to tell an adult all their secrets.

    • Faster Healing: EMDR often resolves issues faster than traditional talk therapy, meaning your child can get back to being a kid sooner.

    • It’s Not Just “Talking”: For younger children, I integrate play and creativity, making the sessions feel safe and approachable rather than clinical and scary.

My Process: A Gentle Path to Healing

I recognize that safety is your number one priority. My approach is developmentally tailored to meet your child exactly where they are.

1. Building the Bond

Before we do any “work,” I take the time to build trust. To break the ice, we initially talk about your child’s favorite activities, interests, sports, and hobbies. We then build a “safe place” together using imagination and grounding techniques. This ensures they feel secure and in control before we ever approach difficult topics.

2. Gentle Processing

We begin the EMDR therapy for kids and teens at their pace.

    • For a seven-year-old: This might look like drawing a picture while we tap.

    • For a teenager: We can use gentle butterfly taps on their shoulders while exploring their story. We process the “stuck” memories in small, manageable pieces so they are never overwhelmed.

3. Strengthening Resilience

Once the heavy burden of the past is lifted, we work on the future. I help your child install positive beliefs about themselves—shifting from “I am unsafe” or “It’s my fault” to “I am safe now” and “I am strong.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Will parents be involved in the sessions?

Yes, especially for younger children. I view parents as partners in healing. For teenagers, I respect their need for autonomy while keeping you informed about the general progress and how you can support them at home.

Is EMDR safe for kids?

Yes. EMDR is recognized as an effective and safe treatment for trauma by organizations like the NHS and Psychology Today. Because I pace the therapy to your child’s window of tolerance, we ensure they never feel unsafe during the process.

What if my child refuses to talk?

That is the beauty of this approach. EMDR Therapy does not require them to verbally articulate specific details of their trauma. We can work with feelings, body sensations, or images. While they do not need to tell the whole story, they do need to be open to coming to therapy and engaging with the process.

Taking the Next Step

Choosing a therapist for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make, and I want you to feel completely comfortable with that choice.

If you are ready to explore how we can help your child find peace without the pain of reliving the past, I invite you to click the link below.

Take the Next Step