EMDR THERAPY for Teens and young adults in Lancaster, PA
EMDR Therapy
At Cool Creek Counseling, several of our therapists are EMDRIA-trained EMDR therapists who receive ongoing consultation, supervision, and training in using EMDR, particularly with children, adolescents, and young adults. By combining this evidence-based approach with a compassionate, child- and teen-friendly environment, we help young individuals process past traumas, reduce distressing symptoms, and build resilience.
What is EMDR Therapy?
Helping children and teens process difficult experiences and move forward.
EMDR is a psychotherapy technique that has proven particularly effective in treating trauma-related disorders in children, adolescents, and adults.
Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR helps individuals process difficult or traumatic memories so they can begin to heal from their effects.
Rather than allowing distressing experiences to continue to feel as intense or immediate as they once did, EMDR provides a structured framework for processing those memories, reducing associated emotional distress, and moving toward healing.
How can EMDR help?
EMDR uses the brain’s natural processing capacity to help integrate traumatic memories. Through bilateral stimulation, it engages the brain’s information-processing system and helps transform memories that may have been stored in unhelpful ways.
For children and teens in particular, EMDR can provide a structured way to process experiences that may otherwise be difficult to understand, express, or move through.
EMDR may be used to support those experiencing:
Trauma-related challenges
Anxiety
Emotional distress related to past experiences
Phobias
Distressing or difficult memories
What to Expect in EMDR Therapy
EMDR Therapy takes place through a series of phases designed to help you or your child safely process difficult experiences.
Therapy begins with history-taking and preparation, when your therapist gathers relevant information, establishes rapport, and introduces coping skills. During the assessment phase, specific traumatic or distressing memories may be identified for reprocessing. Reprocessing and desensitization then use bilateral stimulation to help process those memories and reduce the emotional intensity associated with them. Later phases focus on strengthening positive beliefs and emotions, addressing any remaining physical sensations related to the trauma, and making sure you or your child feels stable before the session ends.
As therapy progresses, your therapist will continue to evaluate any remaining distress and determine what may still need to be addressed.
Ready to Learn more about emdr therapy?
If you or your child or teen is struggling with trauma-related challenges, anxiety, phobias, or other psychological concerns, we’re here to help.
Reach out to schedule a consultation, learn more about EMDR Therapy, and determine whether it may be an appropriate option for you or your child.