Answers to common questions about therapy, EMDR, and working with me.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's an evidence-based therapy developed in 1987 that uses bilateral stimulation (typically guided eye movements) to help your brain process traumatic memories.
When something traumatic happens, your brain's natural processing system can become overwhelmed, leaving the memory "stuck" with all its original intensity. EMDR helps your brain complete the processing, so the memory becomes part of your past rather than something that controls your present.
Learn more on our dedicated EMDR page.
The timeline varies based on the complexity of your situation. Many clients with single-incident trauma (like a car accident or specific event) see significant improvement in 6-12 sessions. Research shows over 80% of single-trauma PTSD patients no longer qualify for a PTSD diagnosis after just 3-6 sessions.
Complex trauma — like childhood abuse or ongoing domestic violence — typically requires more time, but many clients notice improvement within the first few sessions. We'll set realistic expectations together during your initial consultation.
No. This is one of the most significant advantages of EMDR over traditional talk therapy. You don't need to describe your traumatic experience in detail. During EMDR processing, you hold the memory in mind while following bilateral stimulation — your brain does the processing work internally.
This makes EMDR particularly helpful for people who find it too distressing to verbally recount their trauma, or who feel "stuck" in talk therapy.
Yes. EMDR is recognized as a safe and effective treatment by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. It has been extensively researched in over 30 randomized controlled trials.
During EMDR, you may temporarily experience heightened emotions as memories are processed — this is normal and expected. I will always prepare you with coping strategies before we begin processing, and we will never move faster than you're comfortable with.
EMDRIA stands for the EMDR International Association — the gold standard organization for EMDR practice. While many therapists complete basic EMDR training, EMDRIA Certification requires significantly more:
When you see an EMDRIA Certified therapist, you know you're working with someone who has made EMDR their area of deepest expertise — not just a supplementary skill. You can verify my certification at EMDRIA.org.
The first session is about getting to know each other and creating a safe foundation. We'll talk about what brought you to therapy, your history, and your goals for treatment. I'll explain how EMDR works and answer any questions you have.
We won't jump into trauma processing right away — the first few sessions focus on building trust, establishing safety, and making sure you feel comfortable and prepared before we begin deeper work.
Most clients start with weekly sessions. As you progress and symptoms improve, we can move to biweekly and eventually monthly sessions before wrapping up. The pace is always based on your needs and comfort level.
Standard sessions are 50 minutes, though EMDR processing sessions may sometimes run longer (60-90 minutes) to allow adequate time for processing.
Absolutely. It's one of the most common things I hear, and it makes complete sense — especially if you've experienced trauma. Reaching out takes courage, and the nervousness itself shows that you're taking something important seriously.
That's exactly why I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. It gives you a chance to ask questions, hear my voice, and get a sense of whether we might be a good fit — with no pressure or commitment.
Please contact us to discuss your specific insurance coverage. I can provide superbills (detailed receipts) that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Many clients receive partial reimbursement this way.
Visit our Insurance & Fees page for more details, or call (269) 355-8045 to discuss your specific situation.
My office is located at 319 Park Street, Plainwell, MI 49080. I serve clients from Plainwell, Kalamazoo, Portage, Otsego, and the surrounding SW Michigan area.