EMDR Therapy in Tampa, FL and Online Across Florida
For when you have talked about it before, and your body still reacts.
Maybe you understand what happened. You have explained it, analyzed it, maybe even made peace with it on paper. And still, a sound, a tone of voice, or a random Tuesday can make your chest tighten and your mind race. You are not doing anything wrong. Some experiences get stored in a way that talking alone does not reach.
That is where EMDR therapy comes in. I use EMDR with teens and adults in person at my office in Tampa and online across Florida to help painful memories and anxious patterns lose their grip, so the past stops running your present.
Have questions first? Start with a free 20-minute consultation.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps your brain reprocess distressing memories so they feel less intense and less current. It uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or tones, while you briefly hold a memory in mind. Over time, the memory is still there, but it stops feeling like it is happening right now.
EMDR was developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro and is recommended by the World Health Organization for the treatment of PTSD.
How EMDR Therapy Works With Me
EMDR follows a structured, eight-phase approach, and we do not start processing memories on day one. Here is what it generally looks like:
Getting to know you. We talk about what brings you in, what you want to change, and your history, at a pace that feels okay.
Building your toolkit first. Before any memory work, we practice grounding and calming skills so you have ways to settle your nervous system in and out of session.
Reprocessing. We focus on a specific memory, belief, or trigger while using bilateral stimulation. You stay awake, aware, and in control the whole time, and you can pause whenever you need to.
Checking what shifted. We notice what changed, strengthen healthier beliefs about yourself, and make sure you leave feeling settled.
We still talk. EMDR is not silent, and it is not just eye movements. It is a full therapy process, and I am with you through every part of it.
What EMDR Can Help With
Many people come to EMDR for trauma, but it helps with much more than PTSD. I use EMDR for:
Trauma and PTSD, including childhood experiences, accidents, medical events, and relationship trauma
Anxiety and panic attacks
OCD and intrusive thoughts
Depression connected to past experiences
Negative beliefs like “I’m not good enough” or “It was my fault”
Grief, phobias, and painful life transitions
You Do Not Need a “Big” Trauma for EMDR to Help
One of the things I hear most is “Other people have it worse,” or “I shouldn’t feel this way, I have such a great life.” Comparing your pain to someone else’s tends to keep people stuck. Your nervous system does not grade experiences on a curve. If something still affects how you think, feel, or react, it matters, and it is worth working through.
What EMDR Is Not
There is a lot of confusion about EMDR online. Here is what it is not:
Not hypnosis. You are fully awake and aware.
Not memory erasing. You keep your memories. They just stop carrying the same emotional charge.
Not only for PTSD. It helps with anxiety, OCD, negative beliefs, and more.
Not just eye movements. Bilateral stimulation is one part of a larger, structured process.
Not something that starts on day one. Preparation always comes first.
Not a quick fix with no talking. Many people notice change sooner than with talk therapy alone, and we still talk, plan, and check in throughout.
In-Person EMDR in Tampa or Online EMDR Across Florida
I offer weekly EMDR therapy in person at my office on Henderson Blvd in South Tampa and online anywhere in Florida through secure telehealth. Research shows online EMDR can produce results comparable to in-person sessions, and many people like doing this work from a space where they already feel comfortable.
If you would like to move through things in a more focused way, I also offer in-person EMDR Intensives in Tampa, where we spend several hours together over a few sessions instead of meeting once a week.
Why Work With Me for EMDR
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Qualified Supervisor in Florida, with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a trauma concentration and more than 10 years of experience across clinical settings. That includes community treatment teams, substance use programs, intensive outpatient, and adolescent and residential care. I am EMDR trained, and EMDR is a core part of how I work with anxiety and trauma.
What people tell me most is that they can let their guard down here. I show up warm, honest, and direct. My hope is that this becomes a space where you do not have to explain yourself, because someone finally gets it.
Start EMDR Therapy in Tampa or Online in Florida
You do not have to keep white-knuckling it or wait for this to go away on its own. If you would like support, I would love to hear from you. Book your first session online, or start with a free 20-minute consultation if you have questions first.
EMDR Therapy FAQs
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It depends on what you are working on. A single, specific memory may take a few reprocessing sessions, while longer histories or several layers of experiences usually take more time. Preparation comes first, and we will talk openly about a realistic plan as we go.
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Yes. Research shows online EMDR can produce results comparable to in-person sessions. I offer EMDR through secure telehealth to people anywhere in Florida, and in person at my Tampa office.
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No. EMDR does not require you to retell every detail out loud. You hold the memory in mind while we work, and you share as much or as little as feels right.
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Most people describe it as focused but manageable. Feelings, images, or body sensations may come up and then shift. You are in control the whole time, and we always leave time to settle before the session ends.
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No. You stay awake, aware, and in charge throughout. Nothing happens that you are not conscious of.
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No. You keep your memories. What changes is how they feel, so remembering no longer brings the same panic, shame, or distress.
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No. EMDR helps with anxiety, panic, OCD, negative beliefs, grief, and experiences that may not feel “big enough” to count but still affect you.
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CBT focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors in the present. EMDR works on the memories and beliefs underneath those patterns. I use both, and many people benefit from a mix.
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Some people notice vivid dreams, tiredness, or stirred-up emotions for a day or two after a session. These usually pass, and I will give you tools to use between sessions.
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Yes. I work with people ages 10 and up, and EMDR can be adapted so it feels safe and age-appropriate for teens.
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JBCounseling is a private-pay practice. If you have out-of-network benefits, I can provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
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You can book your first session online, and we will start getting to know each other and what you are hoping for. If you have questions first, you can also book a free 20-minute consultation. You do not need to know what you would say or whether EMDR is right for you.