ADHD can impact focus, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and daily functioning, especially when past experiences and unresolved stress are part of the picture. EMDR therapy is not just for trauma. It can also help address underlying experiences that contribute to ADHD-related challenges. Learn six ways EMDR therapy may help manage symptoms and support greater emotional balance from a Westchester, NY therapist.

Dear Past clients, Current clients, Future clients & Anyone else who just needs to hear this message... I know it can feel like you're...

Dealing with a chronic health condition can be a challenging and often overwhelming journey. From managing symptoms to coping with emotional and psychological impacts, the toll on one's mental well-being can be significant. In such circumstances, seeking mental health counseling becomes a vital source of support, offering a safe space to navigate the complexities of living with chronic health conditions. Mental health counseling can make a meaningful difference. Let's explor

As a child and teen therapist, I can see that it is difficult for parents/care-givers to leave their child for a 45-minute therapy session and not really know what's going on in the office. You may have questions about how therapy with your child works, how it's going and how progress is being measured. Here are 4 ways to tell if your child is making progress. As confidentiality laws apply to minors, parents are not given all information from sessions. It is important to the

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the weight of your family’s struggles? If so, you are not alone. Intergenerational trauma can be like a heavy stone that is passed down through generations, featuring in our families for decades without being properly discussed. Research has now established a direct link between inherited family trauma and issues such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This kind of trauma is particularly difficult to navigate

If your anxiety or depression symptoms feel worse after an EMDR session, you are not alone. EMDR therapy can activate the brain's natural healing process, which may temporarily increase emotional distress between sessions. Learn why this happens and discover 5 practical tips from an EMDR therapist in Westchester, NY to help regulate your nervous system and support healing between EMDR reprocessing sessions.

The what, why and how of the window of tolerance & 3 ways to practice widening your window of tolerance What is the window of tolerance? The “window of tolerance” is a term coined by Dan Seigel, MD. It is defined as: "the optimal zone of 'arousal' for a person to function in everyday life". It is the autonomic nervous system state in which we can tolerate and function through certain experiences, emotions, and situations. Being in your window of tolerance does not mean that y

Phases 7 & 8: Answering the "what", "why" and "how" of each phase of EMDR. Phase 7 of EMDR Therapy: Closure What is the purpose of this phase? : During reprocessing, it is expected to experience some levels of dysregulation. The purpose of Phase 7 is to ensure that you have returned to a more manageable and calmer state after reprocessing. This final part of our EMDR series covers Phases 7 and 8. Why is it important to go through this phase? : Most targets being reprocessed t

As joyous as the Holiday Season is, it can also be overwhelming. There are many things that need to be coordinated and sorted out, family members that can cause stress and a lot of socializing that can be draining. For someone in eating disorder recovery, Holiday Season can be particularly overwhelming because eating disorders don't take days off. It's a continuous battle every day, especially in early recovery, and I'm here to give you a few tips to stay on track. 1. Self-Ca

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, virtual therapy has become a huge part in how people access mental health care. From individual sessions to full partial hospitalization programs, virtual therapy has taken the mental health world by storm. Many different type of mental health therapies can be done virtually. One of the most popular question therapists get asked is "can you do EMDR therapy virtually?" I'm here to answer that question with a big YES! So, can EMDR therapy be done

Phases 5 & 6 Answering the “what”, “why” and “how” of each phase of EMDR. This part of our EMDR therapy series covers Phases 5 and 6. Phase 5 of EMDR Therapy: Installation What Is the Purpose of This Phase of EMDR Therapy? When a traumatic event happens we often ‘file-it’ or assign a belief about ourselves to the event that may be negatively impacting our present day functioning. During Phase 3, you had identified with your therapist the positive cognition (or PC) that you wo

What are Phases 3 & 4 of EMDR Therapy? Phase 3 of EMDR Therapy is known as the assessment phase. This phase is intended to be rather quick in nature, as its purpose is to activate the memory that you and your therapist have chosen to work on. Phase 4 of EMDR Therapy is known as the desensitization phase. This is the phase that most people think of when they think of EMDR Therapy - this is the part where you focus on the memory, move your eyes, and begin to reprocess stressf

“What do you mean I have to accept that this happened!? Why do I have to accept it and move on when they won’t even acknowledge the stress they’ve caused? I didn’t ask for this!” The above quote, or some variation of the sort rings at a high volume throughout any psychotherapeutic milieu, particularly with those healing from traumatic stress. And it’s almost always a speed bump in the initial exploration of the fact that although we do not cause most of our problems in life,

A four part series written by an EMDR Therapist in Westchester, NY that answers the "What", "Why", and "How" each phase of EMDR Therapy works. Part One: Phases 1 & 2 of EMDR Therapy First of all... What is EMDR Therapy? EMDR Therapy is an evidenced based form of psychotherapy that is based on the trauma-informed approach. This means that EMDR Therapy looks at life experiences from the past as the source of present day symptoms of stress, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, et

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a therapeutic modality that has been found to be highly effective in the treatment of trauma. EMDR therapy helps individuals reprocess traumatic memories, thereby reducing their associated emotional distress. But what does that mean? And how does it work? In this blog post, we will discuss exactly how it helps individuals heal from traumatic experiences. What happens when a person experiences trauma? When so

In short: When starting EMDR therapy, expect the first sessions to focus on your history, goals, and building calming skills before any trauma reprocessing begins. EMDR follows eight phases, and how long preparation takes depends on your needs, so the pace is tailored to you. (Updated October 2026) This is to those who are having thoughts about starting EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy, just signed on with a therapist for EMDR, or just want to lear

"So, when are we going to start doing EMDR?" I think I can speak for most EMDR therapists when I say: We get this question all the time....

In short: Codependency is a pattern of putting other people's needs, moods, and approval ahead of your own to the point that you lose touch with yourself. It often starts as a way to stay safe in childhood. Breaking free involves noticing the pattern, setting boundaries, rebuilding your sense of self, and getting support. (Updated October 2026) Do you feel like you're always putting others first? Do you feel like you can never do anything right unless you're pleasing someone

In short: Eating disorder treatment comes in five main levels of care: outpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), partial hospitalization (PHP), residential, and inpatient hospital care. The right level depends on medical stability, how often eating disorder behaviors happen, and how much support someone needs to eat and stay safe. (Updated October 2026) For someone struggling with an eating disorder, outpatient treatment may not be enough. Over the years, a system has been put