EMDR-certified therapist · Charlotte, NC
EMDR Therapy in Charlotte, NC
Healing for the memories and patterns that still feel present.
In-person EMDR in Charlotte and virtual sessions, offered as part of weekly therapy or in focused EMDR intensives.
02 — Who it's for
Who EMDR can help
EMDR is best known for treating trauma and PTSD, but it can help with any experience that continues to feel emotionally active. EMDR may be a fit if you are navigating:
- Trauma, PTSD or a single overwhelming event
- Anxiety, panic or a constant sense of being on guard
- Childhood experiences that still shape how you see yourself
- Attachment wounds and relationship patterns you keep repeating
- Grief and loss
- Beliefs like “I’m not enough” or “I’m not safe” that feel true no matter how much you know otherwise
- Performance anxiety, phobias or specific fears
You do not need a trauma diagnosis to benefit. If something from the past is still showing up in the present, it is worth exploring.
01 — The basics
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people heal from distressing life experiences. It is recognized as an effective treatment for trauma by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, gentle tapping or alternating tones, while you briefly focus on a memory. This supports the brain's natural ability to reprocess it, so the memory becomes something that happened, rather than something that keeps happening.
Clients often describe the result as distance: they still remember, but the charge is gone.
Some experiences stay with us long after they are over. You may understand exactly why you react the way you do, and still find your body bracing, your mind looping, or old feelings flooding in as if it were happening now.
03 — The process
How Brooke approaches EMDR
EMDR is never rushed or applied the same way to everyone. Brooke integrates EMDR with somatic therapy, Internal Family Systems and nervous system work, so processing feels manageable, not overwhelming. The eight-phase protocol moves through three stages, so you always know where you are.
Preparation
We explore your history, identify what you want to work on, and build resources for calming and grounding your nervous system. You will not begin processing until you feel ready.
Processing
Using bilateral stimulation, we work through target memories and the beliefs attached to them. You stay present and in control the entire time, and we can pause whenever you need.
Integration
We strengthen new, more accurate beliefs, check in with what your body is holding, and make sure each session closes with you feeling settled.
Out-of-network provider · Credit, debit and HSA/FSA accepted · Superbills available on request · See rates
EMDR questions, answered
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
It depends on what you are working on. A single, recent event may resolve in a handful of processing sessions, while long-standing or childhood experiences usually take longer. Brooke will talk through a realistic plan once she understands your history and goals.
Is EMDR safe?
EMDR is a well-researched, structured therapy. Brooke spends time on preparation so you have grounding tools before any processing begins, and you can pause at any point. Some people feel tired or emotional after a session, which usually settles as the work continues.
Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?
No. EMDR does not require you to describe every detail of what happened. You can share as much or as little as feels right; the processing happens internally.
Can EMDR be done online?
Yes. Virtual EMDR uses on-screen eye movements, self-tapping or audio tones. Brooke offers virtual sessions for clients who prefer to work from home.
What is the difference between EMDR and talk therapy?
Talk therapy helps you understand your experiences. EMDR helps your brain and body reprocess them, so insight becomes felt change. Brooke often combines both.
What is an EMDR intensive?
An intensive is a longer block of focused EMDR time, so you can open, process and close deep work in one sitting rather than across weeks of 50-minute sessions.
Does insurance cover EMDR?
Brooke is an out-of-network provider. She can provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement, and accepts HSA/FSA cards.
Is Brooke a certified EMDR therapist?
Yes. Brooke is an EMDR-certified clinician and a licensed clinical social worker with more than 20 years of experience.