EMDR and Trauma Counseling
in Kansas City, Missouri
You feel like you are on the outside looking in at your own life. Often you feel numb or like you are just “going through the motions” rather than truly participating in and enjoying your life and significant relationships. Other times you feel anxious or overwhelmed, not knowing when unexpected “triggers” may pop up out of nowhere.
You can’t seem to stop the intrusive thoughts coming into your mind. Even though the distressing or traumatic event happened quite a while ago, when reminders come up, you feel as if you are right back in the event. You don’t feel in control of your emotions or physical responses, and it can be scary and overwhelming.
On the outside you look put-together, but internally your mind is busy with negative thoughts and memories. You’ve noticed that your mood changes often – you are suddenly irritable, anxious or down, at times for no apparent reason.
You begin to avoid places, people or situations that remind you of what happened. You drive out of your way to arrive at your destination if there is a chance you could pass by that familiar looking place that makes your insides crawl. You feel detached from others and don’t want to talk about what you’ve experienced or how you are feeling each day. Who could understand, anyway?
You don’t have to continue allowing these symptoms to take over your life. Regardless of how significant or intrusive your trauma symptoms may be, trauma counseling can help you identify and reduce these symptoms. You can start moving through areas where you have felt stuck for so long.
You want to move forward, but past trauma is keeping you stuck.
You don’t have to continue living this way.
You are tired of feeling like you must be “on” all the time and living in “fight or flight mode.” You feel exhausted and don’t remember the last time you had a good night’s sleep. Your relationships have begun to be affected as those close to you have noticed changes in your mood and say you are not as present with them lately.
You are no longer interested in the things you used to get excited about. It is hard for you to completely relax and feel like you don’t have to be ready for the next unexpected thing that may happen.
It is getting harder to focus on your job and complete your day-to-day tasks. You find yourself asking: “What is wrong with me?”
Having a response to trauma is not your fault. It is normal.
Often individuals who have experienced trauma do not understand the effects that it is having on their minds and bodies. Our brains were created to protect us when we experience or witness a traumatic event. It is too much to process all at once, and so our brain acts as a guard to keep us from being flooded with all the distressing information.
Working with a trauma-informed therapist provides a safe space for you to understand your symptoms, reduce their intensity, and develop tools that support lasting emotional safety and resilience.
Some people describe “checking out” or “going away” and not recalling details of the traumatic events they experienced. They may feel disconnected from their own bodies or like they are watching someone else go through the experience in slow motion.
Others may minimize the effects of the traumatic event after it happens, but recognize later that they are having intrusive thoughts, memories, or dreams of what occurred. They find themselves reacting with strong emotions if reminders come up, and it may feel like they are right back in the event.
Common symptoms also include:
Difficulty sleeping
Heightened anxiety
Irritability
Emotional numbness
A persistent sense of being “on edge.”
Trauma can surface in many ways, often leaving people feeling overwhelmed long after the event has passed. Unresolved trauma can cause multiple subsequent issues such as depression, anxiety, and disconnection from others.
You may find yourself trying to cope with the negative emotions or memories in unhealthy ways. This has caused a ripple effect of problems, and you know that you can’t go on this way. It is time to take the next step towards truly living the life you were created to.
You have taken the courageous first step to find help.
This is not a small thing!
You now realize you cannot continue trying to navigate these symptoms on your own. You are ready to begin living your life again, rather than just being in “survival mode.” Imagine feeling present and joyful in your day-to-day life and interactions with others.
You recall the events of the past at times, but they no longer rob you of peace in the present moments. You feel hopeful for the future and begin to look forward to the days ahead of you.
Imagine feeling like yourself again.
Trauma counseling provides a safe and supportive space to process overwhelming experiences, understand the body’s trauma responses, and develop healthier ways of coping. By working with a trauma-informed therapist, clients can reclaim a sense of safety, build resilience, and move toward emotional and relational healing.
How can EMDR therapy help?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps the brain heal from painful experiences by reducing the emotional intensity of traumatic memories. By gently guiding the brain’s natural healing process, EMDR helps lessen the impact of intrusive memories, anxiety, shame, or negative beliefs that often take root after trauma - beliefs such as “I’m not worthy,” “I’m alone,” or “I’ll never be safe.” As these beliefs shift, many clients experience a deeper sense of peace, clarity, and emotional stability.
Rather than relying solely on talk therapy, EMDR therapy targets the neurobiological storage of trauma, helping clients reprocess memories that are continuing to trigger emotional, physiological or mental distress. EMDR therapy incorporates bilateral stimulation - such as guided eye movements, tactile tapping, or alternating tones - to activate the brain’s natural healing process. This allows the brain to reprocess distressing memories so they become less vivid, less triggering, and more fully integrated into your life story.
EMDR therapy has been proven to help clients:
Reduce distress from traumatic memories.
Calm the body’s fight-or-flight responses.
Strengthen resilience and emotional regulation.
Replace lies formed through pain with comforting and transforming truth.
Experience greater freedom, confidence, and inner peace.
Can EMDR be incorporated within Christian faith-based counseling?
For clients who desire a Christian faith-integrated approach, EMDR can be combined with faith-based practices in a clinically appropriate way. Clients are welcome to incorporate prayer, Scripture-informed thought reframing, or spiritual grounding strategies. These elements are used thoughtfully and ethically, ensuring both clinical effectiveness and respect for the client’s spiritual background.
EMDR therapy with a Christian faith integration is optional, client-led, and focused on supporting holistic wellness—emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually.
EMDR has been found to align naturally with Biblical themes including redemption, restoration, and freedom. As old wounds are reprocessed, many clients report finding it easier to:
Experience God’s peace more fully.
Replace distorted, false beliefs with truth grounded in Scripture.
Restore trust, hope, and connection with God and others.
Heal from experiences that once felt too heavy to carry.
This integration honors both your emotional and spiritual journey, allowing healing to take place at every level.
EMDR therapy provides a compassionate, trauma-informed path to healing—helping clients move from simply surviving to truly thriving in the wholeness they were created for.
If you are ready to begin the healing process—or if you simply want to learn whether trauma counseling or EMDR therapy may be right for you—I’m here to support you every step of the way.