FAQs

therapy can set you free



What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy) is a mental health therapy method. It treats mental health conditions that happen because of memories from traumatic events in your past. These treatments help you process—or work through—your traumatic experience.

What is Life Coaching?

Life coaching is a process that helps people gain clarity about different aspects of their lives. Life coaches work with clients to help them define goals and find ways to achieve them. They focus on the client's future, including their aspirations and what they hope to achieve. Life coaches can help clients in different areas of their life, including relationships, careers, and day-to-day lives.

How can EMDR Therapy/Life Coaching help me?

A number of benefits are available from participating in EMDR/Life Coaching therapies. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from EMDR/Life Coaching depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. 

Some of the benefits available from sessions include:

    • Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
    • Developing skills for improving your relationships
    • Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
    • Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
    • Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
    • Improving communications and listening skills
    • Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
    • Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
    • Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Do I really need EMDR therapy and/or life coaching therapy?  I can usually handle my problems.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face. EMDR therapy aims at getting rid of those underlying issues and avoiding future triggers.


Why do people go to EMDR therapy and Life Coaching and how do I know if it is right for me?

People have many different motivations for coming to EMDR therapy and life coaching sessions.   Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well.  Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks.  EMDR therapy/LIfe Coaching can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods.  Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life.   In short, people seeking these services are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.

What is EMDR therapy like?

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual.  In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous EMDR therapy session.  Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development.  The goal of EMDR therapy is to help get rid of those hurdles once and for all in the minimum amount of time.  If you are unfamiliar about EMDR therapy, I suggest doing a little research on it so you know what to expect. Also, you can call for more information.
It is important to understand that you will get more results from  EMDR therapy if you actively participate in the process.  The ultimate purpose  is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life and get rid of those un processed underlying issues causing your current issues. Therefore, beyond the work you do in sessions, your EDMR Therapist and LIfe Coach may suggest some things you can do outside  to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking support are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.

What about medication vs. types of therapy?

It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, EMDR addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.  Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.

Do you take insurance, and how does that work?

Unfortunately,Life Coaching is not reimbursable, but we do offer a sliding scale and work with you. We also are in the process of obtaining grants which will be utilized for payment of services. EMDR is part of many billable treatment plans.  We are credentialed for the following:

BCBS, Aetna, United, Tufts, Neighborhood, and Medicare.


Does what we talk about in therapy sessions remain confidential?

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and EMDR therapist/Life Coach. Successful sessions require a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the  office.   Every EMDR therapist/Life Coach should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone.  This is called “Informed Consent”.  Sometimes, however, you may want your EMDR therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your EMDR therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.


Although Life Coaching is not regulated, all sessions are confidential and receive the same respect as a psychotherapy session.  EMDR is also a form of therapy which is highly confidential.

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