EMDR Therapy
Overland Park, KS
Does your past still haunt you?
It may have happened years ago, but it can still feel like it was yesterday.
You may know in your mind that the trauma wasn’t your fault, yet deep down you can’t shake the guilt or shame.
The emotions that flood in when you’re reminded of what happened can be overwhelming.
You’d give anything to finally get the images and memories out of your head.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and there is hope. Trailhead Counseling offers EMDR therapy in Overland Park to help you find relief, peace, and healing.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a highly researched, evidence-based therapy designed to help people recover from trauma, PTSD, and overwhelming life experiences.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses specific eye movements (or other forms of bilateral stimulation) to help your brain reprocess traumatic memories. These eye movements activate the brain’s natural healing ability, allowing you to resolve painful experiences and reduce emotional distress.
Thousands of trauma survivors—including veterans, first responders, survivors of sexual abuse, and people who’ve experienced accidents or loss—have found healing through EMDR.
Why Choose Trailhead Counseling Services for EMDR?
At Trailhead Counseling Services, we understand that trauma affects everyone differently. That’s why we tailor EMDR trauma therapy to your unique needs, history, and goals.
We specialize in trauma therapy and PTSD recovery and serve clients throughout the Kansas City Metro. We know how heavy trauma can feel—and how much courage it takes to reach out for help.
Our therapists are trained in EMDR and committed to walking alongside you with compassion, respect, and expertise. Whether you’re seeking EMDR therapy near Kansas City or locally here in Overland Park, we provide a safe space for you to heal and move forward.
Our office is conveniently located in Overland Park, making us accessible to people seeking trauma and EMDR therapy across the Kansas City metro area, including Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, and Shawnee.
The EMDR therapists on our team offer trauma therapy to veterans, first responders, men struggling with PTSD, men struggling with anxiety, and anyone else who is looking for a local EMDR therapist.
Choosing a therapist is an important step in your healing journey. Here are a few reasons why we’re confident that the therapists at Trailhead Counseling Services in Overland Park will be able to help you:
Trauma-informed care: Every session is designed with safety, compassion, and respect at the center.
Faith integration if desired: We honor your values and can incorporate Scripture and Christian principles into therapy if that’s important to you.
Experienced EMDR trauma therapists: Our team is trained to help clients heal from PTSD, anxiety, and childhood trauma using evidence-based EMDR therapy.
Comprehensive mental health therapy in Overland Park: We address not only trauma but also the broader struggles that often accompany it, such as panic, addiction, and relational challenges.
Convenient and accessible: Located right in Overland Park, we’re a short drive for anyone in the Kansas City area seeking trauma and PTSD therapy.
Male-focused therapy: While our clinicians are comfortable working with men and women, our practice specializes in helping men who are experiencing PTSD, addiction, anxiety, and OCD. If you’re a man looking for therapy in Overland Park or the Kansas City area, Trailhead Counseling is the place for you.
Healing is possible. No matter how heavy your past feels, EMDR can help you move forward with greater peace and confidence.
What Sets Trailhead Counseling Services Apart
EMDR Therapists in Overland Park
The team at Trailhead Counseling consists of trauma-informed therapists trained in EMDR. If you’re looking for a local trauma therapist who uses EMDR, Trailhead Counseling Services is the place for you.
How Does EMDR Work?
While scientists are still studying exactly why EMDR is effective, research consistently shows that it helps the brain safely process trauma.
Some experts believe EMDR activates both sides of the brain at once, helping your mind “unstick” from painful memories. Others suggest the eye movements act as a form of distraction, allowing you to revisit memories without becoming overwhelmed.
Whatever the mechanism, one thing is clear: EMDR therapy works. Studies show it is one of the most effective treatments available for PTSD and trauma. Trailhead Counseling offer EMDR for veterans, child abuse survivors, first responders, and other people struggling with PTSD.
You can learn more about how scientists thing EMDR works by checking out this article.
What to Expect in an EMDR Session
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Identifying a memory
Together, you and your therapist choose a memory to focus on.
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Activating the memory
You’ll think about the memory while following the therapist’s hand or another form of bilateral stimulation.
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Reprocessing the memory
Between sets of eye movements, your therapist will check in on what you’re noticing. Over time, the memory often becomes less distressing.
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Installing a positive belief
Once the memory loses its intensity, you’ll work with your therapist to replace it with a healthier, more realistic belief about yourself.
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Body scan
Finally, the therapist helps you ensure the trauma is no longer stored in your body.
How long does EMDR take?
The length of EMDR treatment varies depending on your personal history, the severity of trauma, and your readiness for therapy. Some clients notice relief in as few as five sessions, while others may need more time to fully heal.
Unlike many therapies that can take years, EMDR often produces results more quickly, making it a powerful option for trauma recovery.
Trailhead Counseling offers EMDR to people looking for trauma therapy in Overland Park and the Kansas City Metro to help you see results as quickly as possible.
Is EMDR Safe?
Yes, EMDR is a safe and effective treatment for trauma and PTSD.
Some people may experience strong emotions during sessions—that’s a natural part of reprocessing trauma. Others may notice mild eye strain, in which case your therapist can use alternative methods of bilateral stimulation such as tapping or audio tones.
If you have a history of seizures, consult with your doctor before beginning EMDR.
Is EMDR Right for Me?
EMDR therapy can help a wide range of people, including:
Survivors of childhood abuse or neglect
Survivors of accidents, medical trauma, or natural disasters
Individuals who have experienced a single traumatic event or multiple traumas over time
If you’re struggling with distressing memories, nightmares, flashbacks, or anxiety related to past experiences, EMDR may be a good fit.
Many people come to EMDR because traditional talk therapy hasn’t helped them fully resolve their trauma. If you’ve tried counseling before and still feel stuck, EMDR therapy may finally bring the relief you’ve been hoping for.
Our therapists in Overland Park specialize not only in EMDR but also in counseling for anxiety, addiction, depression, and the effects of childhood abuse or neglect.
Common Questions About EMDR
Is EMDR hypnosis?
No. EMDR is not hypnosis. You remain fully conscious, in control, and aware throughout the session.
Is EMDR covered by insurance?
Most major insurance providers recognize EMDR as an evidence-based treatment and cover it as part of mental health therapy. At Trailhead Counseling Services in Overland Park, we accept several insurance plans and can help you navigate your benefits.
Do I have to tell my therapist about my trauma with EMDR?
One of the beauties of EMDR is that you can process your trauma without sharing the details of it with your therapist. This allows you to confront memories at your own pace and allows for more comfortability when processing trauma.
Can Christians do EMDR?
Although EMDR is a secular therapy model, it can easily incorporate a client’s faith. Truth from Scripture can be applied at every stage of EMDR.
This article may be helpful for Christians who are considering EMDR to read. The quote below summarizes the article nicely.
“As with most forms of therapy, the usefulness and truthfulness depend in large part on the counselor and the client. If a therapist and a client are committed to biblical truth and seeking healing ultimately from God, EMDR could be an acceptable means toward that end.”
Trailhead Counseling is proud to have Christian EMDR therapists on staff ready to help you process your trauma through a faith-filled lens.
FAQs
Many people have questions about EMDR therapy before getting started. That’s completely normal. To help you feel more comfortable and informed, we’ve put together condensed answers to some of the most common questions we hear from clients about EMDR therapy in Overland Park.
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a proven method for treating trauma, anxiety, and PTSD. It works by helping your brain reprocess painful memories in a way that reduces emotional distress and allows for long-term healing.
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During EMDR sessions, your therapist guides you through recalling distressing experiences while using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds. This process helps your brain “unstick” memories and re-store them in a healthier, less overwhelming way. You can read this article to learn more about how researchers think EMDR works.
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EMDR is best known for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it is also effective for anxiety, depression, phobias, panic attacks, and other trauma-related struggles. Many people also find relief from negative self-beliefs, shame, and unresolved grief.
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The length of treatment varies depending on your goals and the complexity of your trauma. Some clients experience significant improvement in just a few sessions, while others may benefit from longer-term therapy. Your therapist will work with you to create a plan that fits your needs
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If you are struggling with trauma, anxiety, or distressing memories that feel “stuck,” EMDR therapy may be a powerful option for you. Scheduling an initial consultation with one of our therapists can help you determine if this approach fits your needs and goals.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
Your past doesn’t have to define your future. With the right support, you can reprocess painful memories, reduce distress, and rediscover hope.
If you’re ready to explore EMDR therapy in Overland Park, we invite you to schedule a session today. We offer a free 15-minute consultation to all prospective clients.
Have a question?
Let us know how we can help.