Is your child struggling with big emotions, scary memories, or behavioral shifts you can’t quite explain? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a gentle, evidence-based therapy that helps children process “stuck” memories so they can return to being the happy, resilient kids they were meant to be.
What is EMDR Therapy for Kids?
EMDR is a powerful therapeutic approach that helps children’s brains heal from upsetting or traumatic experiences. When a child experiences something scary—like an accident, bullying, or a major life change—their brain sometimes “freezes” that memory, along with the original sights, sounds, and feelings. EMDR uses “bilateral stimulation” (like tapping or eye movements) to help the brain’s natural healing process “digest” these memories, taking the “sting” out of the past.
Who is it for?
- Children who have experienced trauma (loss, medical procedures, or accidents).
- Kids struggling with “big” behaviors like sudden outbursts, aggression, or withdrawal.
- Children with phobias, night terrors, or separation anxiety.
- Students experiencing school-based stress or performance anxiety.
- Kids who seem “on edge” or hyper-vigilant following a stressful life event.
Benefits of Redeemed Life EMDR for Children
- Child-Friendly Approach – We adapt EMDR protocols using play, storytelling, and puppets to ensure your child feels safe and engaged, not intimidated.
- Rapid Resolution – Children’s brains are remarkably “plastic” and often process trauma much faster than adults, leading to quicker behavioral improvements.
- Reduces Emotional Reactivity – Helps children move from a state of “fight, flight, or freeze” to a more calm, regulated state.
- Strengthens the Parent-Child Bond – We often involve parents in the process, giving you tools to support your child’s emotional growth at home.
- No “Talk” Necessary – Kids don’t always have the words for their pain. EMDR works with the brain’s internal processing, so your child doesn’t have to explain every detail to heal.
Talk To One of Our Counselors
Michelle Fitzhugh, LPC-S
Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor
Founder & Executive Director
Specialties:
Works With:
Chris Washam, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Clinical Director
Specialties:
Works With:
Jennifer Lafabregue, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Specialties:
Works With:
Courtney Osborne, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Specialties:
Works With:
Heather Love, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Specialties:
Works With:
Kassie Hitchcock, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Specialties:
Works With:
Marianne Pierson, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Specialties:
Works With:
Kendal Rice, LPC, CAS
Licensed Professional Counselor
Specialties:
Works With:
Matt Faulkner, LMFT Associate
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Supervised by Dr. Charette Dersch, PhD, LMFT-S.
Specialties:
Works With:
Jessica Chacon, LPC Associate
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Supervised by Sharon Michelle Fitzhugh, MA LPC-S
Specialties:
Works With:
Chris Shade, LPC Associate
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Supervised by Sharon Michelle Fitzhugh, MA, LPC-S
Specialties:
Works With:
Jessica Bradley, MA, LPC Associate
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Supervised by Sharon Michelle Fitzhugh, MA, LPC-S
Specialties:
Works With:
Nicole Resendiz
Masters Level Student Counselor
Supervised by Sharon Michelle Fitzhugh, MA, LPC-S
Se habla español
Specialties:
Works With:
How EMDR Can Help Your Child or Family
EMDR doesn’t just “mask” symptoms; it changes how your child’s brain responds to stress.
- Replace Fear with Confidence – Watch your child move from being afraid or anxious to feeling capable and secure.
- Improve Sleep & Focus – By processing “stuck” memories, the brain can finally rest, leading to better sleep and improved concentration at school.
- Normalize Big Emotions – Help your child understand and manage their feelings without being overwhelmed by them.
- Break the Cycle of Avoidance – Kids often avoid things that remind them of a scary event; EMDR helps them face the world with renewed courage.
- Restore Playfulness – Our goal is to lift the emotional weight so your child can get back to the most important job of childhood: playing and learning.
Your Path to Healing: What to Expect
Working with children requires a unique “roadmap” that prioritizes comfort and trust.
1. The Parent Discovery Call Support for You
We start by talking with you, the parent. We’ll discuss your child’s history, your current concerns, and explain how EMDR will be tailored to your child’s specific developmental age.
2. The Preparation Phase Building a "Toolbox”
Before any trauma is processed, we spend time teaching your child “resourcing” skills. These are fun, imaginative exercises—like creating a “Safe Place”—that give your child a sense of control and calm.
3. The Processing Sessions Gentle Healing
Using kid-friendly bilateral stimulation (like “butterfly hugs” or hand-taps), we help your child’s brain process the difficult memories. These sessions often look like play but result in profound neurological shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Not at all. We present EMDR as a way to help the “computer” in their brain get rid of “glitches.” We use toys, drawing, and storytelling to make the process feel natural and safe.
While we use play to make the child comfortable, EMDR is a structured neurobiological treatment. While play therapy helps a child express themselves, EMDR specifically targets and resolves the physiological “stuckness” of a memory.
This depends on the age of the child and their comfort level. For younger children, parent involvement is often key. For older children, we discuss what setup will help them feel most “safe” to do the work.
Most children feel tired but relaxed. Because the brain continues to process for a little while after the session, you might notice your child is more quiet or thoughtful, which is a normal sign of healing.
Child EMDR sessions take place at our office at 415 US-377, Suite 202 & 204, in Argyle, TX 76226. Families come to us from Bartonville, Denton, Justin, Lantana, Northlake, Roanoke, and across Denton County.
Our team includes counselors who use EMDR with children and teens, including Courtney Osborne, LPC, and Jessica Chacon, LPC Associate. During your consultation, we will match your child with the counselor who best fits their age and needs.
EMDR can be adapted for children and teens at different developmental stages. Your counselor will tailor the pace, language, and activities to your child’s age, and we are happy to talk through whether EMDR is a good fit for your child.
Yes. EMDR is one of the most widely studied trauma therapies, and the World Health Organization recognizes it as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress in children, adolescents, and adults.
Not in detail. Children often do not have the words for what they experienced, and EMDR does not require them to retell every part of it. Your counselor will move at a pace that keeps your child feeling safe.
Yes. EMDR can also help with smaller but upsetting experiences, such as a move, a frightening medical visit, bullying, or ongoing worries that keep showing up as fears, outbursts, or trouble sleeping.
It varies. Every child begins with a preparation phase to build calming skills before any processing begins, and the overall number of sessions depends on your child’s needs and history. Your counselor will keep you updated on progress along the way.
Keep routines predictable, encourage the calming skills your child learns in session, and share any changes you notice in sleep, mood, or behavior with your counselor. Your involvement is an important part of your child’s progress.
Keep it simple and honest. You might explain that they will meet a helper who uses games and activities to help with big feelings or worries. Your counselor can also suggest age-appropriate wording.
Yes. EMDR often works well alongside play therapy, family counseling, or other child-focused approaches, and your counselor will recommend the combination that fits your child best.
Yes, if your family would like it to be. Parents who want Christian values reflected in their child’s care can share that with their counselor.
Costs vary depending on the type of session and your insurance benefits. Contact our office and we will walk you through pricing and any coverage that may apply.
Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call 940-222-8552 to ask about availability.
Call 940-222-8552 or reach out through our website to schedule a free parent phone consultation, and we will help you decide on next steps for your child.