Certified EMDR Therapist in Holliston easily accessible from Metro West Boston.
Licensed in MA, FL, VT
Certified EMDR Therapist in Holliston easily accessible from Metro West Boston.
Licensed in MA, FL, VT
Please reach us at kathycummingcounseling@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
In my practice, I integrate attachment-informed EMDR therapy as a powerful tool for treating trauma. EMDR (eye-movement, desensitization and reprocessing) is a specialized therapy approach that helps individuals process traumatic memories and experiences in a safe and structured manner. It includes the following stages adapted from Derek Farrel, Ph.D:
1. Mapping or Assessment : Before starting therapy, I will need to understand your history, trauma experiences, and current symptoms and stressors.
2. Creating Safety: My paramount goal is to create a therapeutic environment of safety and trust which is essential in trauma therapy along with teaching you new skills to safely engage in EMDR adaptive processing.
3. Identifying past experiences that are impacting the present. These memories will be reprocessed to reduce the emotional distress associated with them by using various forms of (BIlateral Stimulation) BLS which may include sounds, tapping, or eye movements.
4. Reorganizing integrating and embodying: Initially focusing on past experiences, distressing memories, thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and distressing images and with BLS process and integrate them in the brain, leading to a reduction in distress and the creation of new, more positive associations.
6. Regulate, Balance and Restore: EMDR sessions end with a positive regulating such as a guided mediation, grounding or visualization to ensure you feels grounded and safe. We also reevaluate the progress made, and identify any new targets for future sessions.
7. Follow-up: About six weeks after our last session of reprocessing we will meet again to discuss how your new adaptive information and knowledge is integrating into your life.
Initially, we will meet weekly for one hour or biweekly for one and a half to two hours depending on what works best for you. We will explore your concerns and develop treatment goals, learn about your nervous system and how you find safety and develop a trusting and strong therpeutic relationship. This provides consistency and support as we work through the challenges you're facing, and begin the healing process.
As therapy progresses and you start to feel more stable and make progress towards your goals, you may transition to less frequent sessions. This phase allows for deeper exploration and integration of therapeutic work outside of sessions.
First and foremost trauma therapy with me is about safety. After discussing your goals, you will learn and integrate in session EMDR specific coping skills designed to regulate your nervous system, manage distress, and maintain stability during, after and in between sessions. This resource building helps you navigate the therapeutic process with greater resilience, self-awareness, and emotion regulation.
Please reach us at KathyCummingCounseling@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
It is not the event that determines whether something is traumatic to you. It is how you experience the event that matters. Experiencing or witnessing a frightening, dangerous, or violent event can overwhelm our body’s natural coping abilities. Other more common life events like job stress, divorce, or accidents can cause a trauma response as well.
EMDR therapy has received worldwide recognition as an effective treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction low self-esteem, and the myriad problems that bring people to therapy. - EMDR Institute Inc. .
EMDR is effective in the treatment of numerous issues. It is not just a treatment for trauma. A disturbing event is like an emotional wound that festers causing intense suffering. It enhances your capacity to regulate your own nervous system. You will feel more stable and less reactive, easing the management of your symptoms. Unresolved pain from early life experiences often contributes to and perpetuates various symptoms. By addressing these emotional roots, we tap into the brain's healing process, enabling you to overcome current-day emotional and relationship challenges.
Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference in less than 4 one-hour sessions.
EMDR, has been utilized by therapists since the late 1980s. It is evidence-based and widely recognized and backed by research studies that attest to its clinical effectiveness for both trauma and non trauma related issues. For more information please check out https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
Yes, Being in the comfort of your own home provides a sense of security and ease. If you prefer the convenience of not having to commute to a physical location or require a more flexible schedule then online therapy may be good for you. There are certain situations where online EMDR therapy may not be recommended. Deciding whether it is preferable is part of the initial consultation process
EMDR Intensive and Extended sessions appointments are available weekdays and some weekends.
No! EMDR is often done as an adjunct therapy to psychotherapy. Consulting with your current therapist is optimal treatment.
As of January 1, 2026 I accept only Aetna Insurance. If you do not have Aetna please see the info below about Out Of Network Benefits (OON). My rate is $180 per hour session. The optimal amount of time for an EMDR session is 90 minutes which is $270 per session.
Most PPO plans cover 50%-100% of our services after you meet your deductible. We encourage you to explore this option, as many of our patients successfully receive reimbursement for their sessions.
If you're unsure whether your plan includes out-of-network benefits, here are a few steps to help you find out:
Once you've confirmed your benefits, submitting a claim is straightforward. You can either:
A one hour session is $180. I am passionate about extended sessions and Intensives which, in my opinion are the most efficient and effective manner to do EMDR. A 90-minute session is $270 and a two hour session is $360.