neurodiversity-affirming EMDR

in Baltimore, MD and virtually

Painful experiences can leave a lasting imprint, showing up in the present as thoughts, emotions, or sensations that feel as intense as the original event, making it difficult to move forward or see possibility for the future.

EMDR can help you heal.

As an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Approved Consultant, Shir has completed the highest standards of EMDR training and consultation. Shir provides collaborative, neurodiversity and LGBTQ+ affirming services, available in-person in Baltimore, Maryland, and virtually to Maryland residents.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) uses guided eye movements and gentle taps or sounds- called bilateral stimulation- to activate your brain’s natural ability to heal. It uses a three-pronged approach, addressing past memories and present triggers while helping you develop tools to prepare for and navigate stressors related to the future. 

Research shows EMDR is effective for both single-event trauma and ongoing stressors and can help with:

  • PTSD and Complex-PTSD

  • Anxiety and panic

  • Depression

  • Grief and loss

  • Chronic pain

  • Burnout and feeling “stuck”

  • Phobias

  • Disordered eating

EMDR Services

  • EMDR Intensives

    Ideal for clients integrating EMDR with their current therapy or wanting to make rapid progress, Intensives offer a multi-hour treatment in a short period of time.

    Learn More

  • Professional Consultation

    Shir is a EMDRIA Certified Consultant supporting professionals interested in deepening their EMDR skills, in general, or attaining EMDRIA Certification.

    Make It

  • Ongoing Therapy

    Ideal for clients who want to work at a steady, gradual pace and address multiple concerns, EMDR can be part of our ongoing work together, weekly or biweekly.

    Learn More

How does EMDR work?

EMDR follows an eight-phase process that helps your brain organize memories so they feel less overwhelming. You’ll still remember what happened, but it will feel neutral or distant instead of emotionally intense. Your beliefs about yourself and your experience in the world will no longer be negatively shaped by the event. The process typically works like this:

  • First, we’ll explore your history, current stressors, and symptoms to understand how past events are affecting your present. This step allows us to create a clear, personalized plan that addresses your goals.

  • This phase helps you connect to your internal resources, strengths, and positive experiences. Using methods such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds, we apply a gentle form of bilateral stimulation to calm the nervous system and elevate the positive feelings connected to your inner resources.

  • We’ll identify specific memories, triggers, and beliefs to target, exploring the related images, emotions, thoughts, and body sensations. We will choose the memory or situation, or “target” to process first. 

  • Using bilateral stimulation, we reduce the intensity of distress from memories,  present triggers and  stuck negative beliefs. You remain in control throughout the process and can stop at any time.  

  • We’ll focus on strengthening supportive and grounding beliefs, like “I am enough,” with the target event in mind, until it feels true.

  • During this phase, any lingering physical tension or discomfort is reprocessed using bilateral stimulation. 

  • Each session ends with a review of tools to help you feel grounded, calm, and supported following processing.

  • This is how each new session begins after reprocessing. We will review your level of distress and we’ll review your progress, address any lingering distress, and plan together what to work on next.

EMDR Intensives

Sometimes, traditional weekly therapy isn’t enough to address specific challenges or fit into a busy schedule. EMDR Intensives provide a focused approach, allowing for deeper, more efficient progress in less time. By combining extended sessions with a structured process, EMDR Intensives help you maintain momentum and effectively reprocess stuck memories, moving you closer to your goals.

Who benefits from EMDR Intensives?

EMDR Intensives are ideal for individuals who are navigating specific challenges and want to make meaningful progress quickly, need supplemental support alongside their ongoing therapy, or have busy schedules or other needs that impact accessibility of long-term, regularly scheduled weekly sessions.

EMDR Intensives typically include:

  • In this 90-minute session, we will review your history, identify goals, and map out a clear plan for the intensive. This session also includes developing grounding and calming tools to help you feel prepared for the deeper work ahead.

  • Choose between two 3-hour sessions or four 90-minute sessions for a total of six hours of reprocessing. These sessions focus on reprocessing specific memories or concerns using the structured EMDR approach.

  • After the intensive, we’ll meet for a 30-minute follow-up session to review progress, address any remaining concerns, and plan your next steps in the healing process.

  • You’ll receive a comprehensive workbook and tools to support you before, during, and after your sessions.

Investment for EMDR Intensives

To balance accessibility for clients and the sustainability of my practice, WTC uses a system of mutual aid called an equitable pricing model.  

Clients are asked to self-select their rate based on the guidelines below, considering their financial situation and ability to contribute to mutual aid. 

Equitable Rate: $3000

For those with greater financial privilege, this rate supports the redistribution of resources, helping others through mutual aid.

Sustainable Rate: $2500

Reflects the standard cost of providing services in Maryland and ensures the long-term stability of this practice.

Accessible Rate: $2000

Designed to lower financial barriers, this rate supports equitable access to specialized therapy services.

Please note, A 50% deposit is required at the time of scheduling, with the remainder due at the end of the first processing session. 

For more information on equitable pricing, please review WTC’s Rates page or read “Embracing an Equitable Sliding Scale" by Britt Hawthorne.

If you require a more individualized payment plan, please reach out to discuss.

 FAQs about EMDR

  • The length of EMDR therapy depends on your goals and history. Some people experience relief after just a few sessions, while others may benefit from longer-term work, especially when addressing multiple concerns. During our initial consultation, we’ll discuss what feels right for you.

  • Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require you to analyze or discuss every detail of your experiences. Instead, it focuses on how memories are stored in your brain, helping reduce their emotional impact. EMDR is designed to allow your brain’s natural healing processes to take over.

  • Some clients feel temporary emotional intensity during or after sessions, but this is part of the healing process. We’ll work together to ensure you have tools and support to manage these feelings safely, and most clients find the long-term relief is worth it.

  • Before your intensive, we’ll meet for an assessment session to create a clear plan and develop grounding tools. You don’t need to do anything special to prepare, but it can help to reflect on what you’d like to focus on and bring any questions you have to our first meeting.

  • Yes! EMDR works just as well virtually as it does in person. Techniques like tapping and guided movements adapt seamlessly to online formats, so you can engage in therapy from the comfort of your own space.

  • EMDR is effective for a range of challenges, including PTSD, anxiety, grief, and stress. If you’re unsure, we’ll discuss your goals and concerns during an initial consultation to determine if EMDR is the best fit for you.