The Top 7 EMDR Therapists In River Oaks, Houston 2026

When Your Nervous System Won’t “Move On,” Even in a Place Like River Oaks

From the outside, life in River Oaks can look ideal—successful career, beautiful neighborhood, full calendar. But inside, you might be carrying something very different:

• A surge of panic that comes out of nowhere

• Nightmares or flashes of images you wish you could forget

• A constant sense of alertness, even when nothing is actually wrong

You may have already tried traditional talk therapy. You understand your story, you can explain what happened, and you’ve learned to cope. But your body still feels like it’s stuck in survival mode.

This is where EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be especially powerful. EMDR is an evidence-based, brain-focused treatment that helps your nervous system finally digest overwhelming experiences, so they stop hijacking your present.

At Connect Clinical Services, located a short drive from River Oaks near Washington Ave and Memorial Park, our clinicians specialize in EMDR therapy, trauma treatment, and brain-based healing. Below, you’ll meet seven EMDR therapists who frequently work with River Oaks professionals, parents, and high-achieving adults who are done just “pushing through” and ready for deeper change.

Why River Oaks Residents Are Seeking Out EMDR Therapy

Life in a high-performance neighborhood often comes with high pressure—and when you add past trauma, loss, or chronic stress into the mix, symptoms tend to get louder over time:

• Startling easily or constantly “scanning the room”

• Difficulty relaxing, even on vacation or at home

• Big reactions to seemingly small triggers

• Feeling detached, numb, or unlike yourself

EMDR therapy near River Oaks can help with:

• PTSD and complex PTSD

• Childhood emotional, physical, or sexual abuse

• Traumatic medical events, accidents, or sudden loss

• Relationship and betrayal trauma

• Panic attacks and anxiety

• Trauma related to caregiving, first responder work, or high-stress careers

Rather than asking you to retell every detail, EMDR helps your brain reprocess these experiences so they no longer feel as sharp, overwhelming, or present. Many people notice fewer triggers, less reactivity, and a greater sense of internal calm.

Learn more about EMDR Therapy in Houston.

What Sets These EMDR Therapists Apart

Every EMDR therapist on this list:

• Is formally trained in EMDR Therapy

• Specializes in trauma, PTSD, or complex trauma

• Is comfortable working with busy professionals, executives, high-achieving parents, and creatives

• Integrates EMDR with other neuroscience- and body-based approaches when appropriate, such as Brainspotting, Neurofeedback, Somatic Experiencing, CBT, DBT, and IFS

All seven clinicians are part of Connect Clinical Services, a trauma-focused group practice serving River Oaks, The Heights, Montrose, Memorial, and greater Houston.

Meet the Top 7 EMDR Therapists Serving River Oaks

1. Guy Bender, LPC – Clinical Director and Trauma Specialist

Expertise: EMDR Therapy, Brainspotting, Neurofeedback, Complex Trauma, Treatment Placement

As the Clinical Director and founder of Connect Clinical Services, Guy Bender has built his career around trauma-informed, neuroscience-based therapy. With more than 16 years in the field, he frequently works with:

• High-functioning professionals who feel stuck in old patterns

• Complex trauma, dissociation, and long-standing nervous-system dysregulation

• Trauma related to addiction, family systems, or high-pressure roles

Guy’s work often includes:

• EMDR Therapy to target and reprocess traumatic memories

• Brainspotting Therapy in Houston to access deeper layers of stored emotional material

• Neurofeedback Therapy in Houston to support sleep, focus, and emotional regulation

Clients from River Oaks often seek Guy when they’ve “tried everything” but still feel like their body and brain haven’t fully caught up with what they know intellectually.

Explore:

• EMDR Therapy in Houston

• Neurofeedback Therapy in Houston

2. Shannon Tantillo, LCSW, LCDC, LCSW-S – EMDR for Trauma and Recovery

Expertise: CBT, DBT, EMDR, Trauma-Informed Yoga, Addiction & Recovery

Shannon Tantillo brings over three decades of experience to her work with trauma and recovery. She is especially well-suited for River Oaks clients who:

• Have a history of trauma layered with substance use or compulsive coping

• Feel overwhelmed by emotion and want practical tools for stability

• Are navigating both personal healing and family or relationship impact

Shannon integrates:

• EMDR Therapy for reprocessing traumatic experiences

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotion regulation and distress tolerance

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for shifting entrenched thought patterns

• Body awareness and trauma-informed yoga principles to support nervous-system balance

Her blend of directness, compassion, and skill makes her a strong match for clients who want both structure and warmth in their EMDR work.

3. Marina Erbstoesser, LMFT-S, LCDC, CSAT, CMAT-Tech – EMDR for Family and Relationship Trauma

Expertise: Family Systems, Addiction, DBT, ACT, Betrayal & Attachment Trauma

Marina Erbstoesser is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor and a certified sex addiction therapist who frequently helps individuals and families address trauma that shows up in relationships. She’s a good fit for River Oaks clients who are dealing with:

• Betrayal trauma or infidelity

• Addiction and compulsive behaviors within the family system

• Complex family histories, attachment wounds, and intergenerational stress

Marina’s approach often combines:

• EMDR Therapy to reduce the charge of betrayal and relational trauma

• Family systems work to address how trauma is reinforced in current relationships

• DBT and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients build boundaries, emotional stability, and values-based action

For clients whose trauma is deeply tied to trust, intimacy, and family roles, Marina offers a thoughtful, systems-oriented EMDR framework.

4. Vanessa Green, LPC, NCC – EMDR for Anxiety, Identity, and Grief

Expertise: EMDR, DBT, Multicultural Counseling, Anxiety and Self-Esteem

Vanessa Green is known for her warm, grounded presence and her ability to hold space for complex emotional experiences. She often works with:

• Anxiety and panic rooted in past experiences

• Grief and life transitions

• Identity-based stress, including cultural and racial trauma

• Boundary struggles and chronic people-pleasing

Vanessa weaves together:

• EMDR Therapy to help the brain release stuck emotional material

• DBT-informed strategies to strengthen emotion regulation and interpersonal skills

• Solution-focused and strengths-based approaches to build confidence and clarity

Her multicultural lens and whole-person approach make her a strong resource for River Oaks professionals and students who want to feel less reactive and more themselves.

Learn more about Individual Therapy in Houston.

5. Sarah McGinnis, LPC – EMDR, Somatic Work, and Narrative Healing

Expertise: Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Narrative Therapy, Spiritual/Existential Trauma

Sarah McGinnis is a good match for clients who feel like their trauma “lives in the body” as much as in their thoughts. She often supports people who experience:

• Chronic muscle tension or difficulty relaxing

• A sense of disconnection from their own body

• Spiritual or existential pain connected to trauma

• Stories about themselves that no longer feel true but still feel stuck

Sarah’s sessions may integrate:

• EMDR Therapy to reprocess distressing memories and images

• Somatic Experiencing to complete stuck fight/flight/freeze responses

• Narrative Therapy to help clients reshape their sense of self and meaning

For River Oaks residents used to living in their head, Sarah’s work can help reconnect mind, body, and story in a way that feels grounded and sustainable.

Discover more about Somatic Experiencing Therapy in Houston.

6. Tyler Lemmons, LMSW – EMDR for Grief, Loss, and Religious Trauma

Expertise: EMDR, Grief Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care

Tyler Lemmons offers a calm, attuned presence that can make EMDR feel safer for clients who are afraid of “opening everything up.” She frequently works with:

• Grief and complicated loss

• Religious or spiritual trauma

• Early attachment ruptures and family-of-origin pain

• Emotional numbing, dissociation, or feeling shut down

Tyler’s approach includes:

• EMDR Therapy for both single-event and chronic trauma

• Mindfulness, grounding, and somatic awareness to stay within a tolerable window of arousal

• Trauma-informed pacing that emphasizes choice, collaboration, and safety

For River Oaks clients who are carrying quiet, heavy grief or spiritual wounds, Tyler provides a steady container for EMDR work.

7. Ryan Bruce, LMSW – EMDR with Depth-Oriented Insight

Expertise: Psychodynamic Therapy, Addictions, Mentalization-Based Therapy

Ryan Bruce bridges EMDR with depth-oriented therapy for clients who want to understand themselves more fully while reducing symptoms. He has significant experience helping clients with:

• Addiction and substance use

• Depression, anxiety, and long-standing shame

• Persistent relational patterns that trace back to earlier experiences

• Feeling “successful on paper” but emotionally disconnected or empty

Ryan often combines:

• EMDR Therapy to lower the emotional intensity of key experiences

• Psychodynamic and mentalization-based approaches to explore how those experiences shaped beliefs, expectations, and relationships

• Relational work to support healthier, more secure connection with others

For River Oaks professionals who want both nervous-system relief and deep insight, Ryan’s blend of EMDR and depth work can be a strong fit.

Brain-Based and Somatic Trauma Care Near River Oaks

While this article focuses on EMDR, most of the clinicians at Connect Clinical Services also draw from additional brain- and body-based approaches, including:

• EMDR Therapy – A structured, evidence-based method for processing trauma

• Brainspotting Therapy in Houston – Uses eye position to access deeply stored emotional material

• Neurofeedback Therapy in Houston – Trains brainwave patterns related to focus, calm, and resilience

• Somatic Experiencing – Helps complete stuck survival responses in the body

• Trauma Therapy in Houston – Integrates EMDR, IFS, CBT, DBT, and more for comprehensive trauma care

This integrated model is particularly helpful for River Oaks clients whose trauma shows up in both mind and body—sleep issues, tension, irritability, or feeling like the nervous system is always “on.”

How to Choose an EMDR Therapist in River Oaks

When you’re deciding which EMDR therapist is the right fit, consider:

• Training and focus

  • Are they specifically trained in EMDR and trauma, not just general talk therapy?

• Modality mix

  • Can they integrate EMDR with somatic work, skills-based therapies (CBT/DBT), or brain-based tools when needed?

• Pacing and safety

  • Do they emphasize resourcing, grounding, and going at a pace that feels manageable?

• Fit with your lifestyle and identity

  • Do they understand the demands of your work, family, and community context? Do you feel seen and respected?

All EMDR clinicians at Connect Clinical Services are trauma-informed, nervous-system aware, and experienced in working with high-responsibility, high-performing clients from areas like River Oaks, Memorial, and The Heights.

Start EMDR Therapy Near River Oaks With Connect Clinical Services

You do not have to keep living with intrusive thoughts, constant vigilance, or a body that reacts like it is still in danger.

At Connect Clinical Services, you’ll find:

• A convenient central location at 8100 Washington Ave, Suite 170 — a short drive from River Oaks, Memorial Park, and Uptown

• Telehealth sessions across Texas, including EMDR-adapted care

• A team of EMDR therapists skilled in trauma, nervous-system regulation, and integrative healing

If you live in River Oaks and are considering EMDR therapy, we can help you connect with the clinician whose style, background, and specialties best match what you are carrying.

Contact us to schedule a consultation and get matched with an EMDR therapist near River Oaks who can support your next step.

FAQs About EMDR Therapists in River Oaks

Is EMDR therapy different for River Oaks clients than for anyone else in Houston?

The EMDR process itself is the same, but your therapist will always take your context and lifestyle into account—high-pressure careers, caregiving demands, privacy concerns, and the pace of life in neighborhoods like River Oaks. Treatment is adapted to your schedule, stress load, and goals.

How long does EMDR usually take before I notice a difference?

Some clients begin to notice shifts—fewer triggers, slightly less intensity, or improved sleep—within 6–10 sessions. More complex histories can take longer. In your early sessions, your therapist will help you build a realistic plan based on your symptoms and what you are hoping to change.

Do I have to talk about everything that happened for EMDR to work?

Not in detail. Your therapist will need enough information to target the right memories or themes, but EMDR does not require you to go through every moment of your trauma out loud. Much of the processing work happens internally as your brain reorganizes the memory network.

Can EMDR be done via telehealth if I live in River Oaks but travel often?

Yes, in many cases. EMDR can be adapted for secure online sessions using alternate forms of bilateral stimulation (like taps, tones, or visual cues on the screen). Your therapist will work with you to determine whether in-person, telehealth, or a hybrid schedule makes the most sense.

Do I have to have PTSD to see an EMDR therapist?

No. Clients from River Oaks often seek EMDR not just for PTSD, but for:

• Ongoing anxiety and panic

• Grief and sudden loss

• Betrayal or relational trauma

• Childhood experiences that still influence how they react today

You do not need a formal diagnosis to start EMDR at Connect Clinical Services. We focus on your lived experience, current symptoms, and goals for the future.