When Talk Therapy Isn’t Enough, EMDR Therapy Can Move What’s Stuck
You’ve done the work. You’ve talked about what happened. You understand your patterns. Maybe traditional talk therapy has helped you function better — but deep down, something still feels stuck.
Flashbacks. Sudden waves of shame. Nightmares that won’t fully go away. A startle response that feels bigger than the situation in front of you.
That’s where EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can make a profound difference. EMDR is an evidence-based, brain-focused therapy designed to help your nervous system finally finish processing experiences that were too overwhelming at the time. It’s used worldwide to treat PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, panic, and other trauma-related symptoms.
At Connect Clinical Services, our team includes some of the top EMDR therapists in Houston — clinicians who combine EMDR with brain-based and somatic therapies such as Brainspotting, Neurofeedback, Somatic Experiencing, and IFS to support deep, lasting change.
Below, you’ll meet seven EMDR specialists in Houston who are part of the Connect Clinical Services team and are known for their trauma-informed expertise, nervous-system focus, and compassionate care.
Why More People in Houston Are Turning to EMDR Therapy
For many clients, EMDR can help when:
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You intellectually know you’re safe now, but your body still reacts like you’re in danger.
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You’re tired of being hijacked by memories, images, or sensations you didn’t choose.
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You’ve tried to “talk it out,” but your nervous system still feels stuck in fight, flight, or freeze.
EMDR Therapy in Houston can help with:
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PTSD and complex PTSD
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Childhood emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
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Medical trauma, accidents, and sudden losses
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Relationship and betrayal trauma
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Panic attacks and anxiety
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First responder, military, and healthcare-related trauma
Instead of forcing you to retell every detail, EMDR helps your brain reprocess what happened so it no longer feels as vivid, threatening, or overwhelming. Over time, many people report fewer triggers, less intensity, and a greater sense of calm and control.
Learn more about EMDR Therapy in Houston.
How We Selected These Top EMDR Therapists in Houston
Every therapist on this list is:
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Formally trained in EMDR Therapy and uses it regularly in their clinical work
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Experienced in working with trauma, PTSD, or complex trauma
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Comfortable supporting high-functioning professionals, caregivers, and adults with big responsibilities
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Skilled in combining EMDR with other brain-based, somatic, or trauma-informed approaches
All seven therapists are part of the Connect Clinical Services team and share a commitment to client safety, nervous-system awareness, and evidence-based care.
The Top 7 EMDR Therapists in Houston
1. Guy Bender, LPC – Clinical Director & EMDR Trauma Specialist
Expertise: EMDR Therapy, Brainspotting, Neurofeedback, Complex Trauma, Treatment Placement
As the founder and Clinical Director of Connect Clinical Services, Guy Bender, LPC, brings more than 16 years of experience in trauma-focused and neuroscience-informed care.
Guy specializes in:
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Complex trauma and PTSD
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High-functioning professionals who “hold it all together” on the outside
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Trauma related to addiction, family systems, and early attachment wounds
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Cases needing thoughtful treatment placement or multi-level care planning
In EMDR sessions, Guy integrates:
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EMDR Therapy to reprocess distressing memories and reduce emotional intensity
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Brainspotting Therapy to access deeper layers of stored trauma and activation
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Neurofeedback Therapy to calm hyperarousal, improve sleep, and support nervous-system regulation
Clients often seek Guy when they’ve already “done a lot of therapy” but still feel like their body and brain haven’t fully caught up with their insight.
Learn more about EMDR Therapy in Houston or Neurofeedback Therapy in Houston.
2. Shannon Tantillo, LCSW, LCDC, LCSW-S – EMDR for Trauma & Recovery
Expertise: CBT, DBT, EMDR, Trauma-Informed Yoga, Addiction & Recovery
With more than 30 years in the mental health field, Shannon Tantillo offers a rare combination of clinical depth and grounded warmth. She frequently works with clients navigating:
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PTSD and complex trauma
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Substance use and recovery
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Emotional dysregulation and self-destructive patterns
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Family systems impacted by addiction or long-term stress
Shannon’s approach integrates:
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EMDR Therapy for trauma processing and memory reprocessing
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotion regulation and distress tolerance
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for shifting unhelpful beliefs and thought patterns
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Trauma-informed yoga principles and body awareness to support nervous-system settling
Clients appreciate her direct yet compassionate style — she is skilled at holding space for intense emotions while teaching practical tools for staying regulated between sessions.
3. Marina Erbstoesser, LMFT-S, LCDC, CSAT, CMAT-Tech – EMDR for Family & Relationship Trauma
Expertise: Family Systems, Addiction & Recovery, DBT, ACT, Trauma & Betrayal
Marina Erbstoesser is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor and a certified sex addiction therapist (CSAT) who has spent years helping individuals and families heal from relational and attachment trauma.
She is particularly well-suited for clients dealing with:
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Betrayal trauma and infidelity
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Addiction and compulsive behaviors
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High-conflict family or couple dynamics
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Developmental and relational trauma carried into adulthood
Marina often blends:
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EMDR Therapy for trauma and betrayal
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Family systems work to address how trauma moves through families and relationships
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DBT and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to build stability, boundaries, and values-driven action
For clients whose trauma is closely tied to relationships, trust, and family systems, Marina brings a structured yet deeply empathetic approach.
4. Vanessa Green, LPC, NCC – EMDR for Anxiety, Identity, and Grief
Expertise: EMDR, DBT, Multicultural Counseling, Self-Esteem & Anxiety
Vanessa Green combines clinical skill with a warm, empowering presence. She frequently works with:
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Anxiety and panic related to past experiences
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Grief and loss
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Identity-based stress, including cultural and racial trauma
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Boundary issues and people-pleasing rooted in early experiences
In her work, Vanessa integrates:
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EMDR Therapy to help the nervous system release stuck experiences
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DBT-informed strategies for emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness
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Solution-focused and strengths-based approaches to build confidence and momentum
Her multicultural lens and holistic view of mental health make her a strong fit for Houston’s diverse community of professionals, creatives, and students seeking deeper healing and self-trust.
Explore more about Individual Therapy in Houston.
5. Sarah McGinnis, LPC – EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, and Narrative Healing
Expertise: Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Narrative Therapy, Spiritual/Existential Trauma
Sarah McGinnis helps clients connect what they know with what they actually feel. Many of her clients come in with:
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Long-term physical tension or chronic stress symptoms
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Spiritual or existential pain related to past trauma
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Histories of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
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A sense of being “stuck” in old stories about who they are
Sarah blends:
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EMDR Therapy to reprocess traumatic memories
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Somatic Experiencing to release stored activation in the body
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Narrative Therapy to help clients re-author their stories and identities
Clients often describe her work as grounding, gentle, and deeply transformative — especially when they’ve been carrying trauma in their body for many years.
Learn more about Somatic Experiencing Therapy in Houston.
6. Tyler Lemmons, LMSW – EMDR for Grief, Loss, and Religious Trauma
Expertise: EMDR, Grief Counseling, Trauma-Informed Care
Tyler Lemmons is known for her calm, attuned presence and her ability to sit with clients through intense grief and complexity. She often supports people who are navigating:
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Loss of a loved one or ambiguous grief
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Religious or spiritual trauma
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Early attachment wounds and complex family histories
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Emotional numbing, dissociation, or feeling “shut down”
Tyler uses:
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EMDR Therapy to process both “big T” and “small t” traumas tied to grief and identity
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Mindfulness and grounding techniques to help clients stay present in their body
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Trauma-informed pacing focused on safety, choice, and collaboration
For clients who worry that revisiting pain will be “too much,” Tyler offers a steady, regulated presence that helps make the work feel more manageable and humane.
7. Ryan Bruce, LMSW – EMDR with Depth-Oriented Insight
Expertise: Psychodynamic Therapy, Addictions, Mentalization-Based Therapy
Ryan Bruce works well with clients who want both insight and nervous-system change. He has extensive experience treating:
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Addiction and substance use
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Depression, anxiety, and chronic shame
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Long-standing relational patterns that trace back to early experiences
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“High-functioning” adults who feel empty or unfulfilled inside
Ryan often integrates:
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EMDR Therapy to reduce the emotional charge of key experiences
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Psychodynamic and mentalization-based therapy to understand how those experiences shaped beliefs and relationships
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Relational work to help clients feel safer connecting with others in the present
This combination allows clients to not only feel less triggered, but also understand themselves in a deeper, more compassionate way.
EMDR and Other Brain-Based Modalities at Connect Clinical Services
While this blog focuses on EMDR therapists in Houston, most of our clinicians combine EMDR with additional brain-based and somatic modalities to support durable change. At Connect Clinical Services, you’ll find:
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EMDR Therapy – For reprocessing trauma and distressing experiences
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Brainspotting Therapy in Houston – To access deeper layers of stored emotional pain through eye positions
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Neurofeedback Therapy in Houston – To train brainwave patterns associated with calm, focus, and resilience
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Somatic Experiencing – To help complete stuck fight/flight/freeze responses in the body
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Trauma Therapy in Houston – Integrating EMDR, IFS, CBT, DBT, and other approaches for comprehensive care
This integrative model is especially powerful for clients with complex trauma, chronic stress, or symptoms that show up in both mind and body.
Learn more about:
What to Look For in an EMDR Therapist in Houston
When you’re choosing an EMDR therapist in Houston, consider:
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Formal EMDR training – Have they completed EMDR basic training and ongoing consultation?
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Trauma focus – Do they specialize in trauma/PTSD, or just “do a little bit of everything”?
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Modality integration – Can they combine EMDR with somatic work, skills training (CBT/DBT), or brain-based tools if needed?
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Pacing and safety – Do they talk about going at your pace, building resources, and keeping your nervous system in a tolerable range?
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Relational fit – Do you feel respected, heard, and not rushed?
All of the EMDR therapists at Connect Clinical Services are trauma-informed, nervous-system aware, and skilled in pacing the work so it feels challenging but not overwhelming.
Start EMDR Therapy in Houston With Connect Clinical Services
You don’t have to keep managing your symptoms alone or wondering why you “can’t just get over it.”
At Connect Clinical Services, we offer:
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A central Houston location at 8100 Washington Ave, Suite 170 (serving The Heights, Montrose, River Oaks, Memorial, and beyond)
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Telehealth sessions across Texas for EMDR-informed trauma care
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A team of EMDR therapists who understand both the science and the human side of healing
If you’re ready to explore whether EMDR is right for you, we can help you find the therapist who best fits your story, your goals, and your nervous system.
Contact us to schedule a consultation and get matched with an EMDR therapist in Houston who can support your next step.
FAQs About EMDR Therapists in Houston
Is EMDR safe?
Yes. EMDR is an evidence-based therapy used worldwide for trauma and PTSD. At Connect Clinical Services, EMDR is always done within a trauma-informed, client-centered framework, with careful attention to pacing, stabilization, and your nervous-system capacity. You remain in control of the process at all times.
How many EMDR sessions do people usually need?
It varies. Some clients notice meaningful changes in 6–10 sessions, while complex trauma or long-term patterns may require several months or more of EMDR-informed work. In your first few sessions, your therapist will help you build a plan based on your symptoms, history, and goals.
Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail for EMDR to work?
Not necessarily. One of the strengths of EMDR is that you don’t have to describe every detail out loud. Your therapist needs enough context to target the right memories or themes, but the actual reprocessing work happens through your brain’s internal networks — not through retelling everything verbally.
Can EMDR Therapy be done online?
In many cases, yes. EMDR can be adapted for secure telehealth using alternate forms of bilateral stimulation (like taps or tones) instead of eye movements alone. Your therapist will help determine whether in-person or online EMDR is the best fit for your symptoms and safety.
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to see an EMDR therapist?
No. You don’t need an official PTSD diagnosis to begin EMDR Therapy. Many clients seek EMDR for:
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“Unfinished” experiences that still hurt
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Chronic anxiety and panic
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Grief, loss, or betrayal
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Childhood experiences that still shape their reactions today
We’ll focus on your symptoms, goals, and lived experience — not just labels.
