PTSD Therapy and EMDR | Think, Feel, and Heal Therapy

What PTSD therapy involves, and how to start

PTSD therapy is support for adults who are living with the lasting effects of a frightening or overwhelming event. Think, Feel, and Heal Therapy offers it in Scottsdale, Arizona, and online, using EMDR and other trauma-informed approaches. This page explains in plain words what the work can look like.

What PTSD means:

PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder. It is a name for a set of reactions that can follow a very hard experience and stay for a long time afterward. People describe these reactions in different ways. Some have memories or images that come back without warning. Some avoid reminders. Some feel tense, jumpy or numb, or find it hard to sleep. A page cannot tell you whether you have PTSD. Only a licensed professional can do that, after talking with you. You do not need a label to ask for help. If the past keeps showing up in your present, that is enough.

How therapy for PTSD can help:

Therapy for PTSD usually begins with building trust and a sense of steadiness. Many people find that having a clear plan, and the choice to slow down, makes the work feel more manageable. From there, the work focuses on the experience and how it affects daily life. The practice offers EMDR, CBT, DBT and other trauma informed therapies, and you talk through together what fits. Progress looks different for everyone, and no therapist can promise a specific result.

EMDR and PTSD:

EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, is the practice's primary approach, and the therapist is certified in it. Major organizations, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, describe EMDR as one of the therapies used with PTSD. In a session, you bring a memory to mind while following guided eye movements or another back and forth cue. The aim is to let the brain reprocess the memory so that it feels less overwhelming. Some people find they do not need to share every detail aloud. Your therapist explains each step before you start.

You set the pace:

Starting therapy after a frightening experience can feel like a big step. You do not have to be ready to talk about everything. Many people begin with what feels safest, such as how the past is affecting sleep, work or relationships, and go from there. Your therapist checks in along the way and adjusts when something feels like too much. You can pause, ask questions or change direction.

Getting started:

The first session is a conversation about what brought you in and what you hope for. You can ask anything about how the work goes. Before it, new clients complete intake and consent forms in SimplePractice or Headway. There is no need to describe your experience in writing ahead of time.

Sessions, fees and insurance

Online sessions are available Monday through Friday. In-person sessions are on Thursdays at 9929 North 95th Street, Suite 101, Scottsdale, AZ 85258. Fees are $130 to $150 per session. The practice is in network with several plans, including United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna and Optum, and can help you check your coverage. Coverage varies by plan and state, so it is worth asking.

Trauma can sometimes show up as what people call PTSD or anxiety. If one of those sounds closer to what you are living with, see our page on PTSD therapy or our page on anxiety therapy. Only a licensed professional can talk with you about what fits your situation.

Take the next step. Contact the practice to ask about a first session. Call 559-466-9722, write to feelthinkheal@gmail.com or use the form on the Contact page. If you are in crisis or need urgent support, please call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.