What Is EMDR Therapy and How It Helps
EMDR Therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a proven psychotherapy approach designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. For individuals in Saint Petersburg, FL who are struggling with trauma, anxiety, PTSD, or deeply rooted emotional pain, EMDR Therapy offers a structured path to healing. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR Therapy facilitates healing by activating both hemispheres of the brain through guided bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones.
Elizabeth Handy, MS, LCPC, EMDR-C, Brainspotting-C, provides EMDR Therapy in Saint Petersburg, FL with a trauma-informed and compassionate approach. With over 20 years of clinical experience and a background as a paramedic and lieutenant training officer, she deeply understands the physiological and psychological impact of trauma. Her use of EMDR Therapy allows clients to safely revisit and process past experiences that have become stuck in the nervous system.
Many clients begin EMDR Therapy with symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, or emotional numbness. Through EMDR Therapy, these symptoms often diminish significantly, giving way to a more grounded sense of self and improved emotional regulation. This evidence-based technique is highly effective in the treatment of PTSD, anxiety, complex grief, and other disorders stemming from unresolved trauma.
If you are seeking an EMDR Therapist in Saint Petersburg, FL, Elizabeth Handy’s practice—EMDR and Psychotherapy—offers a calm, private space where you can begin your journey toward healing. Whether you’ve experienced childhood trauma, recent loss, or emotional overwhelm, EMDR Therapy can help you reprocess painful memories so they no longer control your emotional responses.
Incorporating EMDR Therapy into your mental health plan may be one of the most transformative decisions you make. With sessions personalized to your experience and pace, you are always in control. For those in FL, Florida, EMDR Therapy is accessible both in-person and virtually. Begin healing today with the guidance of a licensed and certified EMDR Specialist.
Get Started TodayYour healing journey matters to me.
I offer in-person sessions at my Georgetown, Texas office, but most clients meet with me online. I’m licensed in Texas, Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and Florida—so if you're in one of these states, we can absolutely work together from the comfort of your own space.
Who Benefits from EMDR Therapy in Saint Petersburg, FL?
EMDR Therapy is widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, but its benefits extend far beyond that. In Saint Petersburg, FL, individuals from all walks of life seek out EMDR Therapy for issues such as:
- Complex trauma and childhood abuse
- Sexual assault and domestic violence recovery
- Anxiety and panic disorders
- Depression linked to unresolved trauma
- Grief and loss
- Performance anxiety and phobias
Elizabeth Handy, a Certified EMDR Therapist in Saint Petersburg, FL, helps clients reprocess harmful beliefs such as "I'm not safe" or "I'm not good enough." These beliefs are often the residue of past experiences, and EMDR Therapy works to shift them into healthier, more balanced perspectives.
If you're looking for a trauma-informed EMDR Therapy Specialist in Saint Petersburg, FL, Elizabeth’s integrative approach may be the right fit. Clients appreciate her steady, grounded presence and her deep clinical understanding of the neurobiology of trauma. Sessions are paced gently, ensuring that each step is tolerable and effective.
Whether you're navigating PTSD, childhood trauma, or anxiety that seems unshakable, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy offers a unique and transformative approach to healing. It is not about reliving trauma; it's about rewiring how your brain and body hold it.
Call Now: (443) 534-1142What to Expect from EMDR Therapy Sessions
EMDR Therapy follows an eight-phase treatment process. In your initial sessions with Elizabeth Handy, your emotional history and personal goals will be reviewed in a safe and nonjudgmental setting. As a licensed EMDR Therapist in Saint Petersburg, FL, Elizabeth will guide you through:
- History-taking and treatment planning
- Preparation and building emotional resources
- Assessment of target memory and associated beliefs
- Desensitization using bilateral stimulation
- Installation of positive beliefs
- Body scan to release residual tension
- Closure with grounding techniques
- Reevaluation of progress
Each session is tailored to your specific needs and comfort level. Elizabeth’s expertise in Trauma Recovery EMDR Therapy allows for a flexible approach that honors your pace and supports your readiness. You don’t need to go into every painful detail—EMDR Therapy is designed to minimize retraumatization.
In-person and virtual sessions are available for those looking for EMDR Therapy for Trauma in Saint Petersburg, FL. Remote options still maintain the power of bilateral stimulation using auditory tones or guided methods, making this approach effective even for clients who prefer to heal from home.
Sessions are typically 50–60 minutes long, and many clients report noticeable shifts within the first few weeks. Elizabeth provides support materials and coping tools to use between sessions, ensuring consistent progress and emotional safety. Her therapeutic environment fosters long-term transformation, not just symptom relief.
Get Started TodayWhy Choose Elizabeth Handy for EMDR Therapy in Saint Petersburg, FL?
Elizabeth Handy is a trusted and experienced EMDR Therapist in Saint Petersburg, FL, known for her clinical excellence and trauma-sensitive care. She holds certifications in both EMDR and Brainspotting, offering clients an integrative path to deep healing. With over two decades in private practice and real-world experience in emergency response, Elizabeth brings both professionalism and compassion to every session.
At EMDR and Psychotherapy, Elizabeth works one-on-one with each client, ensuring personalized attention and a strong therapeutic alliance. You’re not just another appointment—you’re a human being with a story that deserves to be heard and healed. As a Certified EMDR Therapist in Saint Petersburg, FL, she honors each person’s trauma journey with care, skill, and integrity.
Searching for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy in Saint Petersburg, FL? Elizabeth’s sessions are grounded in the latest neuroscience and best practices in trauma therapy. Clients often describe her work as life-changing. If you’re tired of talk therapy alone and need a new approach, EMDR may offer the breakthroughs you’ve been looking for.
To get started, schedule an initial consultation with Elizabeth Handy through the EMDR and Psychotherapy website. Whether you’re recovering from PTSD, trauma, or overwhelming anxiety, this therapy can restore your nervous system’s capacity to feel calm, connected, and resilient.
EMDR Therapy in Saint Petersburg, FL could be the path that leads you back to yourself. Reclaim peace. Rebuild your future. Begin today.
Call Now: (443) 534-1142Ready to Begin Your
Healing Journey?
Take the first step toward recovery and rediscovery. Contact me today to schedule a consultation and explore how my specialized therapies can help you overcome trauma and reclaim your life.
Get Started TodayWhat our clients say
Elizabeth has been a part of our lives for the last several years and has made a huge impact that has led to a much more enriched life. We couldn’t be more grateful for finding her.
- Manny & Nicole ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I have had two sessions so far and I’ve noticed a big change in how I feel & think. Brainspotting is a very powerful treatment even if it appears to be simple. I wish more people knew that this was an option. Definitely recommend.
- Sarah ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It’s her honesty that’s so refreshing. Elizabeth is a very caring person, not cold or technical. She's warm and loving.
- Anne ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Your treatment has a beginning, middle and end and we will take the first step together.
Conditions I treat
- Physical and emotional trauma and Complex PTSD
- Postpartum depression
- Couples therapy
- Birth trauma
- Performance anxiety (public speaking, sports, creative arts)
- Victims of crime, industrial injuries, motor vehicle crashes, and natural/ manmade disasters
- Dissociative and attachment disorders
- Depression, panic and anxiety
- Cancer and medical trauma
- Phobias
- Recovery from injury, accident, and medical trauma
- Preparation and recovery from surgery
- Stress and trauma-related illness
- Sexual dysfunction
- Combat trauma
- Abuse & neglect
- Grief and loss
- Trauma
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