Online EMDR Trauma Therapy in New Jersey | Virtual & In-Person EMDR in Short Hills
Trauma has a way of staying with us long after the moment has passed. It shows up in sleepless nights, in relationships that feel harder than they should, in moments when your body reacts before your mind even catches up. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone — and you do not have to keep living this way.
At Light Street Psychotherapy in Short Hills, NJ, our certified therapists offer EMDR therapy — one of the most researched and effective treatments for trauma available today — both in person and virtually across all of New Jersey and Florida.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is an extensively researched, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals recover from trauma and relieve the symptoms of PTSD.
What makes EMDR different from traditional talk therapy is this — you do not have to describe your traumatic experiences in detail. EMDR works by facilitating your brain’s own natural healing process, helping you move past the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that keep you feeling stuck.
Think of it this way. When something overwhelming happens, the brain sometimes cannot process it normally. The memory gets frozen — and keeps showing up in your life as anxiety, flashbacks, panic, or deep pain. EMDR gently helps your brain go back to those stuck memories and process them the way they were always meant to be processed — so they no longer hold the same power over you.
EMDR is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a gold-standard treatment for trauma and PTSD.
How Does EMDR Work at Light Street Psychotherapy?
At Light Street, we use a proven eight-phase EMDR approach to ensure your healing is consistent, safe, and deeply effective. Our clinical approach focuses on four core areas:
- Unblocking memories — helping your brain process the traumatic or “stuck” memories that are affecting your daily life
- Targeting root causes — addressing the memory networks that negatively influence how you see yourself and the world around you
- Standardized protocols — following a carefully structured eight-phase process so your healing is always safe and supported
- Adaptive healing — transforming painful experiences into wisdom and growth that serves your life going forward
You are never rushed. You are never pushed further than you are ready to go. Your therapist moves at your pace, always.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR?
EMDR is a versatile and powerful tool that works for a wide range of experiences. At Light Street we use EMDR to help clients heal from:
- Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD) — whether from a single event or a lifetime of difficult experiences
- Anxiety and panic attacks — ongoing anxiety, sudden panic episodes, and the physical symptoms that come with them
- Recovery from abuse — healing from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse at any stage of life
- Childhood trauma — early experiences that still affect how you feel, think, and relate to others today
- Relationship trauma — betrayal, toxic relationships, infidelity, emotional abuse
- Accident and injury PTSD — car accidents, medical trauma, sudden health crises
- Grief and loss — traumatic or complicated grief that feels impossible to move through
- Negative self-beliefs — persistent feelings of shame, worthlessness, or self-doubt rooted in past experiences
We want you to know this — no trauma is too small to deserve care. If something hurt you, it matters.
In-Person EMDR Therapy in Short Hills, NJ
Our Short Hills office is a warm, calm, and welcoming space where you can feel safe doing deep healing work. In-person EMDR sessions use traditional eye movement bilateral stimulation guided carefully by your therapist.
Many clients find that the in-person experience adds an important layer of connection and grounding — especially when processing difficult memories. Sitting with your therapist, feeling their calm and presence, can make a real difference.
We are conveniently located and serve clients in person from Short Hills, Millburn, Springfield, Maplewood, South Orange, Summit, Madison, Chatham, Livingston, Florham Park, Westfield, Cranford, Whippany, Berkeley Heights, Union, Scotch Plains, Morristown, New Providence, and Mountainside.
Virtual EMDR Therapy — Available Across All of New Jersey and Florida
Yes — EMDR works online, and our therapists are specifically trained to deliver it virtually.
Using secure, HIPAA-compliant video platforms, our therapists guide you through the full EMDR process from wherever you are — your home, your office, or anywhere you feel comfortable and private. Screen-based bilateral stimulation tools replace the in-office eye movements and are equally effective.
Virtual EMDR is a wonderful option if you:
- Live further from our Short Hills office
- Have a busy schedule and need flexibility
- Feel more relaxed and open doing deep work from home
- Are a parent with young children who needs convenience
- Live anywhere in New Jersey or Florida
The healing happens inside you — the location is simply the container.
What Does a First EMDR Session Feel Like?
We know starting therapy — especially for trauma — can feel intimidating. So here is what to expect when you work with our team at Light Street.
Your first session is never about diving straight into difficult memories. We take time to get to know you, understand your history, and most importantly help you feel completely safe. EMDR has a careful preparation phase where your therapist teaches you grounding and calming techniques before any trauma processing begins.
Many of our clients tell us they were surprised by how gentle EMDR felt — and how much shifted even after just a few sessions. This is the power of working with your brain’s natural healing ability rather than against it.
Our Therapists
At Light Street Psychotherapy, you will work with a team of highly trained, licensed therapists who are certified in EMDR and deeply committed to your healing. Our team includes Meredith Strauss LCSW, Gina Totino LCSW, Randi Gelfand LCSW, Kathleen Murphy LPC, Donna Scro Samori LCSW, Abigail Marshall LCSW, Hunter Tarvin LCSW, Tammie Maitlin LSW, and Alyssa Dordoni LAC.
Every one of our therapists brings warmth, expertise, and a genuine belief that healing is possible — no matter where you are starting from.
For more information on the clinical definition of EMDR please visit: emdria.org
Frequently Asked Questions
How many EMDR sessions will I need? Every person’s journey is different. Some clients notice meaningful shifts in as few as 6 to 12 sessions. Others with more complex or long-standing trauma benefit from a longer course of treatment. Your therapist will create a plan that fits your unique needs and pace.
Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail? No — and this is one of the things clients love most about EMDR. You do not have to describe your experience in detail. Your brain does the healing work, guided by your therapist, without requiring you to relive everything out loud.
Is EMDR safe? Yes. EMDR is a well-researched, evidence-based therapy used safely for over 30 years and recommended by major health organizations worldwide.
Can I combine EMDR with other therapy? Absolutely. EMDR works beautifully alongside individual therapy, couples therapy, DBT, IFS, and other approaches we offer at Light Street.
Areas We Serve
In-Person and Telehealth: Short Hills, Millburn, Springfield, Maplewood, South Orange, Summit, Madison, Chatham, Livingston, Florham Park, Westfield, Cranford, Whippany, Berkeley Heights, Union, Scotch Plains, Morristown, New Providence, Mountainside.
Telehealth Only: All of Florida.
You Deserve to Feel Free
Trauma does not have to be your forever story. With the right support, the right approach, and a team that truly cares, healing is absolutely possible.
At Light Street Psychotherapy we are honored to walk alongside you — whether you come to us in Short Hills or connect with us online from anywhere in New Jersey or Florida.
Your first step is simply a conversation. We offer a free phone consultation with no commitment and no pressure.
📞 Call us: (973) 544-8617 ✉️ Email: meredithstrausssocialworker@gmail.com 🌐 www.lightstreetpsychotherapy.com
Light Street Psychotherapy | Short Hills, NJ “Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.”