EMDR Therapists in North Tonawanda, NY

Creatively facilitating a safe and therapeutic environment for youth and adults, with a focus on trauma; using Art Therapy, EMDR and talk therapy, both online and in person. Art Therapy and EMDR are highly effective ways of expression for many who have experienced trauma and have mental health concerns. I believe that building rapport and trust is one of the most important parts of the therapeutic relationship.

I strive to meet my clients where they are at without judgment or expectation; to offer a guiding light in the storms of life and provide a safe harbor. My approach to therapy is to provide individuals with a person-centered and strengths-based partnership grounded in trauma-informed evidence-based practices including EMDR, IFS-informed Parts Work, and Animal-Assisted Therapy Interventions.

Currently I am only able to accept new clients that can be seen between the hours of 9:00 am- 1 pm. When we talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. - Fred Rogers

Current openings. www.jhigginscounseling.com/contact to request a free telephone consultation. Do you ever feel stuck? Find yourself worrying about the future? Or find yourself dwelling on or re-living events from the past? What about comparing yourself to others, or criticizing yourself or those around you? Maybe creating rules for yourself that feel limiting? You may have tried to solve these problems by getting rid of them, avoiding them, outsmarting them, or overpowering them. While natural, it's often unhelpful with thoughts, feelings, memories, sensations, and urges.

I believe any healing process involves the whole person. For over 25 years I have been practicing as a Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist, working with clients to improve their mental and emotional well-being. I am also passionate about physical health, and have extensive personal experience and knowledge related to the mind-body connection. I take an integrative and holistic perspective that includes, mind, body, spirit, and community, with a consistent focus on balance and universal needs.

Life can often be challenging. You may feel you've gotten "off track" and need some direction. You may be overwhelmed with things and don't know what to do or how to make it better. It may be starting to affect your relationships, and you don't know how to stop it. You may be wondering what's wrong with you and why this keeps happening, or whether you're depressed. Perhaps you're having panic attacks that come out of nowhere. Or maybe you seem to have developed social anxiety. Perhaps you just don't feel like yourself or aren't content with your life. You want things to be different, you just don't know how to make that happen. You might be wondering whether you're always going to feel this way. You've got a lot going for you, you've accomplished quite a bit, but it still feels like there's something missing. You're not sure what else to do. Most of us feel this way at some point in our lives. Especially when trying to handle the stress of life, relationships and the impact of certain events all at once.

I understand that it takes a great deal of courage to be vulnerable to others. Some of our life experiences can leave us with feelings of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and self-doubt.  Our responses to suffering and how we try to protect ourselves to avoid future pain can leave us feeling stuck. Despite our best efforts to change, obstacles can be difficult to overcome. I am dedicated to helping you heal, replace harsh self-talk with self-compassion, and connect to the internal strength you already have.

Due to the unexpected closing of River Art Gallery, I will not be taking on new clients at this time.

I am a trilingual Licensed Mental Health Therapist (English,French, Spanish) with experience working with children, adolescents and adults. I am trained in trauma resolution, CBT, and DBT. I have been practicing for over 14 years in various clinical and school settings, you can be certain that I will be a great source of support for referrals and advocacy needs. I am a solution-focused, person centered, strength-based and goal focused therapist. I use mostly evidence based practice therapy but my approach is holistic. Because I am solely working at my private practice, you can expect flexible individualized treatment.