EMDR Therapy:
Transforming the Past, Empowering the Present
Many people think of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) as a treatment only for trauma. While it is highly effective for PTSD, EMDR can also help with the experiences that shaped depression, anxiety, and even patterns in relationships. Often, the challenges we face today are connected to earlier moments when we felt powerless, unsafe, or unseen. EMDR helps the brain reprocess those memories so they no longer drive your emotions or relationships in the present.
How I Use EMDR in Therapy
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I’ll guide you to bring up a memory or experience connected to how you’re feeling today.
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While you focus on it, we'll use gentle left–right stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds).
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This helps calm the amygdala (the brain’s alarm system) while strengthening connections with areas that regulate logic and perspective, so the memory is no longer experienced as a current threat and can be stored more adaptively.
How EMDR Can Help You
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Trauma and PTSD — healing the aftereffects of overwhelming experiences
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Depression — addressing the roots in earlier losses, failures, or feelings of worthlessness
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Anxiety and panic — reducing the fear responses shaped by past experiences
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Relationship struggles — working through attachment wounds, rejection, or betrayal
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Negative self-beliefs — shifting patterns like “I’m not good enough” or “I’ll always be abandoned”
What You May Notice
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The memory feels more distant and less charged
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A greater sense of calm in your body and emotions
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Relief from repeating cycles of anxiety, sadness, or conflict
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New, healthier perspectives about yourself and your relationships
EMDR isn’t about forgetting what happened—it’s about helping you carry it differently, so you can move forward with more peace, confidence, and freedom.
If you’re ready to begin, contact me today to learn more about how EMDR can help you.
About Me
Sarah B. Goldman, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
My Approach
I use EMDR and mind-body approaches to help people heal from distress that often stems from past experiences, even when we're not fully aware of their influence. I'm passionate about supporting clients as they uncover and work through old wounds that continue to shape their present thoughts, feelings, and relationships.
EMDR goes beyond talk therapy by engaging the body’s natural healing processes to resolve distress at a somatic and emotional level. As they progress through EMDR, people often find themselves thinking, feeling, and responding in new ways—sometimes to their own surprise—as unprocessed experiences lose their grip on the present.
I also believe in the healing power of the therapeutic relationship, and how the unfolding dynamic between therapist and client can support trauma recovery in real time.
My Background
Prior to beginning my full-time private practice in 2019, I served as a Staff Psychologist and Director of Psychology Training at Georgetown University’s Counseling and Psychiatric Service (CAPS). I have trained at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, NYU/Bellevue Hospital, Princeton House Behavioral Health - Penn Medicine, Manhattan Psychiatric Center, The Renfrew Center, and Potomac Behavioral Solutions in Arlington, VA, where I headed a comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program and completed intensive training in DBT through Behavioral Tech LLC.
I completed my basic and intermediate training in EMDR with Deany Laliotis, LICSW (The Center for Excellence in EMDR Therapy). I then went on to complete advanced training in EMDR for perinatal mental health with Dr. Mara Tesler Stein at The Touchstone Institute, where I am also an EMDR Consultant-in-Training™ (CIT). I am passionate about offering support to other therapists who want to deepen their understanding of EMDR.
I earned my Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Columbia University, and my M.A. and B.A. in psychology from Wesleyan University.
I am licensed in Washington, DC and in all PSYPACT states.
My Services
I am dedicated to helping, teaching, and learning in my work with EMDR, providing support to both clients and fellow therapists.
Comprehensive EMDR Therapy
I offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as a powerful tool for healing from trauma and emotional distress. EMDR is an evidence-based therapy designed to help individuals process and resolve past traumatic experiences by reducing their charge, allowing for profound emotional healing and growth.
Initial Consultation (60 min) - $380
Follow-up Sessions (45 min) - $245
For Georgetown University students who carry GU Student Health Insurance (GUSHI):
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I work with GUSHI as an out of network provider. Students are responsible for paying me 30% of my standard fee, and the insurance company pays me the remaining 70%, after meeting a $250 deductible.
For all other clients:
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I am not in any insurance networks, but I provide a monthly statement that you can use to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Many people are able to be reimbursed for a significant portion of their out-of-pocket costs after meeting a deductible.
EMDR Therapy Consultation
As an EMDR Consultant-in-Training (CIT) under Dr. Mara Tesler Stein (The Touchstone Institute), my consultation services are designed to support new EMDR therapists as they navigate their professional journey. With a foundation in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, I bring a relational lens to our sessions, fostering a spirit of understanding and growth. Together, we'll explore complex scenarios, deepen your expertise, and enhance your skills to provide effective therapy. My passion lies in empowering you to build confidence and competence in your practice.
Individual Consultation (45 min) - $75*
(*CIT reduced rate)
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Work one-on-one with me for individualized support with case conceptualization, treatment planning, and professional growth.
EMDR Consultation Groups:
Helping Therapists “Get the Plane Off the Ground”
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A core strength I bring to EMDR consultation is helping therapists adapt the standard protocol when full reprocessing isn’t yet accessible — without losing sight of the AIP model or clinical goals.
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I guide consultees in learning how to identify what their clients can do, and how to build momentum from that capacity.
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We explore practical, strengths-based modifications such as:
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EMD, EMD 2.0, or Flash to build tolerance for distress while limiting overactivation
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EMDr or Four Blinks for titrated processing with high-structure support
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Present-day triggers to reduce daily distress and increase client buy-in
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Resource-based or adaptive memory strengthening when trauma work feels premature.
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This helps therapists move out of “wait mode,” stay engaged with the EMDR framework, and build confidence in their clinical decision-making.
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It also supports their clients in experiencing small but powerful shifts that lay the groundwork for deeper reprocessing work ahead.
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My focus is on helping consultees develop both flexibility and fidelity, so they can work skillfully with the clients in front of them — not just the ones who fit neatly into the textbook.
Cost per group - $50*
*CIT reduced rate
*As a CIT, I am approved to provide 15 of the 20 hours needed for EMDR certification.
Consultation Process (for therapists only)
To get started, please submit the inquiry form below. Once I review your inquiry, I will reach out to you for a brief conversation to ensure the group is a good fit. For any questions, please send me an email at sarah@drsarahgoldman.com. I look forward to working with you!
Contact Me
