top of page

EMDR in Alexandria, VA

If you are looking for EMDR in Alexandria, VA, you may be carrying the effects of trauma, chronic stress, or distressing life experiences that still feel active in the present. EMDR therapy offers a gentle, structured way to help the brain process painful memories so they no longer hold the same emotional intensity, creating more space for steadiness, relief, and healing.

 

At Old Town Therapy & Wellness, Susan Ross, LCSW provides EMDR as part of a thoughtful, personalized therapy process rooted in compassion, experience, and respect for each client’s pace. Her practice in Alexandria serves adults seeking support for trauma, anxiety, depression, mood-related concerns, and other challenges that may be connected to unresolved experiences from the past.

Reach out to learn whether EMDR may be a good fit for your needs.

EMDR therapy process

EMDR in Alexandria,VA

If you are looking for EMDR in Alexandria, VA, you may be carrying the effects of trauma, chronic stress, or distressing life experiences that still feel active in the present. EMDR therapy offers a gentle, structured way to help the brain process painful memories so they no longer hold the same emotional intensity, creating more space for steadiness, relief, and healing.

At Old Town Therapy & Wellness, Susan Ross, LCSW provides EMDR as part of a thoughtful, personalized therapy process rooted in compassion, experience, and respect for each client’s pace. Her practice in Alexandria serves adults seeking support for trauma, anxiety, depression, mood-related concerns, and other challenges that may be connected to unresolved experiences from the past.

Reach out to learn whether EMDR may be a good fit for your needs.

What is EMDR therapy?


EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is an evidence-based therapy approach designed to help the brain process traumatic or distressing memories in a way that reduces their emotional charge and allows healing to move forward more naturally.
 

Unlike traditional talk therapy alone, EMDR uses a structured process that may include bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, while you focus on a memory, emotion, or belief connected to past distress. Over time, this process can help experiences feel less overwhelming, less intrusive, and less disruptive to daily life.

Many people seek EMDR in Alexandria, VA because they want support that is both compassionate and active. For some, EMDR feels helpful because it does not rely entirely on talking through every detail of what happened; instead, it helps the brain do the work of reprocessing in a way that can feel more manageable and contained.

A conversation can help determine whether this approach aligns with your goals.

A calm, naturalistic image depicting gentle light filtering through serene trees, evoking

How EMDR can help

 

EMDR therapy may be helpful for people who feel stuck in patterns shaped by painful or overwhelming experiences.

  • Trauma that continues to affect emotions, relationships, or daily functioning.

  • Anxiety, fear, or a persistent sense of being on edge.

  • Negative beliefs such as shame, self-doubt, or feeling powerless.

  • Difficulty regulating emotions after stressful or traumatic experiences.

  • Distress connected to grief, significant life transitions, or unresolved past events.

Because every person’s history is different, EMDR is not approached as a one-size-fits-all treatment. Susan integrates EMDR thoughtfully within a broader, individualized plan so therapy remains responsive to your needs, your readiness, and your overall goals for healing.

What EMDR is like in therapy

 

Beginning EMDR therapy does not mean being pushed into memories before you feel ready. The process typically starts with getting to know your history, understanding what brings you to therapy, and building a foundation of safety, trust, and coping resources before deeper reprocessing work begins.

 

When EMDR is introduced, sessions are collaborative and paced with care. You remain an active participant in the process, and treatment is adjusted based on your comfort level, your nervous system’s response, and what feels clinically appropriate for you.

 

For many clients, one of the most reassuring aspects of EMDR is that healing can happen without having to retell every part of the story in detail. The work is structured, intentional, and designed to support change while honoring emotional safety.

Learn more about the process and whether EMDR may be appropriate for you.

What EMDR is like in therapy

EMDR with Susan Ross, LCSW in Alexandria

 

Susan Ross is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 26 years of experience serving clients in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Her practice is based in Alexandria, VA, where she offers a warm, grounded approach to therapy that integrates evidence-based methods with deep respect for each person’s story and strengths.

 

Her therapeutic approach includes EMDR, along with other modalities such as IFS, CBT, and ACT, allowing treatment to be tailored rather than rigidly formulaic. This integrative style can be especially important when supporting clients with trauma, anxiety, depression, mood concerns, or eating disorders, because healing often involves more than one therapeutic lens.

 

Susan offers telehealth services and in-person sessions on Wednesday afternoons, giving clients in Alexandria and the surrounding area flexibility in how they access care. EMDR may be offered in 8-week block sessions or incorporated into individual therapy sessions, depending on clinical fit and treatment needs.

Looking for EMDR in Alexandria, VA?

 

If you have been searching for EMDR in Alexandria, VA, you may already know that finding the right therapist matters just as much as finding the right modality. A strong therapeutic relationship, a thoughtful pace, and a treatment plan that feels personalized can make a meaningful difference in how supported you feel throughout the process.

 

At Old Town Therapy & Wellness, the goal is not simply symptom reduction, but helping you move toward greater stability, clarity, and a more grounded connection to yourself and your life. EMDR can be a powerful part of that work when it is offered with care, skill, and attention to your individual needs.

A conversation can help determine whether this approach aligns with your goals.

Connect with Susan Ross, LCSW

If you are considering EMDR therapy in Alexandria, VA, reaching out can be a simple first step. Susan welcomes inquiries by email or phone and can help you determine whether EMDR may be appropriate for your therapeutic needs.

SR-oldtown_hero1.png

Susan Ross, LCSW

Virginia LCSW: 0904005550

Maryland LCSW-C: 12017

Washington, DC LICSW: LC50078055

CONTACT

228 S. Washington St, #350
Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 577--5550
rosstherapy@gmail.com

HOURS

Monday & Thursday 8am - 5pm (Telehealth)

Tuesday & Wednesday Mornings

(Telehealth)

Tuesday & Wednesday Afternoon

(In-Person Sessions)

Friday 8am - 12pm (Telehealth)

© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved.

bottom of page