EMDR Therapy- FAQs

  • EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which focuses on building insight and understanding through conversation, EMDR works directly with the way your brain stores and makes sense of overwhelming or distressing experiences. When something deeply stressful happens, the memory can get stuck in your nervous system in a way that keeps it feeling present and raw, even years later.

    EMDR uses a structured process, often involving bilateral stimulation like eye movements or tapping, to help your brain finish processing what it could not at the time. Many clients find that it creates shifts that insight and conversation alone never quite reached.

  • No, and this surprises many people.

    EMDR does not require you to narrate your experiences in detail or relive them verbally. The process works with what your nervous system holds, not with a detailed retelling.

    Some clients find this to be one of the most relieving things about EMDR, that healing does not require rehashing everything. We move at your pace, and you always control how much you share.

  • This is one of the most important questions I get, and I want to answer it honestly. During EMDR processing, you will only experience what is already present in your nervous system. If anxiety is part of what you carry, you may feel it during processing. But what is happening in that moment is that your brain is finally moving through something it got stuck on, not creating something new. And once that processing is complete, you no longer have to manage that feeling the same way. It has moved.

    Throughout every session, you remain in complete control. I am with you the entire time, monitoring your pace and your stability, and making sure you leave each session feeling grounded. The goal is always to move at a pace that feels workable, not overwhelming.

  • Treatment length varies depending on what you are working through, how many experiences contribute to your current patterns, and how your nervous system responds.

    Many people experience meaningful shifts in a relatively short period of time, such as 3-6 sessions. Others work more deeply over a longer period. The average duration of treatment for clients seeing me is around 20 sessions.

    Because EMDR tends to generalize to multiple associated experiences, healing one area has a ripple effect on other areas. EMDR is not designed to be indefinite. It is goal-oriented and structured, which means we are always working toward something specific. We will talk about your goals early on and revisit them regularly to ensure we are moving towards accomplishing your treatment goals as quickly as possible.

  • The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and for me to understand more about what is bringing you in and what you are hoping to accomplish in treatment.

    There is no pressure to dive into difficult material right away. We will talk about your history, your goals, and what feels most important to address. I will also explain how EMDR works and answer any questions you have.

    Most people leave the first session feeling somewhat lighter—heard, understood, and with a clearer sense of the path forward.

  • No I do not take insurance. However, I am able to provide a superbill.

  • I charge 200.00 per 50-53 min session.

  • Yes, I offer telehealth and in-person EMDR therapy.

    I offer in-person counseling at my private practice office in Clearwater, FL. The office is conveniently located for easy access from St. Petersburg, Largo, Clearwater, and Tampa.

    I also offer telehealth counseling to adults client located in Arizona and Florida.

    Some clients choose a hybrid approach where they utilize both in-person and telehealth.

  • No.

    I work exclusively with adult clients in individual EMDR therapy.

  • I recommend attending weekly, especially at the beginning of treatment. This allows us to quickly build rapport and start addressing your concerns. As treatment progresses, the client will step down to every other week, then to monthly, and usually graduate once they are consistently maintaining progress.

    The typical duration of treatment with me is around 20 sessions.

  • I use a secure patient portal that allows existing clients to access records, view and request appointments (up to two months in advance) and communicate with me through a secure messaging system.

    If you are an existing client you can access the patient portal here: https://carolyn-lenz.clientsecure.me/sign-in

    If you are interested in becoming a client, then please fill out the contact form to get in touch with Carolyn.

  • If you’re ready to explore setting up services or have more questions, the fist step is to get in touch.

    Contact Carolyn via the contact form, phone or email. If current openings meet what you are looking for then we will set up a free consultation to chat about what you’re looking for, what I offer, and see if it’s a good fit.