EMDR Therapy
for Trauma, Anxiety, and Stuckness
In-person in Los Alamitos, CA and online across California and Nevada
Certified EMDR Therapist • In-Person or Virtual in CA and NV • LGBTQ+ Affirming
You’ve talked about it. You’ve tried to push through.
But something still feels stuck.
Maybe you’ve been in therapy before. Maybe you’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, even tried meditating.
But the same triggers still show up. You still freeze. Or shut down. Or overreact.
It’s frustrating, because part of you knows it’s old stuff—but that doesn’t stop your body from reacting like it’s happening now.
This is where EMDR can help.
EMDR helps your brain do what it was designed to do: heal.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful, research-backed therapy for trauma, anxiety, and distressing life experiences.
It works by helping your brain reprocess stuck memories so they lose their charge—and you can finally feel like yourself again.
You don’t have to relive everything in detail. You don’t have to “figure it all out.”
We’ll work together gently, in a way that honors your pace and actually provides relief.
EMDR can help with more than you think.
✔ Childhood trauma or attachment wounds
✔ Anxiety, panic, or chronic overthinking
✔ CPTSD and PTSD
✔ Grief or complex loss
✔ Confidence and peak performance
✔ Major life traumas
✔ Social Anxiety
✔ People-pleasing patterns
✔ Big life transitions (divorce, career, motherhood, midlife)
✔ Emotional shutdown or numbness
✔ Public speaking and performance anxiety
✔ First Responders, Caregivers, & Clinicians
✔ Prenatal or perinatal issues
✔ Overwhelm in daily life
✔ And even more
Trauma-informed. Compassionate. Deeply human.
As a certified EMDR therapist and trauma specialist, I use more than a manual.
We’ll integrate EMDR with parts work, somatic awareness, and nervous system regulation—so your healing feels real, embodied, and lasting.
Whether we’re working with childhood wounds, attachment patterns, or something you can't quite name, I’ll help you connect the dots, release what’s stuck, and rebuild from the inside out.
Here’s what working together looks like:
Start with safety. We don’t dive in on Day One. We build trust and resourcing first.
Get clear on what’s stuck. We work together to identify the memories, beliefs, or patterns that need healing.
Use EMDR to reprocess the bad stuff. You stay present and grounded while your brain does the work.
Move forward with more freedom. Most clients report major shifts—sometimes subtle, sometimes life-changing.
Online or in-person EMDR therapy—your choice.
I offer EMDR therapy: In-person in Los Alamitos, CA.
-or-
Virtually across California and Nevada
Sessions are 50 minutes, held weekly or biweekly, and paced according to your readiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the process like?
We’ll work as a team, using the approaches that best support your goals. That might include EMDR, parts work, somatic techniques, guided imagery, gentle mindfulness, or simply talking through what matters most.
Clients often find that a personalized mix of methods creates the deepest, most lasting change. My role is to bring curiosity, clinical depth, and the right tools at the right time—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
What happens in the first session?
Whether we meet online or in person, the first session is about connection. There’s no pressure—just space to share what’s on your heart, what’s felt stuck, and what you’re hoping for.
We’ll get clear on your goals, map out a plan for our work together, and I’ll answer any questions you have. You’ll likely leave with at least one tool you can start using right away.
Do you offer in-person or virtual therapy?
Yes—both.
In-person therapy is available in my quiet, welcoming office in Los Alamitos, CA, convenient to Long Beach, Seal Beach, Lakewood, and surrounding Orange County cities.
Virtual sessions are available to clients throughout California and Nevada via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. You can attend from your home, office, or even your car on a break—it’s therapy that fits your life.
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a highly effective, research-backed therapy that helps the brain reprocess past experiences so they no longer feel overwhelming in the present.
It’s not just for trauma—it’s also used to build confidence, reduce anxiety, and help people feel more regulated and whole.
What are your credentials?
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California and Nevada, a Certified EMDR Therapist, an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant, and a facilitator-in-training with the EMDR Institute.
My approach blends:
EMDR therapy
Parts work (IFS, ego state, CRM)
Somatic therapy (NeuroAffective Touch, Hakomi, yoga-based work)
Flash Technique
Poly Vagal Informed Approach
Trauma-informed and strengths-based frameworks
I’m also a World Class Speaking Coach, former massage therapist, and former actor. I actively pursue consultation and continuing education to stay current in best practices.
How much does it cost?
A standard 50-minute therapy session is $275.
Weekly sessions are recommended for the most effective results, but bi-weekly session are also available.
Do you accept insurance?
I’m an out-of-network provider. If your insurance plan includes out-of-network benefits, I can provide a monthly superbill you can submit for potential reimbursement.
Be sure to check with your insurance company about your specific coverage.
Ready to stop managing and start healing?
Let’s take the next step—together.
© 2025 Carissa Karner LMFT. All Rights Reserved.