Laura Pisani (She/Her)

You notice a lingering, hard-to-ignore, feeling that stays with you. Perhaps it makes you jumpy, on-edge, or irritable. You notice difficulties in relationships. There may be a memorable event or a long-repressed experience that stays with you and you feel no escape. Through utilizing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), I strive to help individuals find relief from traumatic incidences in their lives, such as sexual, verbal, or physical abuse.

It barges its way into life, uninvited, and comes in various shapes and sizes. Maybe you can’t get out of bed or you don’t function like you used to. Perhaps you’re more irritable, or things just feel like a cloud is hanging over your head for no apparent reason. My work with depression focuses on the small steps. I meet clients where they are at and take an encouraging approach that allows a safe space to explore issues such as self-harm, hopelessness, irritability, and loss of self.

You wear a lot of hats at your job or in your personal life. You hold yourself to high standards because you strive for perfection in a world of imperfection. You can’t remember the last time you said “no” or chose yourself first. Maybe your heart races while your brain has a million pages open at once. I aim to help clients find skills to not only manage their symptoms, but work with them to uncover the true source of their anxiety which can be shame, grief, or trauma.

In my trauma work with clients, I believe that each client deserves to be: validated in the experiences that have hurt them, empowered to find healing, and provided with a safe place for them to express their pain. I work with clients to find the healing they need to no longer feel controlled by their triggers or symptoms.

Therapy can be stiff or uncomfortable, I get it. I strive to meet my clients where they are at, using a non-judgmental and conversational approach. I hold my clients in a high regard and believe that they want to find growth, relief, and healing. I hold strong values that align with social justice and believe that individuals have the power within them to overcome.

In using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), I assist the processing of traumatic memories and other life experiences. After successful treatment with EMDR therapy, distress is relieved, negative beliefs are reformulated, and physical symptoms are reduced. During EMDR therapy I provide bi-lateral stimulation that involves usually eye movements by moving my hand, or using buzzing tappers for clients to hold in their hands.