EMDR Therapy
Insurance accepted
Online & in person appointments
Serving North Carolina
HIPPA Compliant
When the past is still affecting your present
You might not think of yourself as someone with “trauma.”
But there may be moments where something small suddenly feels big. A conversation leaves you spiraling for hours. A certain situation makes your chest tighten. A memory you thought you had moved past still shows up at the worst times.
Replaying conversations in your head long after they’re over
Feeling anxious or on edge without fully understanding why
Reacting strongly to situations that remind you of something from the past
Carrying guilt, shame, or self-doubt that’s hard to shake
Feeling like certain memories still have a grip on you
When Experiences Don’t Fully “Settle” in the Brain
Our brains are designed to process difficult experiences so we can move forward from them.
That’s often why something from years ago can still trigger the same emotional reaction today. Even when you logically know you’re safe now, your mind and body may react as if the threat is still happening.
This can show up as:
anxiety that seems tied to certain situations
feeling emotionally triggered by reminders of the past
negative beliefs about yourself that formed during difficult experiences
patterns in relationships or reactions you wish you could change
A Different Way of Working Through Difficult Memories
EMDR therapy works a little differently from traditional talk therapy.
Instead of only talking about what happened, EMDR helps your brain actively reprocess the memory so it becomes less emotionally overwhelming.
This process helps the brain reorganize how the memory is stored, which often reduces the emotional intensity attached to it.
Getting Started Is Easy
STEP ONE: CONTACT US
At any point in your decision to pursue therapy or assessment, feel free to contact us with questions. We will gladly talk with you over the phone to determine if one of us will be a good fit. Visit our Contact Page.
STEP TWO: INTAKE
Once you have scheduled an appointment, you will be emailed forms to complete electronically prior to your first appointment. If we are in-network with your Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, or State Health Plan insurance benefits will be processed.
STEP THREE: FIRST SESSION
Your first appointment will be 60 minutes. In this first appointment, we will discuss what brought you in, your history, and will develop a “game plan” with you to work toward your goals.
Curious About EMDR Therapy?
You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out.
Many people start therapy simply because they notice something from the past is still affecting how they feel today.
If you’d like to learn more about EMDR therapy or talk through whether it might be helpful in your situation, you’re welcome to contact Acacia Collaborative.
No pressure, just an opportunity to ask questions and explore your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you take insurance?
Most providers at Acacia are in-network with most Aetna and BCBS plans and the NC State Health Plan. We do not accept UNC Health Alliance & our psychological and psychoeducational evaluations are out of network.
For other insurance providers, we provide everything you need to easily file with your insurance, including an insurance “super bill” or statement of services and a link to your claim form. We are also happy to reach out to your insurance company, with your permission, if you would find that helpful.
I’m in the process of shopping for a therapist, is there a way for me to speak with one of you to see if we are a good fit before committing to working with you?
Yes! “Fit” with your therapist is the most important element that makes therapy work (according to studies, even more important than training or length of experience!). Thus, we prioritize making this part very easy for you.
There are some things that are bothering me, but also some things I specifically don't want to talk about. Is that ok?
Absolutely. At Acacia Collaborative, we “meet you where you are.” This means that we do not force you to talk about topics you are not ready to discuss or do not feel are relevant. We are trained at various levels of “depth” of treatment and believe there is no one “right” way to be in therapy.
While most people do choose to have weekly sessions for the first few months, we are flexible about how often and how long you would like your sessions to be. We will offer suggestions, but ultimately, it is your decision about what you would like to get out of therapy.
What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a trauma-focused therapy designed to help the brain process distressing experiences in a healthier way.
When someone goes through something overwhelming, the brain doesn’t always fully process the event at the time. EMDR therapy helps the brain revisit and reprocess those memories so they lose their emotional intensity.
The goal isn’t to erase memories, it’s to help your mind recognize that the experience is in the past and no longer happening now.
What is EMDR most commonly used to treat?
EMDR is most widely known for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related experiences.
However, it’s also commonly used for things like:
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anxiety and panic disorders
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childhood trauma and emotional neglect
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depression connected to past experiences
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phobias and fears
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grief and complicated loss
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performance anxiety
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some chronic stress or psychosomatic symptoms
Start Here
Use the form below to request a call back from Acacia Collaborative Psychological Services or to schedule a consult directly with one of our available therapists. We’ll respond within 24 business hours.
Contact Acacia Collaborative
Ask a question or book an appointment below.
Hours
Monday through Friday
9AM-8PM
Saturday: 9AM-3PM
Durham Office:
3710 University Drive #302, Durham, NC 27707
Cary Office:
570 New Waverly Pl #210, Cary, NC 27518
Online Therapy
All of North Carolina
Insurance
Accepting Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance, State Health Plan, Out-of-Network Superbills & Private Pay. We are credentialed with the following Medicaid plans: Healthy Blue, Carolina Complete, and Wellcare.
Services
Mental Health Therapy & Psychological Assessments