Photo of Lesa Young, Counselor in 40511, KY
Lesa Young
Counselor, MA, LPCC-S, NCC, EMDR, CCPT
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Lexington, KY 40511
I believe that everyone comes to a time in life when they face their own personal “truth in the room”. This can be as simple as private self-reflection or as complicated as trying to save a relationship or marriage. Maybe you have a child who is out of control or a sibling who suffers from substance abuse. Whatever brings you to therapy, know that it is my goal to partner with you as you work toward personal growth and wellness. Strong individuals are able to have strong relationships and healthy lives with meaning and purpose. My ideal client is one who is ready to explore "who they are and to do it on purpose".
I believe that everyone comes to a time in life when they face their own personal “truth in the room”. This can be as simple as private self-reflection or as complicated as trying to save a relationship or marriage. Maybe you have a child who is out of control or a sibling who suffers from substance abuse. Whatever brings you to therapy, know that it is my goal to partner with you as you work toward personal growth and wellness. Strong individuals are able to have strong relationships and healthy lives with meaning and purpose. My ideal client is one who is ready to explore "who they are and to do it on purpose".
(859) 878-1109 View (859) 878-1109
EMDR Therapists

Who is EMDR for?

EMDR was initially developed as a treatment for individuals with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for whom memories of a deeply distressing experience can be inadvertently triggered by random everyday events. The procedure has since been applied in the treatment of many other conditions. For example, it is used by some therapists to treat anxiety disorders including panic and phobias, depression, dissociative disorders, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and some personality disorders. It is suitable for adolescents and adults.

Why do people need EMDR?

People need EMDR as a way to manage distressing memories that in some way hamper the ability to function in the present. The procedure is believed to target the way memories are stored in the brain. Evidence indicates that past disturbing experiences cause ongoing distress because they were not adequately processed, and when such memories are triggered in the present, they are accompanied by all the emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations as the initial experience.

What problems does EMDR treat?

First and foremost, EMDR is intended as a treatment for PTSD, to defuse distressing memories that intrude on and impair everyday functioning. It is also often used to help those who are subject to panic attacks, phobias, and other forms of anxiety. In addition, EMDR has been used to treat individuals with depression, eating disorders, and personality disorders.

What happens in EMDR therapy?

First the therapist takes an individual’s history, and then the therapist and client decide which distressing experience(s) will be the target(s) of the exercise, delivered via a side-to-side visual stimulus requiring lateral eye movements. The client will be asked to activate thoughts, feelings, and any body sensations related to the troubling experience. The eye movements are said to reduce the emotional charge of the memory, so that the experience can then be safely discussed with the therapist and digested, minimizing its ability to trigger anxiety.