EMDR Therapy for Kids in Eden Prairie, MN
EMDR therapy for kids offers a gentle, structured way to help children process trauma without needing to relive or retell painful experiences in detail.
When a child has been through something overwhelming, their nervous system can stay stuck in “alert mode,” even long after the event has passed.
This can show up as anxiety, big emotional reactions, sleep issues, behavioral changes, or difficulty feeling safe.
At Creekside Counseling, we offer EMDR therapy for children and teens, including kids who have experienced trauma, distressing events, or ongoing stress. Our EMDR therapists provide in-person sessions in Eden Prairie, MN and virtual therapy across Minnesota, supporting children as they heal and regain a sense of safety and emotional balance.
If you are wondering whether EMDR is appropriate for your child, we are happy to talk through options with you.
EMDR Therapy for Children and Adolescents
EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is an evidence-based therapy used to help the brain process and resolve distressing experiences.
EMDR for kids is adapted to be age-appropriate and engaging. Sessions often include movement, drawing, play, and other child-friendly techniques to support healing.
EMDR therapy for kids may be helpful when a child is experiencing:
Ongoing anxiety, fear, or hypervigilance
Nightmares or sleep disturbances
Emotional outbursts or shutdown
Behavioral changes after a stressful or traumatic event
Difficulty concentrating or feeling safe
EMDR Therapy for Kids With Trauma
Children can experience trauma in many different ways. What feels overwhelming to a child may not always look obvious to adults.
EMDR therapy for childhood trauma may support children who have experienced:
Accidents, injuries, or medical procedures
Loss of a loved one or sudden separation
Divorce, family conflict, or instability
Bullying or peer trauma
Exposure to frightening events or ongoing stress
Autism treatment for children is not about changing who a child is. It is about supporting how they experience and interact with the world.
What EMDR Therapy Looks Like at Creekside Counseling
EMDR therapy for children is not about forcing kids to relive trauma. It focuses on helping the brain process experiences while maintaining emotional safety.
Sessions are:
Child-centered and developmentally appropriate
Structured yet flexible
Focused on regulation, safety, and trust
Parent involvement may be included to help support your child’s healing outside of sessions.
Is EMDR Appropriate for Kids?
Many parents ask if EMDR therapy is appropriate for children. The answer depends on the child, their developmental stage, and their specific needs.
EMDR can be a good fit for kids who:
Have difficulty talking about what happened
Get overwhelmed when emotions come up
Seem stuck in fear or stress responses
Have tried other therapies with limited progress
Our therapists carefully assess readiness and tailor EMDR therapy to each child, moving at a pace that feels safe and supportive.
Our Approach to Self-Esteem Therapy for Kids
Our therapists use evidence-informed, trauma-aware approaches tailored to each child and family. This approach supports healing while respecting each child’s unique needs and pace.
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CBT helps children understand how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. In therapy, kids learn to notice negative or self-critical thinking patterns that often show up with depression and practice more balanced, supportive ways of thinking. CBT also helps children build coping skills for managing sadness, low motivation, and emotional overwhelm in everyday situations.
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ART is a gentle, structured therapy that helps children work through distressing memories or emotional experiences without needing to talk through every detail. This can be especially helpful for kids who have trouble putting feelings into words. ART supports emotional relief, improved mood, and a stronger sense of control over thoughts and feelings.
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This approach focuses on building a strong, trusting relationship between your child and their therapist while helping kids identify strengths and small, achievable steps forward. Rather than focusing only on problems, solution-focused therapy helps children notice what is already working and build confidence as they move toward emotional stability and hope.
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Play therapy helps children express and work through anxiety using activities that feel natural and safe, such as play, art, movement, or storytelling. For kids who have difficulty explaining worries with words, play therapy supports emotional regulation, confidence, and coping skills in a developmentally appropriate way.
How EMDR Therapy Helps Children Heal
Trauma can affect children in ways that linger, but healing is possible with the right support.
Through EMDR therapy, children can learn to:
❋ Improve emotional regulationKids build the ability to manage big emotions without becoming flooded, shut down, or overwhelmed.
❋ Reduce anxiety and fear responsesEMDR helps calm the nervous system so children feel less reactive to reminders of stressful or overwhelming experiences.
❋ Decrease trauma-related behaviors and build resilienceAs emotional processing improves, many children show fewer trauma-related behaviors and greater emotional confidence.
❋ Feel safer in their bodies and environmentsTherapy supports a greater sense of safety and grounding, helping children feel more secure day to day.
Our Providers
Elisabeth Emmerich, MA, LPCC, RPT™
Elisabeth helps women navigate anxiety, perfectionism, and the lingering effects of childhood trauma, while also supporting kids and teens through anxiety, trauma and life transitions. As a mom of three, she brings firsthand understanding of the pressures of motherhood to a warm, compassionate, and practical approach that helps clients untangle old patterns and create meaningful change.
Marina Mitcheltree, MA, LPCC
Marina supports children, teens, and families navigating anxiety, behavioral challenges, and life transitions. She specializes in early childhood mental health, child-parent relationships, and play therapy, and is passionate about empowering women and supporting BIPOC communities. As a mom, she brings personal insight into the challenges of parenting while creating a compassionate, practical space for families and individuals to heal and grow.
