Questions parents commonly ask before starting therapy. If something isn’t answered here, please reach out – there is no such thing as a question too small.
What types of trauma do you work with?
I support children and young people with a wide range of trauma, including attachment trauma, anxiety, phobias, OCD, single-incident trauma (such as accidents, injuries, or medical trauma), child sexual trauma, and trauma related to school or social experiences. If you are unsure whether what your child has experienced counts as trauma, reach out – I am happy to talk it through.
How does EMDR work, and why does bilateral stimulation help?
When something frightening or upsetting happens, the brain can get stuck – storing the memory in a way that keeps it feeling raw and present, even long after the event is over. Bilateral stimulation (the back-and-forth movement used in EMDR – whether through eye movements, taps, or sounds) appears to help the brain shift out of that stuck state.
The leading theory is that the back-and-forth movement engages both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously, similar to what happens naturally during REM sleep – the stage where we process the day’s experiences. In this state, the brain can revisit a distressing memory without being overwhelmed by it, and gradually file it away as something that happened in the past rather than something still happening now.
For children, this process is integrated into play, art, or sandtray work – so the bilateral stimulation is anchored to something creative and meaningful, not a clinical exercise. The brain does the healing work while the child is simply engaged in something that feels safe.
How long does EMDR therapy take?
It depends on the child and the nature of their experiences. For single-incident trauma (such as one specific event), children often make significant progress in 6 to 12 sessions. More complex or longstanding trauma – such as attachment difficulties or repeated adverse experiences – typically takes longer. I review progress regularly and will always be transparent with you about how things are going.
What does an EMDR session look like for a child?
For adults, EMDR often involves sitting and talking. For children, it looks very different. I integrate EMDR into play, art, and sandtray work. A child might be moving figures in a sandtray or drawing while also engaging in bilateral stimulation.
How do you combine EMDR with expressive therapy?
Bilateral stimulation – the core mechanism in EMDR – can be delivered in many ways. I use taps, sounds, or movement and anchor them to whatever the child is already engaged with, whether that is a sand scene, a drawing, or imaginative play. This makes the work feel safe in a creative space where healing happens naturally.
What age children do you see?
I work with children from age 4 upwards, and occasionally younger. EMDR also involves the caregivers/parent where possible.
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
You don’t have to be certain. If something feels off – your child has changed, seems distressed, is struggling in ways you can’t explain – that is enough of a reason to reach out. A consultation is not a commitment.
What happens in the first session?
The first 1-2 sessions is a parent consultation without the child present. We talk about what has been happening, what your child is like, and what you are hoping for, as well your child’s developmental history. From there, I will share my initial thoughts and we will decide next steps together.
How often are sessions?
Sessions are typically weekly, especially at the start of therapy. As progress is made, we may space them out. Each session is 50 minutes. In some cases, I may recommend longer duration/more frequent sessions for EMDR over a shorter span of time. This would be an intensive format and can be explored based on your child’s needs.
Still have a question? I would love to hear from you.
Sitara Samtani 