Certified emdr therapist

Transform Your Life with Expert EMDR Therapy

Discover Healing with Isabelle Ong Gaffney, Ph.D., LCMHC, NCC, RPT™. Break free from trauma, anxiety, and depression. Experience the power of EMDR therapy tailored to you. Book your session now.

Are you Looking for a Safe Space to Heal?

Are you exhausted, overwhelmed and burdened? Has a difficult adverse experience left you feeling and thinking:

  • Anxious about the future and wondering if you will ever get better or feel better
  • Disconnected and Withdrawn from people you used to enjoy hanging out with
  • Insecure about yourself and your body
  • Guilt and Shame about who you are
  • Pessimistic about what the future holds for you in many aspects of your life
  • I am not in control of my life and what happens to me
 

I Can Help You Unpack Safely and Work Through Your Pain

When something bad happens to us, it can shift the way we think about and see ourselves and the world around us. Whether this is just one event or a series of events that are life-threatening or disturbing, it can cause long-lasting hurt and pain in so many ways. Often, we don’t stop to figure out what’s going on because it can be so hard to press pause so we try and get used to this pain.

Examples of adverse experiences may be childhood abuse or neglect, sexual assault, being betrayed, chronic or debilitating health condition, relationship violence, a sudden loss or separation from a loved one, discrimination, or multiple transitions.

 

Things We Can Work on Together in EMDR Intensives

I provide a comfortable and non-judgmental space for you to:

  • Gain new insights and perspectives about yourself and make meaning of your pain
  • Create a positive mindset where you accept yourself
  • Heal from difficult and painful experiences
  • Learn about how adverse experiences and trauma impacts people
  • Neutralize negative beliefs about yourself
  • Regain control of yourself and your life
  • Reforge your life to be one that is meaningful and worthwhile
TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING AWAITS

Embark on Your Healing Journey with Our EMDR Intensives Program

EMDR is an approach that seeks to target critical, core memories, some of which you might not even remember causing maladaptive coping strategies that are negatively affecting your life. By using eye movements (EM), it links current memories to past traumatic experiences via a neural network. The eye movements desensitize (D) the client to these memories. Finally, the client goes through a reprocessing (R) step, where positive beliefs overwrite the negative beliefs and feelings that the client holds. In the case of intensives, even just a few sessions are all it takes to improve the client’s quality of life.

Discover the Transformative Benefits of EMDR Therapy

Embarking on a journey with EMDR therapy can lead to profound improvements in your mental well-being and overall quality of life. Through this evidence-based approach, individuals like yourself can experience a wide range of transformative benefits:

Reduced Anxiety

EMDR therapy offers a powerful solution for those struggling with anxiety disorders. By targeting and processing distressing memories, it helps alleviate the persistent feelings of worry and fear, allowing you to regain a sense of calm and control.

Improved Mood

Say goodbye to the weight of depression with EMDR therapy. By addressing underlying traumas and negative beliefs, this therapeutic approach can lift the veil of sadness, instilling a renewed sense of hope, joy, and vitality.

Enhanced Coping Mechanisms for Trauma

Traumatic experiences can leave lasting scars on our minds and bodies, hindering our ability to navigate life's challenges. EMDR therapy equips you with effective coping mechanisms, empowering you to confront and overcome past traumas with resilience and strength.

Heightened Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence

As you progress through EMDR therapy, you'll discover newfound confidence in yourself and your abilities. By processing and reframing negative experiences, you'll cultivate a more positive self-image, paving the way for greater self-esteem and self-assurance.

Relief from Disturbing Memories and Flashbacks

Intrusive memories and flashbacks can disrupt daily life and trigger intense emotional distress. EMDR therapy offers relief by desensitizing these distressing memories, allowing you to reclaim control over your thoughts and reactions.

Improved Relationships and Communication

Unresolved trauma can strain relationships and hinder effective communication. Through EMDR therapy, you'll gain insight into how past experiences impact your interactions with others, fostering healthier and more fulfilling connections.

Lasting Emotional Healing

EMDR therapy facilitates deep emotional healing at the root level, leading to long-lasting relief from psychological distress. By processing and integrating traumatic memories, you'll experience a profound sense of resolution and inner peace.

Experience the life-changing benefits of EMDR therapy and embark on a journey towards healing, growth, and empowerment today.

Contact Isabelle for a FREE 15-minute consultation

Understanding the EMDR Therapy Journey

Unlock the power of healing with Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), a dynamic 8-phase model rooted in the innovative Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) framework by Dr. Francine Shapiro. Delve into the flexible structure of EMDR therapy as Isabelle guides you through its transformative phases:

Initial Assessment

Your journey begins with a comprehensive assessment where our experienced therapist, Isabelle, delves into your personal history, mental health background, and aspirations for treatment. Isabelle collaborates closely with you to understand your unique needs and determine if EMDR is the right path for your healing journey.

01
Preparation

Armed with an arsenal of coping strategies and resources, Isabelle equips you to navigate the emotional terrain ahead. Together, you identify and prioritize the memories that have held you back, ensuring you're prepared to confront them head-on with resilience and support.

02
Processing

With careful guidance, you'll embark on the transformative process of memory reprocessing. Using innovative techniques such as eye movements and bilateral stimulation, Isabelle facilitates the gentle yet profound transformation of distressing memories, empowering you to reclaim control over your narrative.

03
Check-Ins and Post-Assessment

As you progress through the phases, Isabelle remains steadfastly by your side, providing ongoing support and guidance. Upon completion of memory processing, Isabelle conducts thorough check-ins and post-assessments to evaluate your progress and determine the next steps in your journey to wholeness.

04
Personalized Progress

Every individual's healing journey is unique, influenced by factors such as personal history, symptom severity, and commitment to growth. Whether you experience rapid breakthroughs or steady progress, Isabelle is committed to supporting you every step of the way, ensuring you reach your goals at your own pace.

05
about me

Meet Isabelle Ong Gaffney
Ph.D, NCC, LCMHC

Meet Isabelle Ong Gaffney, Ph.D, NCC, LCMHC, a highly experienced therapist dedicated to guiding individuals towards healing and growth. With a Doctorate in Counseling and extensive certifications in EMDR and play therapy, Isabelle offers tailored support for clients of all ages. As a respected educator and published scholar, she remains at the forefront of mental health advancements. Through telehealth services available in North Carolina and Singapore, Isabelle ensures accessibility and convenience for clients seeking transformative healing experiences.

Dr. Isabelle Ong Gaffney

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Why Isabelle Stands Out: Your Trusted Partner in Healing

Elevate your healing journey with Isabelle Ong Gaffney, Ph.D., LCMHC, NCC, RPT™, a dedicated professional committed to your well-being. Beyond her esteemed certifications and licensure as a clinical mental health counselor, Isabelle’s unwavering dedication to excellence sets her apart. Here’s why you should choose Isabelle for your transformative journey:

Nationally Recognized Expertise
Isabelle is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) in the USA, showcasing her exceptional competence and adherence to rigorous standards in counseling practice.
Licensed Clinical Mastery
As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Isabelle brings a wealth of experience and expertise to every session, ensuring you receive the highest level of care and support.
EMDR Pioneering:
Trust in Isabelle's specialized EMDR certification, a testament to her proficiency in this cutting-edge therapeutic approach. Experience the profound benefits of EMDR therapy under the guidance of a seasoned expert.

Frequently Asked Questions

Selecting the right therapist is crucial for effective trauma treatment with EMDR therapy. Certified EMDR therapists, like Isabelle Ong Gaffney, Ph.D., LCMHC, NCC, RPT™, undergo extensive training, accumulate substantial experience, and receive consultation from approved professionals. Her expertise ensures safe and effective guidance through the healing process, adhering to strict standards of practice and ethics. By choosing a certified EMDR therapist, you're assured the highest level of professional care and support on your healing journey towards lasting transformation.

EMDR is a highly adaptive and multi-purpose therapy that is effective in treating various distressing and adverse life events. Apart from effectively treating trauma (one-time traumatic incident) and complex trauma, EMDR can also effectively treat other difficulties such as anxiety, depression, grief and loss, phobias, or any stressful life changes and losses.

Based on international treatment guidelines, EMDR therapy is a first-line trauma-focused therapy. Research results indicate that EMDR outperforms therapies that are not trauma-focused or medications (Lee et al., 2016). EMDR therapy has been endorsed and recommended by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2017), the American Psychiatric Association (APA, 2004), and World Health Organization (WHO, 2013).

Regular EMDR sessions are conducted once a week and overall is a longer treatment process compared to EMDR intensives. EMDR intensives are 3-hour or 6-hour sessions scheduled over a few days in a week or across a few weeks and are more cost- and time-efficient than regular weekly EMDR sessions.

Each regular EMDR session lasts between 50 and 80 minutes. Every person processes memories at a different rate and undergoes the 8 phases of EMDR therapy. While some people may take a couple of months, others may take longer, depending on their therapy goals. EMDR intensives typically take between 3 to 5 full days of treatment, depending on therapy goals.

EMDR is a safe therapy approach when used by a trained and qualified EMDR therapist to guide you through the 8 phases of EMDR therapy. It is important to find an EMDR-certified therapist as this is a sophisticated therapy approach that requires extensive training and experience to ensure your safety and help you optimize your treatment outcomes.

The number of sessions needed varies depending on individual circumstances and treatment goals. Many clients experience significant improvement within just a few sessions, while others may benefit from ongoing support. Isabelle will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs and promotes lasting results.

I have more than ten years of counseling experience in both Singapore and the United States. I graduated with a Doctorate in Counseling and Counselor Education and a Master’s degree in dual tracks: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. Additionally, I am a Certified EMDR therapist, an EMDR Consultant-in-Training (and provide trained EMDR therapists with consultation while preparing them to be EMDR-certified), and a Registered Play Therapist (USA). I have been trained in advanced EMDR therapy and have successfully helped clients heal from their past. Apart from being trained by eminent leading experts in the EMDR and play therapy fields, I teach and supervise counselors-in-training part-time with the National Institute of Education (NIE) and am a part-time lecturer at Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

During an EMDR therapy session, you can expect a supportive and collaborative environment where Isabelle guides you through the EMDR process. This includes focusing on specific memories or experiences while engaging in bilateral stimulation to facilitate processing and integration. Throughout the session, we'll work together to help you navigate emotions and promote healing.

If you're struggling with symptoms related to past trauma, anxiety, depression, or other emotional challenges, EMDR therapy may be an excellent fit for you. An initial consultation with Isabelle will provide an opportunity to discuss your concerns, goals, and any questions you may have about EMDR therapy, helping you make an informed decision about your treatment options.

Book Your Session Today!

Get in Touch with Isabelle!
Please fill out this form and you’ll hear back within 24 to 48 hours, Mon-Fri, excluding holidays. Isabelle is committed to your privacy. Please do not include confidential information regarding you or your child’s health condition on this form.

Note*: lsabelle is currently accepting only telehealth clients.

*Isabelle is currently based in Singapore

Isabelle Ong Gaffney
Ph.D, NCC, LCMHC
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