Orlando EMDR support for children and families
EMDR for Children in Orlando
A calm, child-friendly way to help scary or upsetting memories feel less stuck
When something scary or upsetting happens, a child may not be able to explain why they are suddenly struggling. Parents often notice it somewhere else first. Bigger reactions. More clinginess. More avoidance. Trouble sleeping. A child who just seems off in a way that is hard to explain.
EMDR is one of the ways Jennifer may help when a child is still carrying something that has not fully settled. With children, this does not mean forcing them to sit still and retell every detail. It is done in a way that fits their age, their pace, and the way children naturally communicate.
Private pay. In-person therapy in Orlando. Parent involvement built into the process.
When a memory feels too big
Sometimes a child is not just having a hard day. Sometimes their nervous system still seems caught in something that happened before. The hard thing may be over, but the child keeps reacting like it is still right there.
That can show up in a lot of different ways. Anxiety. Shutdown. Irritability. Big feelings that seem to come out of nowhere. Avoidance of certain places, topics, or routines. A child who suddenly seems more fragile, more reactive, or less like themselves.
The goal is not to put a heavy label on every difficult season. The goal is to understand what your child is carrying and figure out what may actually help.
A child-friendly way Jennifer explains EMDR
Jennifer often explains EMDR to children like this: sometimes when something scary or upsetting happens, the brain keeps the memory stuck, like a toy stuck between the couch cushions.
EMDR is a special way to help the brain put that memory where it needs to go so the feeling is not so big and scary anymore. As that happens, many children begin to notice the memory feels smaller, farther away, or less upsetting than before. The brain starts to register that they are safe now.
What EMDR can look like with children
Many children do not process hard experiences best through a sit-still, talk-only format. Jennifer may use play, drawing, crafting, movement, and simple explanations to help a child feel more comfortable with the process. A child does not have to say every detail out loud for the work to be helpful.
Your child stays in control
The process is paced carefully. Jennifer helps children understand that they can slow down, pause, or stop at any time. The goal is to help, not to push.
Tappers may be part of the work
Sometimes a child may think about the upsetting memory while playing or crafting and feeling the tappers go back and forth on their wrists. That gentle back-and-forth helps support the brain’s processing while the child stays grounded and supported.
The office helps children settle
Jennifer's office is designed to feel calm, comfortable, and less pressured. The nature-inspired room, creative materials, and child-friendly environment all support the larger goal of helping children feel settled enough to do hard work without becoming overwhelmed by it.
For many parents, that is a relief in itself. They are not looking for their child to be pushed harder. They are looking for a way forward that feels steady, thoughtful, and real.
When EMDR may be helpful
EMDR is not the answer to everything, but it can be a very helpful part of the work when something still feels unresolved in a child’s nervous system.
-
Traumatic events or distressing experiences
-
Upsetting memories that still seem to have a strong hold
-
Big feelings after something scary or destabilizing
-
Anxiety, overwhelm, or strong reactions tied to a past event
-
Avoidance, clinginess, or shutdown after a hard experience
-
Divorce-related distress, when clinically appropriate
-
A child who keeps reacting as if the hard thing is still happening right now
Sometimes parents already know they are looking for EMDR. Sometimes they just know their child is still carrying something and want to understand what might help. Jennifer looks at the child as a whole rather than forcing one approach onto every situation.
EMDR is one part of Jennifer’s work with children
EMDR is one of the tools Jennifer may use as part of her work with children. It is used when it fits the child, the concern, and the stage of treatment.
Some children need time first to settle in, build trust, and communicate through play before EMDR becomes part of the plan. Some may move between play therapy, parent guidance, and EMDR depending on what is needed. The focus stays on helping the child feel safer, steadier, and less stuck.
Parents are an essential part of the process
Therapy here is not a drop-off-only service. Real change is strongest when the grownups are involved and understand how to support progress at home.
It starts with the parents
The intake begins with the parents so Jennifer can understand the concerns, the family context, and what daily life has been feeling like at home.
Jennifer gets to know the child first
Jennifer then spends the early phase getting to know the child, building trust, and understanding how stress, emotion, and regulation are showing up before finalizing the treatment direction.
Parent guidance stays part of the work
Treatment planning and parent guidance are built into the process. Parents are not expected to sit back and hope for the best. Jennifer helps them better understand what is happening and how to respond in more effective ways outside the therapy room.
As therapy continues, parent-only sessions may be built in to review progress, troubleshoot current concerns, and support what needs to happen at home. The goal is for positive change to show up outside the office too.
Is EMDR the right choice?
Parents often start looking into EMDR when a child does not seem fully past something upsetting. It can also be a good place to start for parents who have heard of EMDR and want a calmer, more child-friendly explanation before taking the next step.
This practice is not designed for custody recommendations, testimony, or high-conflict court disputes. That helps keep therapy centered on the child and the work of healing.
When reaching out through the website, please keep your message brief and general. Detailed clinical information can be shared later through more appropriate channels if needed.
Related support
Child Play Therapy
For children ages 3 to 12 who communicate and process best through play, creativity, and developmentally appropriate support.
Individual Therapy
For teens, young adults, and parents who may need a more direct therapy format, either in person or, in some cases, online.
About Jennifer
Learn more about Jennifer's background, credentials, and the approach behind the practice.
Practice FAQ
Get quick answers about private pay, parent involvement, court boundaries, and getting started.
Services
Explore all of the support services Jennifer offers for children, teens, and families.
Families using Step Up for Unique Abilities can find the reservation steps and funding details on the dedicated guide page.
Common questions
EMDR is a therapy approach Jennifer may use to help a child process a scary or upsetting memory that still feels stuck. With children, it is done in a developmentally appropriate way and may include play, art, movement, and child-friendly explanations.
No. A child does not have to say every detail out loud for EMDR to be helpful. Jennifer works carefully and does not force children to retell more than they are ready for.
It may look different than EMDR with adults. Jennifer may incorporate play, drawing, crafting, or other developmentally appropriate tools while using tappers. The process is paced with the child in mind.
Yes. Jennifer helps children understand that they are in control during the process and can stop at any time.
Yes. Parent involvement remains important throughout the process. Jennifer helps parents understand what is happening, how treatment is unfolding, and how to support progress at home.
If you are already looking for EMDR because your child still seems affected by a hard experience, this is a strong place to start. If you are earlier in the process and want to understand Jennifer’s broader work with children first, the Child Play Therapy page may be the better starting point.
Yes. Jennifer Wisser-Stokes Counseling LLC accepts Step Up for Unique Abilities. Families who want the reservation steps can use the Step Up Scholarship Guide.
Yes. Jennifer Wisser-Stokes Counseling LLC is a private-pay, out-of-network practice. Superbills may be provided upon request.
Request Consult
If your child seems stuck after something hard, or you want to understand whether EMDR could be part of the right plan, the next step is to reach out with a brief, general message.
Jennifer Wisser-Stokes Counseling LLC
1858 N Alafaya Trail, Suite 208, Orlando, FL 32826