EMDR Therapy in Fort Wayne, IN for Teens & Young Adults
Some memories don't stay in the past. A sound, a smell, or a tone of voice can bring the same racing heart, tight chest, or shutdown as if it were happening again. EMDR therapy helps the brain finish processing those memories, so they can feel like something that happened, not something that is still happening.
At Unwilted Counseling, Destina Rekeweg, LMHC, provides EMDR therapy for teens and young adults ages 13–25, in person in Fort Wayne or virtually across Indiana and Ohio. EMDR is paced, collaborative, and doesn't require you to describe every detail of what happened out loud.
In-Person in Fort Wayne • Virtual EMDR Across Indiana & Ohio • Free 15-Minute Consultation
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps people heal from distressing and traumatic experiences. The World Health Organization recommends EMDR for post-traumatic stress in children, adolescents, and adults, and it is one of the most researched trauma treatments available.
How EMDR Works
When something overwhelming happens, the brain doesn't always process it the way it processes everyday memories. The memory can get "stuck" with the original images, emotions, and body sensations still attached, so a reminder today can trigger the same reaction as the original event.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided side-to-side eye movements, alternating taps, or alternating tones, while you briefly bring a memory to mind. This helps the brain reprocess the memory and connect it with what you know now, that it's over and you survived it. Over time, the memory stays, but its emotional charge fades.
What EMDR Is Not
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It isn't hypnosis. You stay awake, aware, and in control the whole time.
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It doesn't require you to retell every detail out loud.
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It doesn't erase memories. It changes how much they hurt.
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It doesn't start with your hardest memory. Preparation and coping skills come first.
What Can EMDR Therapy Help With?
EMDR is best known for treating trauma and PTSD, and it can also help with other concerns that are rooted in distressing experiences:
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Single-incident trauma and PTSD: accidents, medical trauma, assault, or witnessing violence. Learn about trauma therapy.
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Complex and childhood trauma: repeated harm, abuse, or neglect, with EMDR introduced after a stabilization phase. Learn about complex trauma therapy.
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Anxiety and panic linked to specific memories or triggers. See Anxiety Counseling and Panic Attack Counseling.
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Bullying, humiliation, and painful social experiences that still shape confidence and self-esteem.
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Traumatic grief and sudden loss.
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Phobias and fears connected to a specific event.
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Negative beliefs like "I'm not safe," "It was my fault," or "I'm not good enough" that formed after hard experiences.
Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR may be a good fit if:
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A specific memory or set of memories still feels emotionally "live"
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Talking about what happened hasn't been enough on its own
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You react strongly to reminders and don't fully understand why
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You'd prefer not to describe every detail out loud
EMDR isn't the right first step for everyone. If you're in active crisis or need more stability first, therapy starts with coping and safety skills, and EMDR is introduced when you're ready. The free consultation and assessment help determine the best approach.
The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR follows a standard eight-phase structure. Several phases happen before any memory is processed, which is what keeps the work safe and paced.
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History and treatment planning: we talk about what brings you in, your history, and which memories or triggers to focus on.
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Preparation: you learn grounding and calming skills, such as a "calm place" exercise, so you can settle your nervous system during and between sessions.
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Assessment: we identify a target memory, the image, negative belief, emotion, and body sensation connected to it, and the positive belief you'd like to hold instead.
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Desensitization: with bilateral stimulation, you briefly hold the memory in mind and notice what comes up, while the distress gradually lowers.
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Installation: the positive belief, such as "I'm safe now" or "It wasn't my fault," is strengthened.
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Body scan: we check for any remaining tension or sensation connected to the memory.
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Closure: every session ends with grounding, so you leave feeling steady, even if a memory isn't fully processed yet.
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Reevaluation: at the next session, we check what has shifted and decide what comes next.
What Does an EMDR Session Feel Like?
Most sessions are 50 minutes. You sit comfortably and follow a moving light or the therapist's hand with your eyes, or use alternating taps or tones. In short sets, you notice thoughts, feelings, or body sensations as they come up, and briefly share what you noticed. Many people describe it as their mind moving through the memory on its own, with the emotional intensity dropping along the way. You can pause or stop at any time.
EMDR Therapy for Teens and Young Adults
EMDR works well for this age group partly because it doesn't depend on long verbal explanations. Teens who find it hard to put feelings into words, or who don't want to retell what happened, can still make real progress.
EMDR for Teens (13–17)
For teens, preparation often takes a little longer. We build coping skills, trust, and a clear sense of control before processing begins, and the language is adapted to fit your teen's age and comfort. EMDR can help with school-related stress, bullying, accidents, medical experiences, and family or relationship hurts.
EMDR for Young Adults (18–25)
Young adults often come to EMDR when past experiences start showing up in college, work, or relationships, through anxiety, shutdown, people-pleasing, or strong reactions that don't fit the situation. EMDR helps loosen the grip of those older memories so present-day choices feel more like your own. Therapy is fully confidential for clients 18 and older.
For Parents
A parent or guardian helps get therapy started and is part of the intake process. Sessions are mostly one-on-one, so your teen can process at their own pace, and you receive general updates. It's normal for teens to feel tired or a little more emotional after some EMDR sessions; your therapist will let you know what to watch for and how to support them at home. If there is ever a safety concern, you will be informed. Learn more about teen and young adult counseling.
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In-Person and Virtual EMDR Therapy
In-Person EMDR in Fort Wayne
Sessions take place in a private, comfortable office at 3514 Stellhorn Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46815, with free parking. In-person EMDR serves clients throughout Fort Wayne and Allen County, including New Haven, Huntertown, and Leo-Cedarville.
Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Fri 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Sat 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Sun: Closed
Virtual EMDR Across Indiana and Ohio
EMDR can be done online. During virtual sessions, bilateral stimulation is delivered through an on-screen moving visual or guided self-tapping. Sessions use secure, HIPAA-compliant video and are never recorded. Virtual EMDR is available to clients located anywhere in Indiana and, through the Counseling Compact, in Ohio. Research shows online EMDR can be effective for many clients.
You'll need a private, quiet space and a laptop or tablet with a large enough screen. Many clients combine in-person and virtual sessions.
Meet Your EMDR Therapist:
Destina Rekeweg, LMHC
Destina is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and more than three years of experience working exclusively with teens and young adults. She is trained in EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS), and often combines the two, using IFS-informed work to understand the protective "parts" that come up during processing.
Her approach keeps you in control: your pace, your choice of what to work on, and a steady, consistent relationship. As a solo practice, Unwilted Counseling means the same therapist guides you from your first session to your last.
Getting Started with EMDR Therapy
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Free consultation (15 minutes): a low-pressure call to talk about what's going on, ask about EMDR, and see if it's a good fit.
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Comprehensive assessment (50 minutes): history, current symptoms, safety, and goals, and the start of a treatment plan.
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Preparation sessions: coping and grounding skills before any processing.
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EMDR processing (50-minute sessions or intensives): usually weekly, at a pace you control.
Fees and Payment
Unwilted Counseling is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly. Clients may use out-of-network benefits for possible reimbursement.
Service | Duration | Fee |
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Initial intake assessment | 50 min | $160 |
Ongoing session | 50 min | $135 |
Intensive session | 75 min | $202.50 |
Intensive session | 100 min | $270 |
Intensive session | 150 min | $405 |
Good Faith Estimate: Clients paying privately have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining expected costs of care. You may request this prior to scheduling. See our full fees and policies page.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Anger Management Counseling
Unwilted Counseling offers EMDR therapy at 3514 Stellhorn Rd. in Fort Wayne, serving Allen County, New Haven, Huntertown, and Leo-Cedarville, plus virtual EMDR anywhere in Indiana and Ohio. A free 15-minute consultation is the first step.
EMDR is one of the most researched trauma treatments and is recommended by the World Health Organization for post-traumatic stress in children, adolescents, and adults. Many clients notice the emotional intensity of a memory decrease over a series of sessions, though results vary from person to person.
It depends on what you're working on. A single, recent event may need relatively few processing sessions after preparation, while multiple or childhood experiences usually take longer. Progress is reviewed regularly so you always know where things stand.
No. You'll share enough for your therapist to understand what you're working on, but EMDR doesn't require you to describe every detail aloud. Much of the processing happens internally.
Yes. EMDR is recommended for adolescents and is adapted for age and comfort. Teens spend extra time on preparation and coping skills before any processing begins.
Yes. Virtual EMDR uses an on-screen moving visual or guided self-tapping for bilateral stimulation. It's available to clients located in Indiana and Ohio through secure, HIPAA-compliant video.
Some people feel lighter or relieved; others feel tired or more emotional for a day or so, and vivid dreams can happen. Every session ends with grounding, and you'll have tools to use between sessions.
No. You stay fully awake, aware, and in control during EMDR, and you can pause or stop at any time.
It can, especially when anxiety is tied to specific memories or triggers, such as a past panic attack, a frightening event, or a humiliating experience. Your therapist will recommend whether EMDR, CBT, or a combination is the best fit.
An intensive is a longer session (75, 100, or 150 minutes) that allows more focused processing in a single visit. It can help clients with limited schedules or who want to work through a specific memory more efficiently.
Unwilted Counseling is private pay and does not bill insurance directly. Many clients use out-of-network benefits for possible reimbursement. The initial assessment is $160 and ongoing sessions are $135.
Good Faith Estimate: Clients paying privately have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining expected costs of care. You may request this prior to scheduling.
Start EMDR Therapy in Fort Wayne!
You don't have to keep reacting to the past as if it's still happening. A free 15-minute consultation is a low-pressure way to ask questions about EMDR and find out if it's the right fit for you or your teen. Call or text (260) 255-6432 or request your consultation online.
