EMDR therapy with Megan Carraco, LCPC. Warm, research-informed care for people who have tried to talk it out and need something more.
Fireworks pop. Doors slam. Brakes screech. Just like that, your heart is pounding, your nervous system is jolted into high alert, your mind is racing in anticipation of danger that isn't there.
Intrusive thoughts torment you during the day. Nightmares keep you from sleeping at night. You're on edge, even when you know you're safe.
You can't concentrate at work. You're snapping at your partner and kids. New relationships flop because you can't trust anyone. And somewhere underneath it all, there's a voice telling you the problem must be you — that you're simply too inadequate, broken, and damaged for any of this to change.
Well, you're not — just hurt. Trauma is a wound that seldom heals properly on its own. That's why you're still in pain… and why it feels like the danger is still happening.
As you might know by now, talking about what happened doesn't always help. You've probably tried. You may have told the story so many times it feels worn out in your mouth — and still, your body reacts the same way.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is different. By moving your eyes back and forth — or using gentle taps or sounds — while you target a traumatic memory, your brain reprocesses that memory in much the same way it integrates new information during REM sleep.
EMDR doesn't erase the trauma from your memory. It takes away its power to control your mind, body, and emotions. The memory becomes something that happened — not something that is still happening.
I'm Megan Carraco, a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) serving Maryland and Virginia. My training is in clinical and counseling psychology — undergraduate work at the University of Texas, graduate work at Southern Methodist University, plus research years at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH) and the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center.
I care about the research. I care more about you. A diagnosis is not who you are, and trauma is not a character flaw. My work is warm, honest, research-informed — and yes, occasionally a little irreverent. Healing doesn't have to be grim.
"[testimonial slot — pending from Megan. Ideally an EMDR client who can speak to the shift from the trauma running their life to becoming something that happened. Initials only, general framing OK.]"
"[testimonial slot — pending from Megan. Ideally a client who can speak to the body-level shift: sleeping through the night, unclenching, feeling safe.]"
"[testimonial slot — pending from Megan. Ideally a client who can speak to the tone of the work — warm, direct, occasionally funny. This one protects against the 'EMDR sounds weird' objection by showing a real person liked it.]"
You stay fully awake, fully in control, and fully yourself. While we focus on a specific memory or belief, I guide your attention with gentle bilateral stimulation — eye movements, taps, or alternating sounds. Your brain does the reprocessing. You can stop at any point. Nothing gets forced.
It depends on what we're working on and how long you've been carrying it. Some targeted issues resolve in a handful of focused sessions. Complex or long-standing trauma takes longer, because we have to build the foundation first. We'll talk about a realistic arc together on the consultation call.
Because talk therapy often works on the story of what happened, and EMDR works on the memory's grip in your nervous system. You can understand your trauma intellectually and still flinch when a door slams. EMDR targets the flinch.
EMDR is well-researched and, when done properly, safe for most people. 'Properly' is the key word — we don't start reprocessing until you have the regulation tools to handle what comes up. That preparation phase isn't optional in my practice.
[insurance/fees — to confirm with Megan]. I'm happy to answer specific insurance and fee questions on the free consultation call.
[format — telehealth / in-person / hybrid — to confirm]. EMDR works well in both formats when the clinician is trained to deliver it remotely.
I see [age range — to confirm] clients in Maryland and Virginia, with specialties in trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, codependency, grief and loss, and narcissistic abuse recovery. [couples therapy yes/no — to confirm.]
Then we talk about what is. I also use Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, and the Safe and Sound Protocol. On the consultation call, I'll tell you honestly what I think would help — even if that's a referral to someone else.
Book your free 15-minute consultation with Megan. No pressure. No obligation. Just a conversation about whether EMDR — or something else — is the right next step.
Your information is private and will never be shared.
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