EMDR Therapy in Nashville, TN
When painful memories or overwhelming emotions keep showing up, it can feel exhausting and isolating to carry them alone. EMDR therapy helps your brain safely process experiences that feel stuck so they no longer hold the same intensity. At Wise Roots Therapy, healing happens in a calm, supportive space where you remain fully in control.
EMDR Therapy with a Certified Specialist
Kara Guindin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, EMDR Certified Therapist, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant in Training providing specialized trauma and maternal mental health care in Nashville, Tennessee.
She has advanced training in EMDR and integrates evidence-based approaches in a calm, supportive environment focused on safety and trust. Kara offers weekly EMDR sessions, EMDR intensive options, and EMDR consultation for therapists.
LCSW | Certified EMDR Therapist | Perinatal Mental Health Certified Therapist
"Changing the memories that form the way we see ourselves also changes the way we view others. Therefore, our relationships, job performance, what we are willing to do or are able to resist, all move in a positive direction."— Francine Shapiro, founder of EMDR Therapy
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
It is a research-supported therapy designed to help the brain process distressing experiences so they no longer feel as overwhelming or present.
When difficult events are not fully processed, they can remain stored in the nervous system and continue to affect emotions, thoughts, and reactions. EMDR therapy helps your brain safely reprocess these experiences so they feel more resolved and less emotionally charged.
Rather than focusing only on talking through memories, EMDR works with the brain’s natural healing abilities to support lasting emotional relief.
What EMDR Therapy Can Help With
EMDR therapy is designed to help people process experiences that continue to feel distressing or unresolved.
Many clients seek EMDR when they notice emotional reactions, memories, or patterns that seem connected to past events. EMDR is one of several approaches used within trauma therapy.
EMDR can support healing for a wide range of concerns.
✦ Trauma and difficult life experiences
✦ Anxiety and panic symptoms
✦ Birth trauma and medical trauma
✦ Postpartum emotional challenges
✦ Grief and loss
✦ Sexual assault or violence recovery
✦ Childhood experiences that still affect you today
✦ Negative beliefs about yourself that feel hard to change
You do not need to have experienced a single major event for EMDR to be helpful. Many people begin therapy simply because they feel stuck in patterns they want to understand and change.
Out-of-network benefits may be available. Check your benefits here.
How EMDR Therapy Works:
EMDR therapy helps your brain process experiences that may feel stuck or overwhelming. EMDR is often part of a broader trauma-informed approach. During sessions, you focus on a memory, thought, or feeling while engaging in gentle bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements.
This process supports the brain’s natural ability to reorganize and reprocess experiences so they no longer feel as emotionally intense or present.
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We begin with getting to know you- your history, what brought you to therapy, and the goals you’d like to work on. We’ll talk about the challenges you’re facing now, and together we’ll decide which memories or experiences may be connected to them.
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This phase is all about making sure you feel safe and supported before we begin processing. You’ll learn coping strategies, grounding tools, and relaxation techniques to use both in and out of session. The goal here is to build trust and give you a sense of control.
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Together, we’ll identify the memory or experience you’d like to process. We’ll look at the images, beliefs, emotions, and body sensations connected to it. The assessment phase is not about retelling every detail of your past. Instead, we focus on how a memory is affecting you right now.
For example, we may explore:
The negative belief that shows up when you think of the memory (like “I’m not safe” or “I’m not good enough”).
What emotions and body sensations you notice in the present moment.
What positive belief you’d rather hold onto instead.
This step is important because EMDR works by helping your brain reprocess how the past feels in your body today- so you no longer feel stuck or triggered when you think of it.
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This is the phase that people often associate with EDMR, because this is where bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sound) is introduced. While focusing on the memory, your brain is gently guided to “reprocess” it. Over time, the memory becomes less distressing- it feels more like something that happened in the past, rather than something you’re reliving.
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Once the memory feels less upsetting, we strengthen the positive belief you want to carry instead- like “I am safe now” or “I am a good mom.” This helps replace old, painful beliefs with healthier, more empowering ones.
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We check in with your body to notice if any tension, stress, or lingering discomfort is still there when you think of the memory. The goal is for your body to feel at ease and aligned with your new positive belief.
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At the end of each session, no matter how far we get into the phases of EMDR, we make sure you feel grounded and calm. We’ll use relaxation techniques if needed, and you’ll leave with tools to support yourself between sessions.
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At the start of the next session, we check back in to see how the memory feels now, and whether new layers have come up. Healing is a process, and reevaluation helps us track your progress and know where to focus next.
Kara Guindin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified EMDR Therapist providing specialized trauma and maternal mental health care in Nashville, Tennessee.
Her approach to EMDR therapy centers on creating a calm, supportive environment where clients feel safe exploring difficult experiences at their own pace. Kara integrates advanced EMDR training with a compassionate, client-centered style that prioritizes trust, collaboration, and emotional stability throughout the healing process.
Many clients come to Kara after feeling stuck in patterns of anxiety, unresolved trauma, or overwhelming life transitions. Her work focuses on helping individuals feel more grounded, more present, and less controlled by past experiences.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Tennessee
Certified EMDR Therapist
Specialized in Trauma and Perinatal Mental Health
Considering a More Focused Approach? Check Out Our EMDR Intensive Options:
While many clients benefit from weekly EMDR therapy sessions, some find that a more concentrated format better supports their healing process.
EMDR intensives provide extended sessions designed to allow deeper processing over a shorter period of time. This approach can be helpful for individuals who want to move through specific experiences more efficiently or who prefer fewer interruptions between sessions.
EMDR intensives are always carefully planned and paced to ensure emotional safety, stability, and support throughout the process.
EMDR Consultation for Therapists
With Kara Guindin, LCSW, PMH-C
Certified EMDR Therapist
EMDRIA Approved Consultant in Training (CIT)
Are you working toward EMDR certification, feeling stuck with a case, or wanting deeper confidence beyond simply following the protocol? I offer individual EMDR consultation for therapists seeking certification hours or support strengthening clinical skills. My style is collaborative, thoughtful, and grounded in both protocol fidelity and clinical depth.
Who this is for
✦ Completing EMDR Basic Training and needing consultation hours
✦ Pursuing EMDRIA certification
✦ Wanting up to 15 hours toward the 20-hour certification requirement
✦ Feeling stuck with blocked processing or looping
✦ Working with complex trauma and wanting support with case conceptualization
✦ Integrating EMDR with somatic approaches, parts work, and attachment theory
✦ Working with birth trauma, sexual assault, childhood abuse, or relational trauma
In consultation, we will strengthen fidelity to the Standard EMDR Protocol while also exploring adaptations for complex trauma, blocked processing, dissociation, and deeper case conceptualization. My goal is not only to help you accrue hours, but to grow into a grounded, confident EMDR clinician.
Structure and fees
✦ 50-minute individual consultation sessions
✦ $125 per session
✦ In person or virtual
✦ Up to 15 consultation hours applicable toward EMDRIA certification
✦ Documentation provided in accordance with EMDRIA requirements
FAQs
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The easiest way to get started is to book a free 20-minute phone consultation through the Client Portal. If you have a quick question, you can also reach out through the contact form.
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An intake session is typically 50 minutes. You’ll talk through what brings you to therapy, what you’re currently navigating, and begin outlining a plan for your goals.
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EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured, research-supported approach that helps the brain process distressing memories or experiences so they feel less overwhelming over time.
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EMDR can be a good fit if you feel stuck in painful memories, strong emotional triggers, intrusive thoughts, or patterns that seem connected to past experiences. A consultation is the best way to determine fit and discuss options.
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Therapy is collaborative and tailored to your needs. Some sessions may focus on understanding patterns and building coping strategies, while others may focus more on how your body responds to stress, trauma, and overwhelm. Sometimes therapy can feel worse before it feels better.
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Yes. Telehealth is a secure, HIPAA-compliant option and is available virtually throughout Tennessee. It can be an effective way to work together, especially for clients who prefer convenience or have limited childcare options.
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Most clients start weekly. Frequency can shift over time depending on goals and needs.
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Yes. Kara offers extended 80-minute sessions and also offers EMDR intensives for clients who want more concentrated work in a single day or a series of sessions.
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Wise Roots Therapy is an out-of-network provider, which means the practice is not directly contracted with insurance companies. Kara can assist with out-of-network billing, and you may be able to receive reimbursement depending on your plan. Out-of-network benefits may be available. Check your benefits here.
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Cancellations, rescheduled sessions, and no-shows are subject to the full session fee if notice is not received at least 48 hours in advance. Arriving more than 15 minutes late is considered a no-show.
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Wise Roots Therapy is located in the Donelson neighborhood of Nashville, TN. Kara sees clients in person there and virtually throughout Tennessee.
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No. Kara does not prescribe medication, but can provide referrals to other professionals who can.
Wise Roots Therapy
2603 Elm Hill Pike #C
Nashville, TN 37214
kara@wiserootstherapy.com
Hours:
Monday 9 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 9 am – 5 pm
Friday 10 am – 4 pm
Begin Healing With EMDR Therapy in Nashville
You do not have to carry overwhelming memories, anxiety, or emotional distress alone. EMDR therapy at Wise Roots Therapy in Nashville offers a safe, compassionate way to help your brain process what feels stuck, and a free consultation provides a gentle first step to explore whether this support feels right for you.