EMDR Consulting For Trauma Therapists
Support for Therapists Navigating Complex Cases Beyond EMDR Basic Training
Whether you’re fresh out of basic training or have been waving your fingers (or tappers) for years, I’m here to help you refine your EMDR skills, troubleshoot stuck points, and zoom out to understand the deeper why and how behind what’s showing up in session.
Because let’s be honest, EMDR is powerful. But when you're working with real humans carrying complex trauma? The script doesn’t always cut it.
Hi, my name is Sarah Herstich!
I’ve been an EMDR therapist since 2018 and have seen the power and life changing impact of somatically focused EMDR therapy time and time again.
As an EMDR consultant in training, SEP and trauma specialist, I help therapists feel more confident, competent, and supported in their work.
Let’s make EMDR feel less like following a rigid script and more like something that actually works for the real humans in your office.
Support for EMDR Therapists Who Feel Stuck or Unsure
You’ve got the training. You’ve followed the steps. But in practice?
You still find yourself wondering:
“Am I doing this right?”
“Why isn’t this target reprocessing?”
“What do I do when this client doesn’t respond the way the manual said they would?”
You’re not doing it wrong. You’re doing hard, nuanced work, and you don’t have to figure it out alone.
I help EMDR therapists feel more confident, clear, and clinically grounded, especially when things get messy.
Together, we’ll:
Identify what’s getting in the way of progress (it’s not always the protocol)
Rebuild your trust in your instincts
Help you feel more attuned, flexible, and steady in the room
I help EMDR therapists build confidence and adapt their work for clients who don’t seem fit the protocol mold (despite your EMDR trainer’s insistence that they would!)
What no one taught you about using EMDR with trauma and dissociation
"Should I even be using EMDR right now?"
If that question’s been keeping you up at night, or echoing in your head mid-session, please know this…
Basic training doesn’t teach us what to do when clients dissociate, freeze, or disappear halfway through a set.
As your EMDR Consultant in Training, I’ll help you:
Understand what’s happening in your client’s system when they walk into the room. When they’re sitting with you. When they’re sharing about their history. When reprocessing stalls or doesn’t feel safe.
Recognize when to slow down or shift gears- without feeling like you’re doing it wrong
Build a trauma-informed roadmap that honors your client’s pace, parts, and capacity for healing
Because it’s truly not about pushing through a protocol.
It’s about attuning to the nervous system in front of you, and knowing what to do, not only for your client, but for yourself, when things get complex.
Every EMDR therapist has had those moments of “what the actual f* am I even doing!?”
The good news? You don’t have to continue to try and figure it out on your own.
That’s why EMDR consultation exists.
Why Work With Me as Your EMDR Consultant?
I’ve been a trauma therapist for over 15 years.
And, in that time, I’ve:
Specialized in grief, complex PTSD, eating disorders, dissociation, and somatic therapy- because real healing happens in the nervous system, not just in the head.
Built a thriving trauma, eating disorder and EMDR therapy group practice focused on helping people recover from trauma, disordered eating, and deep nervous system imprints.
Supervised and consulted with therapists who want to feel more grounded and effective in their work- without (or solidly alongside) the imposter syndrome spiral.
I’m a group practice owner who understands the nuance of attracting right fit clients. From business building to marketing and retention, I’ve got you!
How My Approach to EMDR Consultation Is Different
EMDR is amazing, but the traditional protocol doesn’t always account for the messy realities of trauma recovery.
Here’s what you’ll get when you work with me:
Somatic & polyvagal integration so you can help clients expand their window of tolerance instead of getting stuck in freezing, looping, or dissociating.
Solid conceptualization skills to help you map out where you’re going and why you’re going there. Plus, you’ll have access to my teams tools, templates and notes to support you in planning for sessions.
A consultant who gets the messy, beautiful, sometimes frustrating reality of trauma therapy and won’t make you feel bad for being human.
Permission to adapt EMDR for complex trauma, dissociation, and body-based healing. Because “follow the script” doesn’t always work for every nervous system.
But first…you have to know the rules to break the rules.
What I Offer as a Trauma and EMDR Consultant
Individual EMDR Consultation & Somatic Integration
One-on-one support to troubleshoot cases, handle stuck points, and make you feel like the badass therapist you actually are.
Consultation for EMDR with Eating Disorders & Body Image Trauma
Supporting you as you integrate EMDR with food, body image, and trauma work, without reinforcing shame or disconnection.
Group EMDR Consultation
A space to learn, grow, and geek out over trauma work and EMDR with other therapists. (yes, we will absolutely lovingly roast our overly complicated note-taking.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be fully trained in EMDR to work with you?
Nope! Whether you’re planning to complete basic training, still completing basic training or have been certified for years, you’re welcome here. I support EMDR therapists at every stage, especially those who left training feeling like they still had a thousand questions (because, let’s be honest, I did too!).
Can we talk about more than just protocol issues?
Absolutely. EMDR consultation with me includes case conceptualization, somatic integration, dissociation support, parts work, and even your own nervous system responses in the room. You don’t have to leave your complexity, or your humanity, at the door.
Do you offer group consultation?
Yes! Group consultation is a great way to learn alongside other therapists, hear how others are navigating similar stuck points, and feel a little less alone in the work. Reach out to join the waitlist or get upcoming dates.
Is this consultation eligible toward EMDRIA certification hours?
If you’re pursuing EMDRIA certification and need official consultation hours, just let me know up front. As a consultant in training, I can offer up to 15 hours of consultation hours toward your certification.
Can you help me with practice building?
Yes, especially if you're trying to build a trauma-focused, values-aligned practice that doesn’t burn you out. I’ve grown a thriving and successful group practice and love supporting other therapists in integrating the clinical with the practical. We can absolutely weave business-building support into our consultation time.
What’s the cost for consultation?
Individual consultation is $180 per 50-minute session.
Group consultation is $50 per person, per group.