EMDR Therapy
As a Level II Certified EMDR therapist based in Henderson and serving the entire Las Vegas Valley, Dr. Valerie Leclercq, Ed.D, LCPC, LPC offers a steady, compassionate path toward healing, including adults and LGBTQ+ clients seeking a safe, affirming therapeutic space. Trauma can feel like a lingering shadow that touches every part of daily life, but EMDR therapy provides a way to gently process those painful experiences in a safe, supported space.
For many people, trauma also brings symptoms like anxiety, depression, or persistent emotional overwhelm—concerns that EMDR Therapy can help ease as your nervous system begins to settle. EMDR—Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing—is a specialized, evidence-based approach that allows you to process overwhelming memories without reliving them. With her gentle, restorative presence, Dr. Valerie Leclercq, Ed.D, LCPC, LPC guides each session at a pace that honors your safety, autonomy, and readiness.
Understanding EMDR Therapy and How It Works
EMDR Therapy is effective because it doesn’t require you to relive traumatic experiences in detail. Instead, Dr. Leclercq uses eye movements and other forms of bilateral stimulation to help your brain naturally reprocess painful memories. This method is recognised as an evidence-based treatment by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). For many adults seeking PTSD treatment—especially those worried about retraumatization—EMDR offers a gentle way to ease the nervous system and transform the emotional weight of the past into something more manageable.
Why Choose EMDR For Trauma-Focused Therapy?
Often, trauma isn’t a single event but a series of distressing experiences over time. EMDR Therapy is adept at addressing complex trauma by delicately untangling these memories and creating space for healing. As an EMDR therapist, Dr. Leclercq specializes in helping clients find relief and a more balanced emotional state, and she can also help you understand how EMDR differs from approaches like CBT as you explore what feels right for your healing.
Many individuals hesitate to seek treatment due to a fear of retraumatization, but her approach emphasizes safety, respect, and steadiness—allowing you to process trauma in a manner that feels calm and controlled.
Non-Invasive: Minimal need to verbally revisit traumatic memories.
Quick Results: Often fewer sessions compared to conventional talk therapy.
Safe Environment: Creates a secure space to confront and resolve trauma.
Empowering: Empowers you to gain control over painful past experiences.
Emotional Regulation: Creates support during daily challenges like stress, anxiety, or overwhelm.
Dr. Valerie’s Credentials & Approach
As an EMDR Certified Therapist, Dr. Leclercq possesses an expansive understanding of trauma-focused therapies. Her extensive training ensures you're in capable hands. Her method combines a grounded clinical approach with compassion-focused techniques, offering personalized therapy that meets you where you are, whether in Henderson, Boulder City, or Las Vegas.
Answering Your Concerns About EMDR Therapy
It’s natural to have questions about a therapeutic process, especially one as unique as EMDR. EMDR has been proven safe and effective for various types of trauma. EMDR is backed by decades of research and is recognized by organizations like the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization as an effective treatment for trauma. Here are a few clarifications to reassure and inform:
Will I have to talk in detail about my trauma? No, detailed verbal sharing of traumatic events is not necessary in your individual sessions.
How does EMDR work? It facilitates the brain’s natural healing process through structured phases of engagement.
Is EMDR safe? Yes, EMDR has been proven safe and effective for various types of trauma.
What if I don’t remember everything about the trauma? It's okay. EMDR doesn’t rely on having a clear or complete memory of the event. Even vague impressions, emotions, or body sensations can be used to begin the healing work. Your brain knows where to go—and EMDR gently supports that process.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR
In understanding EMDR Therapy, these frequently asked questions may offer further insight:
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Sessions consist of a series of structured phases, starting with history-taking, preparation, and progressing to engaging your natural ability to heal through guided eye movements or alternative stimuli.
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This varies for each individual. Some may experience significant relief in just a few sessions, while others might require a longer engagement for complex trauma. Your needs are valid, just as they are. There’s no reason to feel ashamed or guilty for honoring them.
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Yes, eye movement therapy is especially effective for treating post-traumatic stress disorder by helping neutralize the emotional impact of memories.
Begin Your Healing Journey In Henderson With EMDR
Taking the step toward healing is a deeply personal journey, and having steady, compassionate support can make all the difference. In the care of Dr. Valerie Leclercq, you can begin this process with a sense of safety and trust. From her Henderson office, she provides evidence-based EMDR Therapy to individuals throughout the Las Vegas Valley—including Boulder City, Summerlin, and neighboring communities—creating a grounded space where you can process trauma and reclaim your inner strength.
Reach out today to explore how trauma recovery counseling can help you reshape your relationship with the past. Your path to lasting healing begins here.