When should my child see a psychiatrist vs. a therapist?

A therapist helps children work through emotions, behavioral challenges, and life changes through talk therapy. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose complex mental health conditions and prescribe medication. If your child has been in therapy but still struggles, or if a professional has suggested medication might help, it's time to see a psychiatrist.

Can my child see both a psychiatrist and therapist?

Yes, this is common and often recommended. A psychiatrist manages medication and monitors its effectiveness, while a therapist provides ongoing talk therapy and coping strategies. This team approach offers comprehensive mental health care.

What mental health conditions require a child psychiatrist?

Conditions that often benefit from psychiatric care include ADHD, severe anxiety or depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, treatment-resistant depression, and any condition where medication may be helpful.

How do I find a child psychiatrist in Charlotte, NC?

Pediatric & Family Behavioral Health (PFBHNC) in Charlotte offers comprehensive psychiatric care for children, adolescents, and adults. Located at 10420 Park Rd, Suite 300, the practice accepts most major insurance plans.

Go With That: Understanding EMDR Therapy for All Ages

PFBH
Jan 22
4 min read

Updated: 7 days ago

Quick Answer

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapy approach that uses bilateral stimulation (like eye movements or tapping) to help the brain reprocess distressing memories and reduce their emotional intensity. You may hear “go with that,” which means allowing thoughts, feelings, or body sensations to arise naturally while staying grounded. EMDR can be adapted for children, teens, adults, and seniors.

You may hear the phrase “go with that” during therapy, especially when EMDR is being used. This gentle phrase means allowing your thoughts, feelings, or body sensations to come up naturally, without forcing them away or trying to control them.

EMDR therapy is designed to help people of all ages move through difficult experiences in a safe, supportive, and structured way. The goal is not to relive the past, but to help the brain process experiences that still feel emotionally charged in the present.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It was developed in 1987 by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro. She observed that during deep sleep, particularly REM sleep, the eyes move back and forth while the brain processes memories and emotions.

Dr. Shapiro wondered whether similar movements while awake could support healing from stress and trauma. This observation led to the development of EMDR, which is now widely used and researched around the world.

What Is Bilateral Stimulation?

EMDR does not rely only on eye movements. Bilateral stimulation is any back-and-forth stimulation, such as:

Eye movements
Gentle tapping on each side of the body
Alternating sounds (left to right)
Other therapist-guided options suited to the client

At PFBH, EMDR-trained clinicians choose methods that fit the client’s needs and comfort.

How EMDR Works in Therapy

With guidance from a trained EMDR therapist, clients identify memories, thoughts, or experiences that still cause emotional discomfort. These do not need to be extreme or dramatic events. They may include childhood experiences, relationship difficulties, losses, medical events, or moments when someone felt unsafe, rejected, or not good enough.

While briefly focusing on these experiences, bilateral stimulation is used to help the brain process them. Over time, the emotional intensity often decreases. The memory remains, but it feels less upsetting and no longer carries the same emotional charge or sense of control.

EMDR for Children and Teens

EMDR can be highly effective for children and adolescents. Therapists adapt EMDR using age-appropriate tools such as:

Storytelling
Drawing
Games and creative activities

Many kids and teens experience reduced anxiety, improved emotional regulation, and increased confidence and resilience.

EMDR for Adults

Adults often use EMDR to address anxiety, depression, panic, grief, chronic stress, low self esteem, performance anxiety, and negative beliefs such as “I’m not good enough.”

EMDR can be especially helpful when talk therapy alone has not felt effective. Many adults appreciate that EMDR does not require sharing every detail out loud, which can make the process feel more manageable and less overwhelming.

EMDR for Older Adults and Seniors

EMDR is also effective for older adults and seniors, including those dealing with long held trauma, anxiety, sleep difficulties, physical symptoms related to stress, or emotional distress connected to life changes.

Therapists can adapt EMDR using tapping or tones for individuals who have difficulty following eye movements. Many older adults report improved emotional well being and relief from symptoms that may have persisted for decades.

More Than PTSD

EMDR is well known for treating post traumatic stress disorder and other trauma related concerns. It can help reduce symptoms such as intrusive memories, heightened alertness, and avoidance.

EMDR supports the brain’s natural ability to heal by allowing memories to be integrated without overwhelming fear or anxiety. This often leads to improved emotional regulation, stronger self belief, and a greater ability to engage in daily life.

Beyond trauma, EMDR may also be helpful for anxiety, depression, grief, chronic pain, phobias, self esteem challenges, and emotional distress related to life transitions or health concerns. EMDR is not about erasing memories or forcing people to relive painful events. It helps the brain complete a healing process it already knows how to do.

EMDR vs. Talk Therapy (Quick Comparison)

	Talk Therapy (Traditional)	EMDR Therapy
Primary focus	Insight, coping skills, communication, patterns	Reprocessing distressing memories and beliefs with bilateral stimulation
How it feels	Often conversation-led	Structured phases with brief focus on targets + stimulation
Sharing details	May involve discussing details	Often does not require sharing every detail out loud
Best for	Ongoing support, skill-building, life stress	Distress linked to memories, triggers, beliefs, and body reactions

Why Choose Pediatric and Family Behavioral Health

Choosing a therapist is a personal decision, and feeling comfortable with your care team matters. At Pediatric and Family Behavioral Health, EMDR therapy is provided by clinicians who are trained, experienced, and thoughtful in their approach.

Our team works with children, teens, adults, and older adults, and we tailor EMDR to each person’s history, goals, and comfort level. As a multidisciplinary practice, we are able to coordinate care when therapy, psychiatric support, or a combination of services is helpful.

We focus on creating a supportive environment where people feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout the therapeutic process.

When to Seek Help Immediately

Seek urgent help or go to the nearest emergency room if you or a loved one:

Talks about wanting to hurt themselves or end their life
Shows signs of self-harm
Has a sudden, dramatic change in behavior
Can’t function due to severe panic or distress
Becomes aggressive in a way that puts anyone at risk

Crisis support: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)

Curious if EMDR is a fit?

If you’re considering EMDR therapy for yourself or your child, our team at Pediatric & Family Behavioral Health in Charlotte can help you understand options and next steps.

Schedule a Consultation

Key Takeaways

“Go with that” means allowing thoughts, feelings, or sensations to arise naturally during EMDR
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, tones) to help reprocess distressing experiences
EMDR can be adapted for children, teens, adults, and seniors
EMDR is used for trauma/PTSD and may also help with anxiety, depression, grief, and other concerns
Healing is possible at any age with the right support

About the Author

Shravni Aterkar, LCMHC, is an EMDR-trained therapist at Pediatric & Family Behavioral Health (PFBH). She works with teens, adults, and older adults, using compassionate, evidence-based approaches to support healing, resilience, and emotional well-being.