EMDR Therapy Charlottesville, VA

Find relief from trauma and anxiety with evidence-based care available online throughout Charlottesville

EMDR Therapy in Charlottesville: A Path Beyond the Past

Find strength and clarity to enjoy the community you call home

From sunny afternoons at Carter Mountain Orchard to lively evenings at the Ting Pavilion, Charlottesville is a place filled with opportunities to connect and thrive. Yet when past trauma or unresolved anxiety continues to surface, it can feel impossible to enjoy those experiences. You may feel disconnected from others, weighed down by memories, or constantly bracing for the next wave of stress. EMDR therapy provides a proven way to help your brain reprocess what has been holding you back, so you can begin to live more freely. With guidance and care, you can find strength, stability, and renewed hope right here in Charlottesville.

How EMDR Therapy Can Help You Find Relief in Charlottesville, VA

Evidence-based care tailored to your story, guided by advanced training and experience

EMDR therapy is designed to help your brain reprocess painful experiences so they no longer carry the same weight in your daily life. For adults in Charlottesville who feel stuck in cycles of fear, worry, or painful memories, EMDR offers a structured and proven path toward freedom. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-II), I provide evidenced based treatments to include EMDR, CBT, and CPT to support your journey. My approach combines compassionate care with practical tools, creating a space where you can safely face the past, build resilience, and rediscover peace in the moments that matter most.

woman participating in EMDR Therapy in Charlottesville VA

Why People in Charlottesville, VA Turn to EMDR Therapy

  • Secure online sessions that make therapy accessible no matter where you are in Virginia

  • Proven, evidence-based care with a focus on EMDR and other effective treatments

  • Guidance from a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-II) with advanced training in trauma recovery

  • A treatment plan tailored specifically to your personal goals and values

  • Strategies and perspectives you can apply in everyday life, long after the session ends

  • The option to incorporate your Christian faith into therapy if you would like it to be part of your journey


Starting therapy often feels like a leap of faith, and it’s natural to wonder if you’ll connect with your therapist. Research shows that progress in therapy isn’t just about the techniques—it’s about the strength of the therapeutic relationship. When you feel safe and understood, you’re able to move forward with greater confidence. My role is to provide that kind of space, one where you can feel supported and know you don’t have to face your challenges alone.

Finding the Right Counseling Support in Charlottesville, VA

Meet Your Charlottesville, VA EMDR Therapist

Sarah Theimer; our EMDR Therapist in Charlottesville, VA

  • Owner

    I’m Sarah Theimer, owner and founder of Breakthrough Mental Health Counseling. I work with adults across Charlottesville who want to break free from the effects of trauma, anxiety, and stress through EMDR therapy, as well as approaches like CBT and CPT. My counseling style blends practical skills for navigating daily stressors with deeper therapeutic work to address the core issues holding you back. I am especially passionate about supporting first responders and their loved ones, bringing both professional expertise and personal understanding as the wife of a first responder. My goal is to create a safe, encouraging space where you can rediscover strength, experience peace, and move forward with greater confidence in yourself and your future.

Who Benefits Most From My Counseling Style

  • Are adults (18+) living anywhere in Virginia who want the ease of telehealth sessions

  • Seek lasting transformation instead of quick, surface-level fixes

  • Value a balance of compassion and accountability in therapy

  • Want to work through the deeper roots of trauma, anxiety, or stress

  • Are willing to step into the discomfort that often leads to growth

  • Prefer a collaborative process where their goals remain central

  • Desire strategies and skills they can rely on long after therapy ends

  • Appreciate the privacy and flexibility of online counseling that adapts to their schedule

The clients I serve best include those who:

EMDR Therapy With a Personalized Approach in Charlottesville, VA

Evidence-based care designed to help you move forward

When you begin EMDR therapy with me, you’ll find a process that adapts to your unique needs and goals. Together, we’ll create a plan that feels both supportive and effective:

  • Collaborative – You share your story and hopes for change, and I bring clinical expertise and encouragement to guide the journey.

  • Evidence-based – I use EMDR, along with CBT and CPT, to address the lasting impact of anxiety, trauma, and stress.

  • Individualized – Therapy is tailored around your specific needs so it feels relevant and meaningful.

  • Focused on progress – Together, we’ll reprocess painful memories while building healthier responses to life’s challenges.

  • Strength-centered – Over time, you can develop resilience, discover calm, and experience a renewed sense of confidence.

a hand reaching out to start EMDR Therapy in Charlottesville, VA

Take the Next Step Toward Renewal in Charlottesville, VA

Find peace and resilience with EMDR therapy tailored to your life

Living in Charlottesville, you may know what it feels like to carry heavy thoughts while walking through the beauty of the Downtown Mall, sitting under the shade of trees at UVA, or watching the sunset over Carter Mountain. Even surrounded by these reminders of peace, the weight of past experiences can make it hard to fully enjoy them. EMDR therapy offers a way forward by helping you process painful memories, reduce anxiety, and reclaim the joy that life in Charlottesville has to offer.

If you’re ready to break free from the cycle of stress and step into a season of renewal, I would be honored to walk with you. Together, we can create space for growth that brings calm, clarity, and hope into your daily life.