Dr. Lisa Robinson offers intensive EMDR therapy options to those who prefer to see meaningful changes in anxiety, depression, and traumatic stress symptoms faster than is possible in traditional weekly therapy.

I am committed to clinical excellence.  I will stay informed and up-to-date on the latest research.  I continuously pursue advanced training and receive ongoing consultation with experts in EMDR and related fields.  I will adhere to the ethics of my profession and do my best in responding to your needs, including making a referral to another provider if I believe that I am not the best fit for your needs.  

I have expertise in working with both military-connected persons and First Responders which was developed through my 10+ years working at the Houston VA, my work with Veteran-focused organizations (e.g., Lone Survivor Foundation, Headstrong Project), my work with both military-connected persons and First Responders in my private practice, and my pursuit of advanced trainings in working with these groups of people.

More generally, issues and conditions that I can help with include:

• Trauma-related conditions / Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 
• Painful childhood experiences
• Anxiety (e.g., panic, worry, phobias…) 
• Depression 
• Complicated / traumatic bereavement  
• Work-related stress 
• Self-esteem issues 
• Anger management​ 
• Stress & burnout 
• Relationship problems 
• Adjustment issues (e.g., relationship ending, job change, life transition issues)

I do not specialize in / provide services for the following issues: 

• Couples/marital therapy 
• Child/adolescent/family services 
• Eating Disorders 
• Sexual functioning issues 
• Conditions in which the primary issue (i.e., focus of therapy) is substance abuse
• Severe personality disorders 
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 
• Primary psychotic disorders 
• Severe social anxiety  

Note:  As a part-time private practice clinician, I am not as available or flexible as some other providers, and I am not often immediately available by telephone. We will both need to take this into account when deciding whether or not I’m the most appropriate provider for you to work with. Persons with more intense issues/needs or those needing frequent between-session contact, may be better served by a different provider with more availability/flexibility in their schedule.    

I believe that current symptoms more often than not have deeper roots that need to be the target of treatment – in other words, a heal-the-cause not just the symptom approach.  I utilize the powerful effectiveness of EMDR Therapy with clients who are ready to live without anxiety, depression, dissociation, phobias, addiction, and post-traumatic stress. I'm continually astounded by how powerful and flexible EMDR Therapy is in helping people change what hurts.  My clinical approach is also informed by polyvagal theory and what we know about the mind-body connection, neurobiology, attachment, and ego states.  I 'grew up' in the cognitive-behavioral therapy tradition, and I utilize pieces of this approach when clinically indicated.  We will choose a mix of techniques and frameworks that are most beneficial for you. 

It’s highly likely.  EMDR addresses the psychological and physical symptoms stemming from adverse life experiences. It can be effectively utilized for:  

• Resourcing: We will work to strengthen internal resources while soothing parts of you that feel limited. EMDR utilizes images, emotions, body sensations, and positive cognitions to increase feelings of calm, safety, and confidence.  
• Resolving relationship difficulties:  Attachment-focused EMDR works to repair unmet development needs (often called attachment wounding) when we have experienced an absence of care/neglect or abuse.   
• Trauma recovery: While I often utilize EMDR for clients with big “T” trauma (e.g. a major car accident, assault), I also support clients with small “t” traumas (e.g. chronic or ongoing stressful conditions, such as interpersonal conflict, difficult parents, financial stress). One of the most overlooked aspects of small ‘t’ traumas is their accumulated effect. Multiple, compounded small ‘t’ traumas may lead to distress in the nervous system and trouble with emotional functioning.  
• A variety of other conditions as noted here

EMDR is a form of adaptive information processing which helps the brain evolve from limiting beliefs. EMDR may avoid some of the long and difficult abreactive work often involved in the treatment of anxiety, panic attack, post-traumatic stress symptoms (such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks), dissociative disorders, depression, phobias, identity crisis, and other adverse experiences.   

Research in neuroplasticity demonstrates that our brain has the ability to change, create new neural pathways, and produce new neurons. Because the brain has this ability to change, we have the ability to change our way of thinking and improve mood. Neural pathways in the brain are strengthened with repetition. One way to describe this process is “neurons that fire together, wire together.” Constant repetition of an experience leads to changes within the brain’s structure and how the neurons process that experience. EMDR utilizes our brains’ neuroplasticity to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, which allows the brain to compensate for injury and adjust to new situations. 

Imagine being able to save yourself weeks or even months of therapy,  achieving results more quickly while also enjoying the compounding  effect of your breakthroughs in a much shorter period of time.  EMDR intensives are personalized treatment plans that allow you to skip the waitlist by giving you faster access to select spots, and are designed to support your preferred schedule and timeline for your treatment goals.  Learn more about the benefits of working intensively here.

The short answer is – it depends on a variety of factors, including the complexity of your history and needs and the number of treatment goals you have.  I've had clients who achieved their goal in as little as a couple sessions, and I've had clients who took a year or more to reach their goals.  My goal is always to help you reach your goals as efficiently and effectively as possible.  Please note that EMDR Intensives typically involve fewer sessions that are longer in length with accelerated treatment gains. 

All sessions are provided via telehealth through a HIPAA-compliant, secure platform.  I support clients who are physically located in Texas in 3 ways:  

• Weekly sessions
• Personalized treatment programs for individuals (EMDR Intensives)   
• Adjunct EMDR intensive therapy (4-12 intensive sessions) in collaboration with your primary talk therapist   

If do not live in Texas, we can arrange for you to fly here for treatment.   

Please note:  I am currently working on getting licensed in North Carolina which will allow me to work with clients physically located there as well.   

Maybe. Many insurance companies reimburse a portion of the cost of psychotherapy. For insurance purposes, I am considered an out-of-network provider. It is your responsibility to determine the exact details of your policy ahead of time, including what benefits are available regarding out-of-network providers.  See my page on insurance for additional details.

Yes. I hold a few slots for individuals with Tricare wherein I accept assignment (out-of-network but participating).  I also hold a few slots for Headstrong Project participants. 

When space is available, I offer a 12-week, sliding scale program for clients who wish to work with me on targeted treatment goals and are not able to pay my full fee. Please note the sliding scale program is full through the end of 2022.  

I typically offer appointments during regular daytime hours.  My private practice hours include: 

Mondays:  1pm - 5pm 

Thursdays:  8am - 7pm *

Fridays:  8am - noon 

Friday afternoons - PRN  

I'm not available on Tuesdays, Wednesday, or Monday mornings because I work at the Houston VA during those times.

*A limited number of evening hours are available at premium pricing.