Vanessa Simmons, MS, LPC, SEP, RPT™

(She/Her)

EMDR Certified Therapist

EMDR Consultant-in-Training

About Me

Hello! I’m Vanessa—a Licensed Professional Counselor, EMDR Certified Therapist, EMDR Consultant-in-Training, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and a Registered Play Therapist™. I am currently accepting adult clients for EMDR Therapy Intensives, a focused approach that allows clients to process trauma and past experiences in a condensed timeframe. EMDR Therapy Intensives can be a powerful option for those looking to move through therapeutic work at a deeper pace or who have limited time for ongoing weekly therapy. Potential Benefits of EMDR Therapy Intensives: Accelerated Healing: By engaging in longer, concentrated sessions, clients may experience quicker progress, addressing past experiences and traumas more efficiently than with traditional weekly sessions. Focused Support: EMDR intensives allow for dedicated, uninterrupted time to work through difficult experiences, enabling a focused healing journey within a structured, supportive environment. Reduced Disruption: For those with busy lives or challenging schedules, intensive sessions can offer the chance to make significant strides without the need for ongoing weekly appointments. Decreased Symptoms: Clients often report reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other distressing effects of trauma, helping them regain a sense of calm and presence in their daily lives. Enhanced Resilience and Self-Connection: By working through trauma and stressors, clients can connect more deeply to their inner wisdom, improve self-compassion, and build a foundation for long-term resilience and emotional well-being. If you are ready to take the next step in your healing journey, reach out to discuss how EMDR Therapy Intensives may support your needs.

Education & Experience

BA in Psychology and MS in Clinical Psychology from Millersville University; EMDR Sandtray Specialist, AGATE Institute; Flash Technique and Intensive Trauma-Focused Therapy Training, Trauma Institute & Child Trauma Institute; Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), Somatic Experiencing® International; Registered Play Therapist™ (RPT™), Association for Play Therapy; Internal Family Systems, Level 1, IFS Institute; and Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator, Center for Trauma and Embodiment at JRI

Professional & Volunteer Affiliations

Association for Play Therapy; Pennsylvania Counseling Association

Specialty Area

  • Abuse/Neglect
  • Anxiety/Panic Attacks
  • Birth Trauma/Pregnancy Loss
  • Grief/Loss/Mourning
  • Headaches/Migraines
  • Moral Injury
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Somatic Issues
  • Stress Management
  • Survivor's Guilt
  • Traumatic Incident

Population Served

  • Adults
  • BIPOC
  • First Responders
  • Group
  • LGBTQ+
  • Veterans/Military

Language

  • English
  • German

Insurance

  • BlueCross BlueShield
  • Highmark

Capital Blue Cross