Advanced EMDR Therapy for Adults with Anxiety in Tempe, Arizona
Are you looking for a highly experienced therapist who knows how to use EMDR effectively? I use advanced EMDR Therapy with adults to help find, target and heal the causes of your anxiety symptoms.
“I can’t stop overthinking”
“I’m worried all the time”
“It doesn’t feel safe to relax”
“They will find out I don’t deserve to be here”
“I have to keep everyone around me happy all the time”
“If I tell them my real feelings or needs, they won’t want me around anymore”
I know that it’s 100% possible to heal from overthinking, insecurities, that inner critical voice, and that constant, people-pleasing perfectionism that leaves you burned out, exhausted, overwhelmed, and feeling empty and alone.
Yes, it’s possible to calm down, slow down, connect with the present moment, be your authentic self, and keep your relationships. In fact, you can feel closer to others and more secure by being your authentic self. You are too scared right now to risk rejection. But I’ve got you.
Hi, I’m Taana Abbitt, Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I’ve been a therapist for 24 years.
But more importantly, I’m a person who has recovered from overthinking, insecurities, and that inner critical voice. I’ve learned to accept and love myself, attend to my own needs, and to slow down and connect with the present moment. I have done the emotional work to get there. Now, I guide others to that place, even though it may seem impossible to you right now.
You’ve already got a lot on your plate. You don’t need 10 more things to try and remember – “Things to do when you feel anxious.” In fact, when you’re feeling anxious, it’s hard to remember all the things you should do to calm yourself down. There’s no talking you out of it. The part of your brain that perceives threats is on high alert – it doesn’t feel safe enough to stop and think.
The truth is, you are carrying trauma from your past. These problems don’t develop without it. It might not be those “Big T” traumas that everyone thinks of – like a life threatening event. You have trauma from circumstances – from relationships, the emotional climate of your home growing up. Your trauma is from being highly sensitive and growing up with a parent with uncontrolled anger, who was also emotionally distant.
As much as you want to say it wasn’t that bad, you wouldn’t have that overthinking, those nagging insecurities, that people-pleasing perfectionism, and that inner critical voice you can’t turn off, without it.
If you are tired of letting that inner critical voice and fear of rejection run your life, I can help you build self-trust, internal calm, and recognize the value and worth of your authentic self.
I skillfully blend EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and Somatic Therapy to identify and work through past experiences that are holding you back from feeling peaceful and secure today.
Let’s explore if it feels right to work together…
Schedule your free 20-minute consultation today.
More about Taana Abbitt, LCSW:
Highly Qualified – I am an independently licensed therapist in Arizona. I have completed a 60 credit master’s degree in clinical social work, 3200 hours of supervised practice, and passed the highest level national exam in my field.
Highly Experienced – I have 24 years of practice experience since completing graduate school in 2001.
Highly Trusted – I have been honored to have many past clients seek me out when they want therapy again. I have held leadership positions, but came back to what I love best, doing therapy.
Highly Trained – I have over 200 hours of EMDR therapy training and extensive training in other specialty therapy methods.
As an EMDR Therapist for anxiety in Tempe, Arizona, I help people who want to:
- Develop inner calm and stop overthinking
- Develop a healthy relationship with their inner, authentic selves and their emotions
- Show up in a healthy way in relationships
- Work to achieve lasting relief from anxiety and trauma symptoms
How is my work and perspective different?
As an independently licensed therapist, I bring depth, extensive training, and decades of experience to my work. My approach goes far beyond talk therapy and combines EMDR, IFS, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and psychodrama—offering a holistic path to deep healing that honors and addresses both mind and body.
“I have known and worked with Taana as both her supervisor and a colleague since 2015. She continually amazes me with insight, empathy, and compassion for all those she works with. Her vast range of experience in many different environments of care sets her apart from other clinicians by giving her a perspective that is unique and comprehensive.
I am also always struck by Taana’s desire to continue to learn and grow as a clinician and that knowledge combined with her innate instincts make her one of the most talented clinicians that I have ever worked with. I would not hesitate to refer the people I care most about in the world to her for care and treatment.” – Sonia S., LCSW, Clinical Director
I provide trauma-informed and holistic individual therapy in Tempe, Arizona for adults with:
- Anxiety
- Phobias
- Panic attacks
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Childhood trauma that was not life-threatening, just difficult
- Low Self-Esteem and Insecurities
- Inner Critic
- Codependence
- Perfectionistic people-pleasing
- Fear of rejection
EMDR Therapy for Adults with Anxiety in Tempe, AZ
Past experiences that felt overwhelming at the time leave an imprint in your nervous system. I provide individual therapy for adults in Tempe, Arizona that goes beyond talk therapy, using body-based and experiential methods like EMDR, Internal Family Systems or IFS, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and Psychodrama to help you move toward true relief and integration.
EMDR Therapy (In-Person & Online)
EMDR is a powerful, research-supported method that helps people process trauma safely. I offer EMDR therapy to clients across Arizona, both in my Tempe office and online via secure telehealth. I have over 215 hours of training and consultation in using EMDR. Standard EMDR is only 40 hours of training and 10 hours of consultation.
IFS & Parts Work
Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps you connect with the younger, protective, or reactive parts of yourself that formed in response to painful or overwhelming events or circumstances. This inner work creates space for deep healing, compassion, and self-leadership.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a body-centered approach to healing trauma. It helps you become more aware of how your body holds stress, fear, and unresolved emotions—especially when words aren’t enough. By gently tracking physical sensations and movement patterns, we work together to release trauma held in the nervous system and restore a sense of safety and connection.
Psychodrama (for Individuals)
Psychodrama is an experiential therapy that uses role play, imagination, and guided action to explore emotions, inner conflicts, and life experiences. In individual sessions, we can use objects, movement, and creative techniques to help you safely express and process what words alone can’t reach. This powerful approach can bring clarity, emotional release, and a deeper connection to your authentic self.
I provide in-person therapy in Tempe, Arizona or to people located any where in Arizona through a secure telehealth platform.
Did you know? Only a licensed therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse practitioner has the education, training, and legal permission to provide assessment, interventions or treatment for mental health problems. Any unlicensed person claiming to provide help for a mental health problem is operating outside of Arizona state laws. No certifications of any kind qualify a person to provide mental health services.
You can read more about this here – Coaching vs. Therapy.
Wondering if experiential therapy would be right for you?
I accept a limited number of clients that I believe would have good outcomes from the types of therapy I use.
Experiential therapy is a good choice if:
You are able to connect with your emotions and body. People who have experience with yoga, meditation, or mindfulness do really well with the experiential therapy techniques I use.
You are able to visualize in your mind’s eye and think abstractly and creatively rather than concretely (Can you picture a lemon? Can you pick an object to represent your Boss?).
You have tried some general or talk therapy, and feel ready to do deeper work to try and resolve emotional issues.
You recognize that growth in therapy requires tolerating emotions and situations that may feel uncomfortable, and you’re willing to put in the work.
You’ve talked about your trauma with a therapist, but it still hijacks your thoughts, emotions, and behavior and keeps you stuck. You realize talking about it isn’t enough.
You have tried logic-based therapy like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, but you still have anxiety and trauma responses stuck in your body and mind (CBT is effective for 40-50% of people).
You have tried Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP) for OCD or a phobia, but you just keep developing new obsessions or compulsive behaviors, or the phobia persists.
You are in couple’s counseling, and you want to do some individual processing of experiences or trauma.
You know your current symptoms are probably rooted in childhood experiences or trauma, and you are looking for a therapist who can expertly facilitate this work.
You are ready and willing to do some focused trauma work.
Experiential therapy will not be a good fit right now if:
You are not able to keep yourself safe in your daily life and take care of your basic needs.
You are not able to invest in therapy sessions at least twice a month, without it being a hardship. This is the minimum necessary to build and maintain momentum towards your goals.
You have suicidal or homicidal thoughts (A higher level of care is appropriate).
You have self-harm behavior like cutting, burning, head banging, or hitting (A Dialectic Behavior Therapy program is recommended).
You have Dissociative Identity Disorder. This is beyond my skill set. There are therapists who specialize in working with DID.
You have intense anger, blame other people and take your anger out on other people (A therapist who specializes in Borderline Personality Disorder is recommended).
You don’t take responsibility for yourself or your problems and are looking to be “fixed” or “rescued” by someone else.
You struggle to maintain sobriety from drugs or alcohol, and it feels out of your control (Substance abuse IOP is recommended).
You are invested in defending the idea that you don’t have trauma.
You don’t want to talk about the past.
You are looking for a “step-by-step” guide to getting better. This type of work is dynamic, creative, and deeper than that.
You are looking for a type of therapy with “homework,” (that is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy).
Ready to Start Your Healing Journey?
The process of facing anxiety and trauma can be daunting, but the rewards—peace, strength, and freedom—make the effort worthwhile. Life is too short to live in the shadow of old wounds and old circumstances.
Break Free from the Past
Trauma acts like an invisible chain, anchoring us to the past. When we confront it, we begin to release ourselves from its grip. This freedom allows us to live in the present instead of being held back by the past.
Build Healthier Relationships
Unprocessed trauma often creates emotional walls or toxic patterns in relationships. By addressing it, you can heal wounds that might otherwise harm your ability to connect with others. You’ll learn to build trust and intimacy and live authentically.
Improve Mental and Physical Health
Trauma can manifest as anxiety, depression, or physical issues like chronic pain. Studies show that processing trauma reduces stress, improves sleep, and enhances overall well-being. Your mind and body deserve the care that healing offers.
Take Back Control
Ignoring trauma gives it power over your life—your decisions, behaviors, and reactions. Confronting it helps you reclaim control and develop resilience, turning pain into strength.
Discover Your True Potential
Trauma often distorts how we see ourselves, and creates feelings of shame or inadequacy. Healing helps you discover your self-worth, gives you confidence to pursue goals and dreams that once felt out of reach.
Create a Ripple Effect
Healing isn’t just for you—it benefits everyone around you. When you address your trauma, you set an example for loved ones and create a healthier environment for your family, friends, and community.