"Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways, it can change someone else's life forever."

-Margaret Cho

Photograph of Anthony Johnston, an Ithaca, NY certified EMDR trauma therapist operating in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. He specializes in complex trauma, addictive behaviors, and LGBTQ+ affirming care.

Helping your brain to heal.

In the spirit of Francine Shaprio, the creator of EMDR-therapy, I wholeheartedly agree and believe that each human brain has a natural capacity to heal.

Unhealed memories can linger, impacting us in the present. Symptoms that lead us to seek out psychotherapy are often the result of being able to process the difficult material from our past. At least, not yet on our own. I have been trained to assist my clients in unjamming the mechanisms their brains need in order to facilitate mental health and healing.

Clients that I do some of my best work are humans with queer and other marginalized-lived experiences. These are people that persevere against all odds, fight hard for what they have, and are now craving a better sense of balance. Feelings of joy or accomplishment are fleeting, sometimes triggering a hint of dread, a quickening of the heart. Our inner voice tells us -

“Am I not enough?” “What’s wrong with me?” “I’m trapped.”

These negative beliefs that resulted from our wounds linger in our muscles, priming us to feel anxious or depressed. By expecting the worst, we can avoid those feelings of disappointment. Neglect. Or rejection. However, shutting down also prevents us from being able to fully embrace or participate in the best parts of their lives.

Clients that I work with have insight that they have moved forward in life, but keep finding that unhealed material haunts them in the present. Often times, they have tried figuring out how to heal on their own before making it into my office, but had difficulty sustaining long-lasting relief.

I work together with my clients collaboratively to identify their specific goals for psychotherapy. We work together to break old habits and replace them with strategies that are congruent with their more wise, and current sense of self.

It has been an honor to bear witness to the growth of the individuals I continue to do good work with.

If you suspect you may have some unhealed material you would like to heal, please head over to Schedule an Appointment. I offer sessions in-person in my practice location in Ithaca, NY as well as through telehealth online to residents of the states of New York and Florida.  

I am a trauma therapist and I am certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. This is a full psychotherapy that helps people to heal the past material that has been stuck so that people can get more enjoyment out of their lives. Information about EMDR therapy, useful trauma-therapy tools, and local Finger Lakes resources are listed on my resources page.

I also offer evidence-informed Training on navigating burnout, complex trauma as well as Consultation in EMDR therapy.

Available Services.

  • My full fee is $150 for the 55-minute hour. I am in network with Aetna, BCBS, and UnitedHealthcare/Optum.

    For more information, head over to Schedule an Appointment

  • I provide individual and group consultation in EMDR therapy as an EMDRIA Consultant-in-Training.

    To learn more or request a consultation, head over to my Consultation page.

  • I specialize in providing affirming care clients with queer-lived experiences, complex trauma, and treating dissociation.

    I offer evidence-informed training in doing good work with these populations.

Emdira Certified Therapist logo on a yellow circular background