Mondie Gonzales
LISW-S | EMDR Certified (EMDRIA)Owner/Founder. 30+ years. EMDRIA-certified EMDR. Trauma, PTSD, first responders, adverse childhood experiences, anxiety. Strongsville in-person + telehealth statewide.
Trauma Therapy & EMDR
EMDR Therapy for Trauma & PTSD in Strongsville, OH
EMDRIA Certified Therapist on Staff
WHO Recognized
APA Recognized
EMDR therapy at Oasis Counseling Solutions is delivered by Mondie Gonzales, LISW-S, a certified EMDR therapist through EMDRIA, and Emily Davis, LISW, who is completing EMDR training through the Institute of Creative Mindfulness. EMDR is recognized by both the World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association as an effective treatment for PTSD. No formal diagnosis is required to begin. In-person in Strongsville, Lakewood, and Chagrin Falls; telehealth available across Ohio. Free consultation.
What It Is
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It uses bilateral stimulation — typically the therapist's moving hand, which the client follows with their eyes — to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories that have become "stuck" and continue to generate distress. Rather than requiring clients to discuss their trauma in extended detail, EMDR works at the level of memory consolidation, changing how the brain stores and responds to the memory itself.
EMDR follows an eight-phase protocol. The phases are: history-taking and treatment planning, preparation, assessment of the target memory, desensitization using bilateral stimulation, installation of an adaptive belief, body scan, closure, and reevaluation at the start of subsequent sessions. This structure ensures that sessions are contained, that the client is adequately prepared before any reprocessing begins, and that every session ends with the client in a stable, grounded state.
Both the World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association recognize EMDR as an effective treatment for PTSD. The body of research supporting EMDR now encompasses hundreds of controlled trials and spans more than three decades of clinical practice. EMDR can be delivered in person and via telehealth. Bilateral stimulation is adapted for telehealth using tapping or auditory cues, and research supports the effectiveness of remote EMDR. Learn more about EMDR research and standards at EMDRIA.org, the EMDR International Association.
Who It Helps
Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is appropriate for a wide range of presentations, not only classic PTSD. You do not need a formal diagnosis to benefit from EMDR therapy. If past experiences continue to affect how you feel or function today, EMDR may be worth exploring.
- PTSD and post-traumatic stress from any cause
- Childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
- Single-incident trauma — accidents, medical events, witnessing violence
- Anxiety with identifiable trauma roots — panic, phobias, avoidance
- Grief, particularly when the loss was sudden or traumatic
- First responder trauma — police, fire, EMS, military, emergency healthcare
- Domestic violence and intimate partner abuse
- Sexual abuse and assault — childhood or adult
- Negative core beliefs about self — "I am not safe," "I am not enough," "It was my fault"
- Performance anxiety and blocks rooted in past critical experiences
Our Approach
How We Approach EMDR and Trauma Therapy
Trauma treatment at Oasis Counseling Solutions is relationship-first. No reprocessing begins until the therapist and client have developed a working relationship and the client has the stabilization tools to engage with reprocessing safely. At Oasis, the preparation phase is taken seriously — not rushed through to get to the "real" work. Adequate preparation is what makes reprocessing effective and what ensures clients leave each session feeling regulated, not destabilized.
Mondie Gonzales is a certified EMDR therapist through EMDRIA (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association). EMDRIA certification requires completion of an approved training program, supervised EMDR consultation hours, and demonstrated clinical competency — it is a higher standard than basic EMDR training. Mondie sees clients for EMDR in person at the Strongsville office and via telehealth for clients anywhere in Ohio.
Emily Davis is currently completing EMDR certification through the Institute of Creative Mindfulness, an EMDRIA-approved training program. Emily practices exclusively via telehealth. Her trauma-informed, strengths-based approach integrates EMDR with CBT and mindfulness-based techniques for clients navigating anxiety, PTSD, and trauma across Ohio. Learn more about telehealth at Oasis.
What to Expect
What Happens in EMDR Therapy at Oasis
EMDR therapy follows a predictable structure designed to keep you in control at every stage. Here is what the process looks like at Oasis Counseling Solutions.
Your First Session Is a Conversation
The first EMDR session is never reprocessing. Your therapist gathers your history, explains how EMDR works, answers your questions, and begins to build the working relationship that makes reprocessing effective. You share what you are comfortable sharing. There is no pressure to disclose in detail before you are ready.
Preparation Before Any Reprocessing
Before any EMDR reprocessing begins, your therapist teaches you stabilization and resourcing techniques — tools for managing distress that you can use between sessions and during reprocessing if needed. The preparation phase may last one session or several, depending on your history and your therapist's clinical judgment. Adequate preparation is not optional — it is what makes reprocessing safe and effective.
Reprocessing Sessions
During reprocessing sessions, you briefly focus on a specific target memory while following your therapist's hand movements with your eyes. Sets of bilateral stimulation last approximately 30 to 60 seconds, followed by a brief check-in. The therapist guides the process through the assessment, desensitization, installation, and body scan phases of the EMDR protocol. Most clients report that the memory becomes less vivid and less emotionally activating over the course of treatment.
Closure at the End of Every Session
Every EMDR session — regardless of how deep the reprocessing went — ends with a structured closure exercise to help you return to a regulated, grounded state before leaving. Your therapist does not end a session in the middle of active reprocessing. The closure phase ensures you leave feeling stable. Between sessions, your therapist may check in on how you are processing and whether any additional support is needed.
EMDR therapy is governed by standards set by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), the leading professional organization for EMDR clinicians. Mondie Gonzales holds EMDRIA certification. Learn more about EMDR research, practitioner standards, and how to find a certified therapist at emdria.org.
Your EMDR Therapists
EMDR Therapists at Oasis Counseling Solutions
Two therapists at Oasis offer EMDR. Meet all six therapists.
Emily Davis
LISW | EMDR in Training | Telehealth OnlyCompleting EMDR certification through the Institute of Creative Mindfulness (EMDRIA-approved). Trauma-informed, CBT, mindfulness. Telehealth across all of Ohio.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro that uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories. During a session, the client briefly focuses on a distressing memory while following the therapist's hand movements. Over time, the memory becomes less vivid and the emotional reaction diminishes significantly. EMDR follows an eight-phase protocol and is recognized by both the World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association as an effective treatment for PTSD.
Is EMDR therapy right for me?
EMDR may be a good fit if past experiences continue to affect how you feel or function today — through anxiety, avoidance, intrusive memories, emotional reactivity, or negative core beliefs about yourself. You do not need a formal PTSD diagnosis. EMDR has been shown effective for trauma, anxiety, phobias, grief, and adverse childhood experiences. A free 15-minute consultation with Mondie or Emily can help clarify whether EMDR is the most appropriate approach for your specific situation.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
The number of sessions depends on the complexity of your trauma history and how your brain responds to reprocessing. For a single clearly defined traumatic event, many clients see significant improvement in six to twelve sessions. Complex trauma, ACEs, or a history of multiple adverse experiences typically requires a longer course of treatment. Your therapist will develop a personalized plan with you and review progress at regular intervals throughout treatment.
Is EMDR covered by insurance at Oasis Counseling Solutions?
Yes. EMDR is an evidence-based, widely recognized therapy covered by most major insurance plans. Oasis Counseling Solutions accepts Medicaid, Medicare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna / Evernorth, UnitedHealthcare, and over 20 additional plans. The self-pay rate is $145 per session. Visit our insurance and fees page or contact us directly to verify your specific coverage before your first appointment.
What does an EMDR session feel like?
Your first EMDR session is always a conversation, never reprocessing. When you do begin reprocessing, you briefly focus on a target memory while following your therapist's hand movements. Sets of bilateral stimulation last 30 to 60 seconds, followed by a short check-in from the therapist. Many clients report that the targeted memory feels less vivid and less emotionally activating within a single session. Every EMDR session ends with a structured closure exercise so you leave feeling stable and grounded, regardless of how deep the work was that day.
Fees & Insurance
EMDR Therapy Rates
$145
Per session — EMDR and trauma therapy, in-person and telehealth
Sliding scale available for eligible clients. Oasis Counseling Solutions accepts Medicaid, Medicare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna / Evernorth, UnitedHealthcare, CareSource, Buckeye, Medical Mutual, Humana, and 20+ plans total. Most clients pay significantly less with insurance.