Healing for Kids in Dallas: When Bad Memories Won't Fade
Using EMDR, a safe and highly effective therapy, we help children in Dallas process difficult memories so they can feel confident, calm, and happy again.
Your journey to a more peaceful, fulfilling life is just a step away. Book Free Consultation today.
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- EMDR Trained Therapist
- Culturally Responsive
- 10+ Years Experience
Does This Sound Familiar?
Your child has sudden, big emotional reactions that seem to come out of nowhere.
They struggle with nightmares or new, unexplainable fears.
You feel like you've tried everything to help them, but the anxiety and distress just won't go away.
Your child has sudden, big emotional reactions that seem to come out of nowhere.
As a parent, watching your child struggle with the weight of a painful memory is heartbreaking. You want to take their pain away, but you don’t know how. You’re not alone, and you’ve found a place of understanding and hope.
What is EMDR? A Path to "Un-Sticking" Painful Memories
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps the brain’s natural healing system properly process and file away these stuck memories.
The Brain's Filing System
Think of a traumatic memory like a messy, disorganized file that got shoved into your brain's filing cabinet. EMDR helps the brain neatly organize that file and place it in the "Past Events" cabinet, where it belongs.
The Emotional Splinter
A traumatic memory is like an "emotional splinter." Even a tiny splinter can cause sharp pain whenever it's touched. EMDR is the process of gently and carefully removing that splinter so the mind and body can finally heal.
The Safe Train Journey
Your child will not be asked to relive their trauma. The process is more like being on a safe train journey. The memory is like the scenery passing by the window. They are safe inside the train, with the therapist as their guide.
Is EMDR Safe and Effective for Children? Yes.
The safety and effectiveness of EMDR for children are well-established. This is not an experimental therapy; it is a globally recognized treatment.
Globally Recognized
EMDR is recognized as an effective treatment for children by the World Health Organization (WHO) and holds the highest recommendation for treating children and adolescents with PTSD.
Proven Effective
Research shows EMDR is highly effective. In one landmark study, nearly 92% of children with PTSD from a single-event trauma no longer met the criteria for PTSD after about four sessions.
Designed for Safety
Safety is the foundation of every EMDR session. We always begin by building your child's positive resources, like creating an imaginary "Safe Place" they can go to at any time.
The Benefits of EMDR for Your Child
The goal of EMDR is to free your child from the weight of their past. Parents often report seeing:
Emotional Relief
A significant reduction in anxiety, fear, and nightmares.
Better Sleep & Focus
Improved sleep and concentration.
Increased Confidence
Enhanced self-esteem and a more positive view of themselves.
Emotional Stability
Fewer emotional outbursts and better mood regulation.
Meet Asma Sheikh: Your Guide and Advocate
Asma Sheikh, MA, LPC, is the founder of Alif Counseling Services. She is a dedicated Licensed Professional Counselor with over eight years of experience helping adults, adolescents, and families navigate crisis and find healing. Asma is an EMDR-trained professional who specializes in anxiety, trauma, and mood disorders.
Her passion lies in empowering women, adolescents, ethnic minorities, and immigrant communities. Having worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings, she brings a wealth of clinical expertise to her practice. Asma is proficient in English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, and Siraiki, allowing her to provide therapy in the language that feels most comfortable to you. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and deeply rooted in cultural humility and clinical integrity.
Our Approach to Helping You Find Balance
We know that starting therapy can feel intimidating. We’ve made the process clear and supportive every step of the way.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Book a complimentary, 15-minute confidential phone or video call. This is a chance for you to ask questions and see if our approach is the right fit for you.
Your First Session
In our first meeting, we'll listen deeply to your story, understand your challenges, and collaboratively set meaningful goals for our work together.
Begin Your Path to Wellness
Through ongoing, supportive sessions, you'll gain insight, learn practical skills, and build the confidence to create lasting, positive change in your life.
Take the First Step Towards Well-being in Dallas, TX
You have carried the weight of the past for long enough. A life where you feel safe, calm, and joyful is possible. Taking the first step is an act of immense strength.
- Phone: (972) 645-6553
- Email: Admin@alifcounseling.com
- Locations: Allen, TX & McKinney, TX – Proudly serving the greater Dallas-Fort Worth community
- Sessions: Available both in-person and online via secure, confidential video
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is recognized as a safe and effective therapy for children by major global health organizations. The process includes many built-in safety protocols, and the therapist is specially trained to work with children.
No. This is one of the key benefits of EMDR. The child does not have to describe the traumatic event in detail. The therapy works on a deeper level by focusing on the memory while using bilateral stimulation to help the brain process it.
Parents often notice changes first at home—fewer nightmares, less anxiety, and a generally lighter mood. In sessions, we will track progress by noticing the reduction in distress around the targeted memory.
The number of sessions depends on the child and the complexity of the trauma. For a single-event trauma, significant progress can often be made in a relatively small number of sessions. More complex situations may require longer-term therapy.
Yes. In fact, parental presence is often encouraged. Your supportive presence can be a powerful source of comfort and safety for your child during the process, enhancing the therapy's effectiveness.
Ready to Explore a New Path for Your Child?
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Taking the first step is a sign of strength and love. Let’s talk about how we can help your child heal and move forward with resilience and joy.
- Completely confidential
- No pressure
- Available in multiple languages