I specialize in EMDR therapy, helping people find relief from trauma, anxiety, and performance-based stress. My passion is working with professionals, athletes, and high achievers who feel stuck due to mental blocks. Whether you’re dealing with past trauma, anxiety, or challenges like Loss of Movement Syndrome (the yips), I offer a supportive space where you can heal and thrive. I believe in creating a non-judgmental, compassionate environment where you feel empowered to explore your emotions and experiences. My approach blends EMDR with techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Person-Centered Therapy. This combination helps us tackle both the immediate challenges you’re facing and the deeper patterns that may be holding you back. Clients often appreciate how I balance evidence-based practices with a personal, empathetic touch. Our sessions aren’t just about resolving symptoms—they’re about helping you tap into your inner strength and move toward a more fulfilling life. Whether you’re looking to overcome trauma, manage anxiety, or improve your performance under pressure, I tailor my approach to meet your unique needs and goals. I’m committed to walking alongside you on your journey, supporting you as you create meaningful change and reach new personal and professional heights.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
When we have our first virtual session, my priority is to help you feel at ease, even though we’re meeting online. I know starting therapy, especially virtually, can feel uncertain, but my goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable to be yourself without pressure. From the moment we begin, the focus is entirely on your well-being. Getting to Know You In our first conversation, I’m here to listen. We’ll talk about what’s been on your mind and what brought you to therapy. You’re welcome to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with—there’s no rush. I’ll ask a few questions to understand your background and current challenges, but you set the pace. My goal is to ensure you feel truly heard and understood, even in this virtual setting. We’ll take the time to explore what’s holding you back and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy. Clarifying Your Goals One of the key focuses of our first session will be understanding your goals. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, stress, or feeling stuck, we’ll explore what you’d like to change. If you’re not sure yet, that’s perfectly fine—part of the journey is figuring that out together, and I’m here to guide you through the process. How Virtual Therapy Works I’ll also explain how virtual therapy works, making sure you’re comfortable with the process. We’ll go over the different methods I use, like EMDR, CBT, ACT, and Person-Centered Therapy, and discuss which might best fit your situation. Whether we’re processing trauma with EMDR or working through negative thought patterns with CBT, my focus is on ensuring you feel comfortable with how we’re moving forward. Even though we’re meeting virtually, therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions. You’ll have the chance to ask questions, share concerns, and feel fully informed and comfortable as we continue.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
One of my biggest strengths is creating a space where you feel safe, heard, and accepted. From our very first session, I work hard to make sure you feel comfortable being vulnerable, without fear of judgment. Whether we’re working through trauma, anxiety, or performance challenges, my goal is to help you feel understood and supported. Another strength is my flexible, integrative approach to therapy. I know that one size doesn’t fit all, so I pull from a variety of evidence-based therapies—like EMDR, CBT, ACT, Jungian Psychoanalysis, and Person-Centered Therapy—to tailor our sessions to your unique needs. This adaptability ensures we’re always moving toward meaningful change, no matter the situation or challenge. I also specialize in helping high achievers, athletes, and professionals who face performance anxiety or mental blocks that hold them back from reaching their full potential. Whether it’s on the field, in the boardroom, or in everyday life, I use EMDR and other tools to break through those barriers and help you succeed both emotionally and professionally. Finally, I’m always committed to ongoing growth as a therapist. I continually expand my knowledge and skills to make sure I’m offering the most effective and up-to-date care, bringing fresh perspectives and approaches to your healing journey.
About Robert Engle
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts cash
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
EMDR
I have extensive experience working with clients using EMDR therapy, and over time, I’ve integrated Transformational EMDR into my practice. This advanced approach goes beyond resolving trauma by fostering deep, personal growth and change. It’s not just about processing what’s happened to you but also about unlocking your full potential, whether you’re dealing with stress, trauma, or simply wanting to improve performance in specific areas of your life. Transformational EMDR is incredibly powerful for people looking to make meaningful shifts, especially high-achieving individuals like athletes and professionals. It helps you move from simply surviving your challenges to truly thriving in every aspect of life. Using EMDR for Athletes and Performance Enhancement A large part of my practice focuses on helping athletes and high performers overcome mental blocks that limit their ability to excel. One key area I’ve worked in is with individuals experiencing Loss of Movement Syndrome (LMS)—commonly referred to as “the yips.” If you’re not familiar with the term, the yips occur when an athlete suddenly and inexplicably loses the ability to perform basic movements or actions that were once second nature. This can happen to golfers, baseball players, or any athlete who relies on precision movements. The experience can be incredibly frustrating and emotionally overwhelming, and it’s not just about the physical movement. The yips are often tied to anxiety, fear of failure, or perfectionism, which can create a loop of negative emotions and performance issues. That’s where EMDR, particularly Transformational EMDR, comes into play. How EMDR Can Help with the Yips and LMS When working with athletes experiencing the yips, I use EMDR to help rewire the brain’s response to the stress or anxiety that might be triggering the issue. Often, the brain has developed a kind of “block” or negative association with the movement, and EMDR helps to break that loop. Using bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or other techniques), we can help your brain process the fear, doubt, or stress connected to the movement. The goal is to get your mind out of the way so your body can perform at its best again. EMDR allows the brain to heal those emotional and mental blocks, making it easier for you to regain your confidence and trust in your body’s ability to move freely. Transformational EMDR for High Performance Transformational EMDR doesn’t just stop at healing past traumas—it can also be used proactively to enhance performance. For athletes, professionals, or anyone under high pressure, this method helps to: • Reduce performance anxiety by helping you stay in the present moment • Increase focus and mental clarity, allowing you to perform at your highest level • Break through mental barriers that are holding you back from achieving your goals • Foster resilience and self-belief, which are crucial for high performers What You Can Expect in Our Work Together In our sessions, we’ll work at a pace that feels right for you. EMDR is a structured process, but it’s also flexible enough to meet your individual needs. Whether you’re coming in to resolve past traumas, to break through a performance block like the yips, or to optimize your mental game, we’ll create a plan tailored to your goals. Clients who have used Transformational EMDR for performance often describe it as a game-changer—helping them move from a place of stress and self-doubt to one of confidence and ease. The effects of this therapy extend beyond your immediate issue, allowing you to take those lessons into all areas of your life, creating lasting change and growth.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have a strong background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is one of the most widely used and effective approaches for addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, and many other issues. Over the years, I’ve found that combining CBT with EMDR provides a powerful, well-rounded treatment that not only helps clients manage present-day challenges but also heals the deeper emotional wounds that fuel those challenges. How CBT and EMDR Work Together: Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Approaches CBT is considered a top-down approach, meaning it works with your conscious thoughts to change your emotions and behaviors. Through CBT, we focus on recognizing negative or distorted thoughts and beliefs that are causing distress and work on reframing them into healthier, more constructive thoughts. This method helps you to actively manage and shift your thinking patterns, which can lead to quick changes in how you feel and act in your daily life. However, while CBT is highly effective for managing day-to-day thoughts and behaviors, it doesn’t always address the emotional roots that may be driving those thoughts. That’s where EMDR comes in. Unlike CBT, EMDR is a bottom-up approach, meaning it targets the emotional and somatic (body) memories stored from past experiences. This method helps your brain reprocess these past events so they no longer trigger distressing thoughts or emotional reactions. By integrating both approaches, we’re able to tackle your issues from two angles: • CBT (Top-Down): We address the thoughts and beliefs that are contributing to your current distress. For example, if you’re dealing with anxiety, CBT helps you challenge the negative or catastrophic thinking that makes you feel anxious. • EMDR (Bottom-Up): At the same time, we use EMDR to go deeper and heal the unresolved emotional pain tied to past experiences. EMDR helps you process those memories so that they no longer fuel your negative thinking patterns or emotional responses. Why This Combination Works So Well Using CBT and EMDR together allows for both quick relief and lasting change. CBT helps you gain immediate control over your thoughts and behaviors, empowering you to make conscious, positive changes in your life. Meanwhile, EMDR works on healing the underlying emotional roots of those thoughts, helping to create long-term transformation. For example, a client with performance anxiety might learn through CBT how to challenge their fear of failure and adopt more realistic thoughts. But by integrating EMDR, we can also address past experiences—like a significant moment of rejection or embarrassment—that have been fueling that fear on a deeper level. This combined approach is especially effective for: • Anxiety and panic attacks • Trauma and PTSD • Phobias and specific fears • Self-esteem issues A Holistic Approach to Healing In my practice, I tailor the therapy process to meet your unique needs. Whether we’re starting with CBT to help you manage current thoughts and behaviors, or diving into EMDR to heal the past, my goal is to guide you through a process that feels empowering and supportive. By addressing both the mind and the emotional body, we can work together to create both immediate relief and lasting change.
Jungian
My therapeutic approach often draws on the deep insights of Jungian Psychoanalysis, which focuses on exploring the unconscious mind, archetypes, and personal transformation. Jungian therapy is all about understanding the deeper layers of the self—our shadow, our dreams, and the archetypal patterns that influence our lives. It helps individuals connect with the core of who they are, beyond surface-level thoughts and behaviors. When combined with EMDR, this approach becomes incredibly powerful, facilitating not only the healing of trauma but also profound personal transformation. This integration forms the core of what I call Transformational EMDR, where we work to not just resolve trauma but also foster deep inner growth and self-actualization. How Jungian Psychoanalysis and EMDR Work Together At the heart of Jungian Psychoanalysis is the belief that much of our suffering stems from unresolved issues in the unconscious mind. These can take the form of repressed emotions, unintegrated aspects of the self (what Jung called the “shadow”), or archetypal patterns that shape our behavior. While traditional talk therapy may help to bring some of these issues to the surface, Jungian analysis delves deeper into understanding how these unconscious elements influence our thoughts, behaviors, and overall sense of self. EMDR, on the other hand, works with the brain’s natural ability to process and heal emotional wounds. By engaging the body’s nervous system and brain through bilateral stimulation, EMDR helps to clear away the emotional charge from painful memories, freeing the mind from the grip of the past. When we combine the two approaches, we engage both the conscious and unconscious mind, providing a more holistic path to healing and growth: • Jungian Psychoanalysis (Unconscious Exploration): In sessions, we explore the symbolic meanings of your experiences, dreams, and emotions. Through the lens of Jungian analysis, we work to uncover the hidden layers of your psyche—your personal and collective unconscious, archetypes, and shadow aspects. This can help you gain deeper insight into your behavior, motivations, and struggles. • EMDR (Processing and Healing Trauma): While we work on uncovering these unconscious elements, EMDR helps to reprocess the emotional wounds tied to past experiences. By clearing the emotional charge connected to these traumas, your mind and body can heal, allowing for greater clarity and personal transformation. Why This Combination Is Transformational The integration of EMDR and Jungian Psychoanalysis allows us to address not just the surface-level symptoms of trauma but also the deeper, unconscious forces that shape who you are. While EMDR works to process and resolve past traumas and emotional pain, Jungian therapy helps you connect with the deeper meaning and symbolism behind those experiences. This combination can lead to: • Deep personal insight and understanding of the unconscious patterns that drive your behavior • Integration of the shadow, helping you to confront and embrace aspects of yourself that have been repressed or denied • Healing of core emotional wounds, freeing you from past traumas that limit your growth • Greater connection to your true self, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling life In essence, Transformational EMDR is about more than just healing trauma—it’s about helping you unlock your full potential. By exploring the deeper layers of your unconscious mind and processing your emotional pain, you can experience a profound shift in how you understand yourself and your place in the world. A Path to Wholeness In our work together, we’ll take a holistic approach, combining the insight-driven exploration of Jungian Psychoanalysis with the powerful healing of EMDR. This process allows you to move from a place of survival to one of true transformation. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of yourself, this approach can lead to lasting, meaningful change.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
At the heart of my therapeutic approach is Person-Centered Therapy, a method that emphasizes the belief that every individual has the capacity for self-growth and healing. Developed by Carl Rogers, this approach focuses on creating a therapeutic environment where clients feel truly understood, accepted, and empowered to explore their feelings without fear of judgment. Person-Centered Therapy is based on the idea that people are their own best experts, and that, with the right kind of support, they can find the answers and solutions they need within themselves. In Person-Centered Therapy, the relationship between therapist and client is central. As a therapist, my role is not to “fix” or “direct” but to create a space where you feel safe and accepted as you are. By offering empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness, I help to create an environment where you can explore your feelings, thoughts, and experiences openly. Here are the core principles that guide this approach: • Unconditional Positive Regard: This means accepting you without judgment or conditions. No matter what you’re going through, I believe in your worth and potential. This acceptance helps create a safe space where you can fully express yourself. • Empathy: I strive to deeply understand your feelings and experiences from your perspective, walking in your shoes and reflecting back the emotions and thoughts you share. Empathy allows me to connect with you on a human level, not just as a therapist but as someone who truly “gets” you. • Genuineness (Congruence): In Person-Centered Therapy, I show up as my authentic self, without a façade. This means being open, real, and transparent in our work together. It also encourages you to be genuine with yourself, fostering an environment of trust and mutual respect. How Person-Centered Therapy Supports You This non-directive and non-judgmental approach puts you in the driver’s seat. In Person-Centered Therapy, you are the expert on your own life. My role is to guide and support, not to impose solutions or steer the conversation in any particular direction. You are free to express yourself openly, to explore difficult emotions, and to move at your own pace. This process helps you to tap into your own inner resources and wisdom, promoting personal growth and emotional healing. Person-Centered Therapy is incredibly empowering because it helps clients develop a stronger sense of self-worth and autonomy. By working through your issues in a non-judgmental space, you’ll begin to trust your own instincts and become more confident in making decisions that are right for you. How I Integrate Person-Centered Therapy with Other Methods Although Person-Centered Therapy forms the foundation of how I connect with clients, I often integrate it with other approaches like EMDR to provide a well-rounded and comprehensive healing process. • Person-Centered and EMDR: While EMDR works to process and resolve past traumas, the non-judgmental and empathetic environment of Person-Centered Therapy ensures that you feel safe and supported throughout that journey. The emphasis on unconditional positive regard and empathy helps to reduce feelings of shame or fear that may arise during EMDR sessions, allowing for deeper healing and personal insight. By combining Person-Centered Therapy with other techniques, I make sure that every step of your therapeutic journey honors your individual needs, empowers you to grow, and helps you feel in control of your healing process. Creating a Space for Transformation One of the most powerful aspects of Person-Centered Therapy is that it allows for true transformation by creating an environment free from judgment. Whether you are working through trauma, anxiety, stress, or simply seeking to understand yourself more deeply, my goal is to provide a space where you feel valued, heard, and understood. You are at the center of the process, and together, we’ll work to help you unlock the growth and healing that already exist within you.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
In my practice, I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients navigate difficult thoughts and emotions in a way that promotes psychological flexibility. Rather than trying to eliminate uncomfortable feelings or thoughts, ACT encourages you to accept them and commit to actions that align with your values and goals. This approach fits perfectly with other therapeutic methods, such as EMDR, CBT, Jungian Psychoanalysis, and Person-Centered Therapy, creating a well-rounded framework for healing and personal growth. How ACT Works ACT is rooted in the idea that avoiding or fighting painful emotions and thoughts often makes them stronger. Instead of trying to control or suppress these internal experiences, ACT teaches you to accept them as part of life and to focus on committing to actions that move you toward your values and desired life outcomes. The goal is to build psychological flexibility, which means learning how to respond more effectively to whatever thoughts or feelings come your way. The core processes of ACT include: • Acceptance: Embracing difficult emotions, thoughts, or experiences without judgment or avoidance. This doesn’t mean you approve of or want these feelings, but rather that you acknowledge their presence and allow them to come and go naturally. • Cognitive Defusion: Learning to separate yourself from your thoughts. By creating distance between yourself and your thoughts, you can stop identifying with them so strongly and recognize them as just words or mental events rather than truths about who you are. • Present-Moment Awareness: Being grounded in the present moment, rather than getting lost in thoughts about the past or future. ACT encourages mindfulness practices that help you stay connected to the here and now. • Self-as-Context: Understanding that you are not your thoughts or feelings, but rather the observer of them. This allows for a more flexible sense of self that is not rigidly defined by internal experiences. • Values-Based Action: Identifying your core values and using them as a guide for making meaningful life choices, regardless of the difficult thoughts or emotions that may arise. • Committed Action: Taking steps, no matter how small, toward the life you want to live, in alignment with your values, even when discomfort or difficult emotions are present. How ACT Complements EMDR, CBT, and Other Approaches While ACT is a powerful standalone therapy, it integrates seamlessly with other methods, enhancing the effectiveness of treatments like EMDR, CBT, Jungian Psychoanalysis, and Person-Centered Therapy. ACT and EMDR EMDR is highly effective at reprocessing past trauma, but the emotional or mental discomfort from those memories doesn’t always disappear instantly. ACT works alongside EMDR by helping clients accept and sit with any lingering discomfort rather than avoiding or fighting it. While EMDR helps you process the trauma, ACT teaches you how to mindfully engage with any residual thoughts or emotions, reducing their impact on your life as you move forward. ACT and CBT CBT aims to change negative thought patterns by directly challenging them, while ACT focuses on accepting those thoughts without necessarily trying to change them. The two work together well because CBT provides tools for cognitive restructuring (a top-down approach), and ACT offers strategies for accepting thoughts that can’t be changed immediately. Together, they help clients manage and reduce the impact of negative thinking while still allowing space for difficult thoughts to exist without controlling behavior. ACT and Jungian Psychoanalysis In Jungian Psychoanalysis, much of the work focuses on integrating unconscious aspects of the self, including repressed emotions and shadow elements. ACT enhances this by providing a non-judgmental framework for accepting those parts of the self, even when they feel uncomfortable. While Jungian therapy helps you explore and understand your unconscious motivations, ACT helps you learn to accept those discoveries without self-criticism, which leads to deeper integration and personal transformation. ACT and Person-Centered Therapy The principles of unconditional positive regard, empathy, and non-judgment in Person-Centered Therapy align perfectly with ACT’s emphasis on acceptance. In both approaches, the focus is on creating a safe space where you feel supported and accepted as you are, which fosters the courage to face difficult emotions and move toward personal growth. Both methods empower you to embrace your authentic self and take meaningful steps toward living in alignment with your values. Creating Lasting Change with ACT The beauty of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy lies in its focus on values-based living. Rather than getting stuck in cycles of avoidance or control, ACT helps you move forward in life, even when things are hard. It allows you to build resilience in the face of difficulty and equips you with the tools to navigate life’s inevitable challenges without losing sight of what truly matters to you. By combining ACT with other therapies like EMDR, CBT, Jungian Psychoanalysis, and Person-Centered Therapy, we can create a comprehensive, integrative approach that addresses both the emotional and cognitive aspects of healing. Together, these approaches offer a path to not just surviving life’s challenges but thriving and living fully, in line with your deepest values.