EMDR Therapists in Florida

EMDR is the closest thing to real *MAGIC* that I’ve ever had the privilege of  helping people with! It still amazes me sometimes! 

Brianna “Bri” Jaworski, MA, LMHC- QS is a licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida. Bri graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelors degree in Business and Health with a minor in Psychology. After starting her own business at age 25, she pursued a new career in counseling in 2010. Bri received her Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University in 2015. Bri is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), as well as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and has spent a large portion of her career working with child victim’s of sexual abuse. Bri also worked for many years with victims of domestic violence, and their children. Bri is a certified Domestic Violence Core Competency Trainer in the state of Florida and trained all new employees and volunteers at her agency. Bri served as the Primary Prevention Advocate while teaching 7th-12th graders about healthy dating relationships and warning signs of abuse. Additionally, Bri provided group services to teens in the local shelter, taught Drug Court and Teen Court classes at the Manatee County Courthouse, Life Skills Training classes for survivors as well as parenting classes. During her clinical Internship, Bri worked for a child protection center in Sarasota, Florida which specialized in providing TF-CBT to child victims of sexual and physical abuse, neglect, and child welfare; as well as their non-offending caregivers and family members. Bri provided Individual, family and group counseling. Bri also worked with at-risk youth and adults in-home and in schools and also with sexually reactive children in the “Kid Kindness” Program. Bri continued on, working with trauma victims including: adult victims of childhood sexual abuse, depression, PTSD, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, Bi-polar disorders, trauma, grief, and ADHD amongst many others. Bri also facilitated both teen and adult support groups as well as animal supported counseling. Bri has also worked extensively with the child welfare system including DCF contracting, and intensive in-home substance abuse counseling. Bri is an EMDRIA approved EMDR therapist. EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is an empirically evidenced technique that has been shown to significantly help clients of trauma, grief, PTSD, addiction, phobias and many other issues by utilizing bi-lateral stimulation that mimics a REM sleep cycle. Disturbing events are able to be “reprocessed” thus lessening and many times diminishing negative cognitions and feelings. Bri has also worked as a Psychology professor, at a local polygraph credentialing and assessment center teaching Psychology classes as well as classes on administering polygraph assessments to convicted sex offenders. Bri has taught students from all over the globe! Opening a practice that is warm, open, comfortable and non-judgmental was imperative in the formation of Mandala Counseling Services. Bri prides herself in being able to build rapport and establish long lasting therapeutic relationships with her clients. She strives for the perfect balance of professionalism and genuine care and compassion for her clients. She loves animals, is a Reiki Master, enjoys Transcendental Meditation, traveling and of course... Batman. She cares deeply for her clients and has devoted most of her adult life to non-profit centers and helping victims of trauma.  

How EMDR Works and How It Can Help EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy designed to help people process and heal from trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and distressing life experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR helps rewire how traumatic memories are stored in the brain, reducing their emotional intensity and allowing you to move forward without feeling stuck in the past.  How EMDR Works When a person experiences trauma, the brain may not fully process the memory, leaving it “frozen” in an unhealed state. This can lead to distressing symptoms like flashbacks, anxiety, or emotional triggers. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues) to help the brain reprocess these memories, making them feel less overwhelming and reducing their impact on daily life.  How EMDR Can Help • Reduces Emotional Distress: Traumatic memories lose their intensity, helping you feel more in control. • Breaks Negative Thought Patterns: EMDR replaces harmful beliefs (“I am not safe,” “I am powerless”) with healthier, more empowering perspectives. • Helps Manage Anxiety & PTSD Symptoms: Reduces triggers, flashbacks, and emotional reactivity. • Restores a Sense of Safety & Calm: Allows you to engage in life without trauma controlling your thoughts and emotions.  What an EMDR Session Looks Like 1. Preparation & Assessment: We discuss your history, symptoms, and goals to ensure EMDR is a good fit. 2. Identifying Target Memories: We focus on specific distressing memories that are impacting you.  3. Bilateral Stimulation (BLS): I guide you through eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues while you briefly recall the memory, allowing your brain to reprocess it in a more adaptive way. 4. Processing & Shifting Perspectives: As the memory is reprocessed, distressing emotions decrease, and healthier thoughts emerge. 5. Closure & Grounding: We use relaxation techniques to ensure you feel calm and stable before ending the session.  What Clients Should Know • You Stay in Control: EMDR is not hypnosis—you are fully aware and can pause at any time. • Processing Continues Between Sessions: It’s normal to have new insights or emotions arise, and I’ll provide coping tools to help. • Healing Is a Process: Some people feel relief quickly, while others need multiple sessions to fully reprocess complex trauma.  EMDR is a powerful tool for healing, allowing you to release the emotional weight of past experiences and move forward with greater confidence and peace.

As a licensed trauma therapist, I am dedicated to helping you navigate the challenges of trauma, anxiety, and emotional distress. My goal is to create a safe and supportive space where we can work together to understand and rewire trauma responses that may be holding you back. By integrating evidence-based techniques, I help clients build resilience, improve emotional regulation, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Through our work, you can expect to gain deeper self-awareness, enhance your ability to manage stress, and improve your relationships and overall well-being. I am committed to supporting your journey toward healing, empowering you to shift unhelpful thought patterns, and maximizing your personal and professional growth. You don’t have to navigate this alone—together, we can create meaningful and lasting change in your life.