Dr. Cynthia R. Crase-Hicks | Trauma-Informed Therapy, EFT & EMDR

Meet Dr. Cynthia R. Crase-Hicks: A Compassionate Partner in Healing

Dr. Cynthia R. Crase-Hicks, DSW, MSW, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker who provides psychotherapy with a strong emphasis on trauma-informed care, attachment-based healing, and emotion-focused work. Drawing on advanced clinical training and years of experience, she supports adults, couples, and families navigating the impact of trauma, anxiety, depression, and relational distress.

Her clinical practice is grounded in the belief that people do not heal in isolation; they heal in safe, supportive relationships where their stories are heard, honored, and understood. Research in psychotherapy consistently shows that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes in treatment.

Clinical Background and Areas of Expertise

As a doctoral-level social worker, Dr. Crase-Hicks brings both academic depth and practical skill to her work. She integrates evidence-based modalities while maintaining a warm, accessible style. Her practice focuses on helping people who:

• Have experienced single-incident or complex trauma, including childhood adversity and interpersonal violence
• Struggle with anxiety, panic, or chronic worry
• Live with depressive symptoms such as emptiness, guilt, or hopelessness
• Feel stuck in repeating relationship patterns that cause pain or disconnection
• Are coping with grief, life transitions, or identity changes
• Want to rebuild trust and intimacy in couple or family relationships

Her work is shaped by the core values of social work: dignity, worth of the person, social justice, and the importance of human relationships.

Therapeutic Approaches Used by Dr. Crase-Hicks

Dr. Crase-Hicks uses a blend of approaches tailored to each client’s needs. Three pillars of her practice are:

• Trauma-informed therapy
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples and relationships
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma processing

Trauma-Informed, Attachment-Aware Care

A trauma-informed approach recognizes how adverse experiences can shape the brain, body, and relationships. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines trauma-informed care as treatment that “realizes the widespread impact of trauma, recognizes the signs and symptoms, and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices.”

In practice, this means Dr. Crase-Hicks strives to:

• Provide emotional and physical safety in the therapeutic space
• Avoid re-traumatization by moving at the client’s pace
• Validate survival strategies rather than pathologizing them
• Help clients understand how their nervous system reacts to perceived threats
• Rebuild a sense of control, choice, and empowerment

Attachment science shows that early relationships shape our expectations of others and ourselves. When attachment wounds occur, people may later struggle with trust, connection, and emotion regulation. Dr. Crase-Hicks incorporates attachment theory to help clients explore how their history affects current patterns and to build healthier ways of relating.

Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples and Relationships

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a structured, evidence-based approach for couples and families that focuses on repairing emotional bonds and changing negative interaction cycles. Multiple controlled trials show EFT can significantly reduce relationship distress and improve attachment security.

In EFT-oriented work, Dr. Crase-Hicks helps couples:

• Identify the negative cycles that keep them stuck (pursue–withdraw, blame–defend, etc.)
• Uncover the underlying emotions beneath anger, criticism, or shutting down
• Express needs and fears in ways that foster connection
• Create new, more secure patterns of reaching and responding
• Rebuild trust, responsiveness, and emotional safety

Because EFT is attachment-based, it complements her trauma-informed perspective and supports both partners in feeling seen and supported.

EMDR for Trauma and Distressing Memories

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-researched method for treating post-traumatic stress and other trauma-related conditions. The World Health Organization and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs list EMDR as an effective treatment for PTSD.

EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess disturbing memories so that they become less overwhelming and integrate into the person’s broader life story. During EMDR, clients recall aspects of a troubling memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, often through guided eye movements, sounds, or taps. Over time, the emotional intensity typically decreases, and new, more adaptive beliefs can emerge.

In Dr. Crase-Hicks’ practice, EMDR may be used to address:

• Traumatic accidents or medical experiences
• Abuse, neglect, or interpersonal violence
• Traumatic grief or loss
• Persistent shame and negative self-beliefs
• Performance-related anxiety rooted in earlier experiences

What It Is Like to Work with Dr. Crase-Hicks

Clients often seek therapy at times when life feels overwhelming, confusing, or painful. Dr. Crase-Hicks aims to create a therapeutic relationship marked by warmth, directness, and collaboration.

Core Elements of Her Counseling Style

• Empathic listening – Clients are invited to share their stories without judgment.
• Curiosity rather than criticism – Problem behaviors are explored as attempts to cope, not flaws.
• Collaborative goal setting – Treatment plans are developed together with clear priorities.
• Pacing and safety – Especially in trauma work, she respects each client’s window of tolerance.
• Cultural humility – She recognizes that identity, culture, and context shape how distress is experienced and expressed.

Individual, Couple, and Family Support

While many clients see Dr. Crase-Hicks individually, she also welcomes partners and family members when it enhances healing.

Conditions and Concerns Commonly Addressed

Drawing inspiration from her clinical profile and mental health best practices, Dr. Crase-Hicks commonly supports clients with the following, among others:

• Post-traumatic stress and complex trauma
• Anxiety disorders (including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic)
• Depressive disorders and mood-related difficulties
• Relationship distress in couples or families
• Grief, loss, and life changes (separation, illness, caregiving)
• Shame, self-criticism, and difficulties with self-compassion

Evidence suggests that evidence-based psychotherapies such as CBT, EMDR, and EFT can significantly reduce symptom severity and improve functioning for many individuals with these conditions.

Online Therapy and Accessibility

Like many contemporary clinicians, Dr. Crase-Hicks offers online therapy, increasing accessibility for individuals who may face barriers to in-person care, such as distance, mobility issues, or caregiving responsibilities.

Research before and after the COVID-19 pandemic has found that telepsychology and telepsychiatry can be as effective as in-person care for many conditions, including anxiety and depression, when delivered appropriately and securely.

Online sessions with Dr. Crase-Hicks typically include:

• A secure video platform to protect client confidentiality
• Flexible scheduling when possible to accommodate work and family demands
• Psychoeducation about how to create a private, distraction-free environment for sessions
• Use of trauma-informed techniques adapted for the online setting

Preparing for Therapy with Dr. Crase-Hicks

Starting therapy can feel daunting, especially after trauma or experiences of not being believed or understood. A few steps can help clients feel more prepared and empowered when beginning work with Dr. Crase-Hicks:

Clarify Your Hopes and Questions

• Reflect on what led you to seek help now.
• Write down 2–3 main concerns or goals.
• List any questions about therapy approaches (such as EMDR or EFT).
• Consider what has helped or hurt in past counseling experiences.

Support Your Nervous System

Because trauma work can stir strong emotions, it is helpful to have strategies for grounding and self-care between sessions. Trauma experts emphasize the importance of stabilizing skills such as paced breathing, grounding through the senses, and supportive routines before doing deeper trauma processing.

• Practice slow, steady breathing or other calming exercises.
• Identify people, places, or activities that help you feel safe.
• Plan gentle self-care after early sessions (rest, journaling, a calming walk).

Ethical and Evidence-Based Practice

As a licensed clinical social worker, Dr. Crase-Hicks adheres to professional ethical standards, including confidentiality, informed consent, and respect for client autonomy. She integrates research-informed practices such as EMDR and EFT, both of which are supported by empirical studies for trauma and relationship distress, respectively.

Key elements of her evidence-based orientation include:

• Using modalities that have demonstrated effectiveness in clinical trials when appropriate
• Monitoring progress and adjusting treatment based on client feedback
• Providing psychoeducation so clients understand the rationale for interventions
• Collaborating with other providers (with consent) when an integrated care approach is beneficial

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What does trauma-informed therapy with Dr. Crase-Hicks involve?

Trauma-informed therapy with Dr. Crase-Hicks involves acknowledging the impact of past experiences on your current emotions, body responses, and relationships. Sessions emphasize emotional and physical safety, respect for your pace, and collaboration on when and how to explore difficult material. She may incorporate EMDR, emotion-focused work, and grounding skills to support your stability throughout the process.

Q: How is Emotionally Focused Therapy different from traditional couples counseling?

Emotionally Focused Therapy focuses on the emotional bond between partners rather than just communication tips or surface-level problem solving. With Dr. Crase-Hicks, EFT helps you identify negative interaction cycles, uncover vulnerable feelings beneath conflict, and create new ways of responding that increase safety and connection. Research shows EFT can lead to significant, lasting improvements in relationship satisfaction.

Q: Is EMDR safe to do online?

EMDR can be adapted for online practice when delivered by a trained clinician and conducted through a secure platform. Many EMDR practitioners now provide virtual sessions, using visual, auditory, or tactile bilateral stimulation methods that suit the online format. Before beginning EMDR, Dr. Crase-Hicks will typically focus on building trust, teaching stabilization skills, and ensuring that the online environment is private and safe for you.

Q: How long will therapy with Dr. Crase-Hicks take?

The length of therapy varies depending on your goals, history, and the complexity of your concerns. Some clients work with her for a focused period (for example, several months) to address specific issues, while others engage in longer-term work to address complex trauma or longstanding patterns. Treatment planning is collaborative, and she will revisit goals and progress with you over time.

Q: Can I work with both individual and couple sessions?

In many cases, yes. Some clients begin individual work with Dr. Crase-Hicks and later invite a partner or family member into sessions when it supports healing and understanding. She will discuss potential benefits and boundaries with you, ensuring that the therapy structure protects your safety, privacy, and goals.

Written by

Medha Deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. Medha specializes in the areas of beauty, health, sports, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is…