What are the opening hours?

Monday 11am - 6pm Tuesday 11am - 6pm Wednesday 11am - 6pm Thursday 11am - 6pm Friday 11am - 6pm

Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW - Psychotherapist and Consultant

Home
United States
Grand Rapids, MI
Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW - Psychotherapist and Consultant

Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW, ACSW – Online Psychotherapist specializing in using EMDR for PTSD and Complex PTSD. Treating all residents of Michigan,

Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW, ACSW is an online psychotherapist in Grand Rapids Mi specializing in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety and Depression and Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Online therapy is available to all Michigan residents.

05/06/2026

Jeff’s EMDR Testimonial

“… This procedure helped me personally with some deep-seeded, stressful issues and memories that seemed to 'drift away' after a few sessions with Jeff. I would recommend working with Jeff to anyone - especially in his specialty area of posttraumatic stress disorder.” - Client using EMDR

To schedule an online appointment contact-

Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW
http://www.jeffdwarshuis.com/
jeffsemdr@gmail.com
(616) 4431425

Over 10,000 Hours of Clinical Experience using EMDR

05/04/2026

Jeff’s EMDR Thank You

Thank you to Jeffrey Young, PhD for creating Schema Therapy.
Schema Therapy articulates the negative impacts of unmet childhood needs.

For The EMDR therapist this allows therapist and client to reprocesses key memories leading to childhood loss and trauma.

To schedule an appointment contact-

Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW
http://www.jeffdwarshuis.com/
jeffsemdr@gmail.com
(616) 4431425

Over 10,000 Hours of Clinical Experience using EMDR

05/03/2026

Jeff’s EMDR Schema Therapy Combo

The Subjugation Schema and EMDR

The Subjugation Schema is one of the eighteen different schemas in Schema Therapy.

Individuals with this schema will allow others to make choices for them, will avoid relational conflict or will compensate by rebelling against authority.

Schema Therapy identifies the development of this schema as coming from the unmet needs of free expression and the expression of needs.

EMDR Therapy can be used to eliminate the negative feelings and self-perceptions related to memories of childhood subjugation.

The Subjugation Schema is “The excessive surrendering of control to others because one feels coerced. It is usually to avoid anger, retaliation, or abandonment.

The two major forms of subjugation are 1) The Subjugation of Needs - which is the suppression of one’s preferences, decisions, and desires or 2) The Subjugation of Emotions - which is the suppression of emotional expression, especially anger.

Usually this involves the perception that one's own desires, opinions, and feelings are not valid or important to others. Frequently presents as excessive compliance, combined with hypersensitivity to feeling trapped.

Generally it leads to a buildup of anger, manifested in maladaptive symptoms like passive-aggressive behavior, uncontrolled outbursts of temper, psychosomatic symptoms, withdrawal of affection, "acting out" and substance abuse.

Treatment Suggestions for the Subjugation Schema

1. List everyday situations at home and at work in which you subjugate your own needs to others.

2. Consider if your negative expectations about the consequences of expressing your needs and feelings to others are exaggerated. If they are exaggerated, then express your needs and feelings appropriately.

3. Using imagery and/or writing exercises, express anger and assert your rights with any controlling parent or other authority figure in your childhood.

4. Select relatively non-controlling partners and friends.

5. Learn and use assertive techniques that can help you clarify your needs and express your feelings with others.

6. Identify your natural inclinations and practice acting on them. List them and consider using imagery and role-play as an exercise. After practicing, follow through with your learning in real life situations.

7. List times of childhood subjugation of your thoughts and feelings. Use EMDR to eliminate the negative feelings and self-perceptions related to these memories.

Online EMDR Therapy for all Michigan residents. Contact -

Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW
http://www.jeffdwarshuis.com/
jeffsemdr@gmail.com
(616) 4431425

Over 10,000 Hours of Clinical Experience using EMDR

04/30/2026

Jeff’s EMDR Value

I use EMDR on these presenting problems.

Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Self-Abusive Behavior
Pain Management
Major Depression
Eating Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Panic Disorder
Dissociation
Addictions
Phobias
Grief

Online EMDR Therapy for all Michigan residents. Contact -

Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW
http://www.jeffdwarshuis.com/
jeffsemdr@gmail.com
(616) 4431425

Over 10,000 Hours of Clinical Experience using EMDR

04/29/2026

Jeff’s EMDR Value

Since EMDR permanently eliminates the emotional pain that interferes with a person meeting their full potential, a client will continue to improve after they have completed EMDR and terminated therapy.

Online EMDR Therapy for all Michigan residents. Contact -

Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW
http://www.jeffdwarshuis.com/
jeffsemdr@gmail.com
(616) 4431425

Over 10,000 Hours of Clinical Experience using EMDR

04/28/2026

Jeff’s EMDR Opinion

EMDR can be used for problem solving.

This can be done by integrating a positive self-belief into the picture of the client going through the problem-solving process.

As the person does EMDR reprocessing, the Shema Therapy technique of “rescripting” is used as the client imagines the positive cognition taking control and creating an outcome of their choosing.

Online EMDR Therapy for all Michigan residents. Contact -

Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW
http://www.jeffdwarshuis.com/
jeffsemdr@gmail.com
(616) 4431425

Over 10,000 Hours of Clinical Experience using EMDR

04/27/2026

Jeff’s EMDR Explain

EMDR and the Power of Validation

EMDR Therapy for an individual with a history of childhood trauma will assist them in decreasing reactivity to relational conflict. Also, it will allow them to remain present in a conflict and use validation strategies to manage a relationship and stay regulated.

Here are four things to expect from successful validation.

1. Validation will disarm the other person – The continuation of conflict requires that both people be involved. The act of validation stops the counter attacking posture and leaves hostility to be useless.

2. Validation opens the way for communication – As validation happens and hostility and defensiveness diminish; it allows each person to focus on the root of the problem and discuss it for resolve.

3. Validation soothes negative arousal – Relational conflict creates a defensive sympathetic response. If someone expects conflict, they will defend themselves. If someone is in conflict, they will defend themselves. If one validates then the usefulness of arousal disappears.

4. Validation builds trust – If a person takes an active role to validate another it sends a message that the relationship is important and deserving of consistent effort. This active role creates safety as others trust the other’s commitment.

Online EMDR Therapy for all Michigan residents. Contact -

Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW
http://www.jeffdwarshuis.com/
jeffsemdr@gmail.com
(616) 4431425

Over 10,000 Hours of Clinical Experience using EMDR

04/26/2026

Jeff’s EMDR Explain

Trauma, EMDR and the Power of Validation

When two people are in conflict, they will likely attack the other and defend themselves.

This cyclical process causes two people to perpetuate a process of anger, disconnection and poor problem solving.

Validation is a relational strategy that ends the cycle of attack and counterattack, is a diffusion technique and means communicating to another person an understanding of their experience.

Validating messages can be formed by using phrases such as “That makes sense because…” or “That makes sense because as I know you…”

Validation is not necessarily agreeing with another person but rather seeing things from their point of view to the extent that it makes sense.

EMDR Therapy can help for an individual with a history of childhood trauma by assisting them in decreasing reactivity to relational conflict and allow them to remain present.

Online EMDR Therapy for all Michigan residents. Contact -

Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW
http://www.jeffdwarshuis.com/
jeffsemdr@gmail.com
(616) 4431425

Over 10,000 Hours of Clinical Experience using EMDR

04/23/2026

Jeff’s EMDR Therapist Tip

After each set of eye movements, complement the client.

Positive reinforcement will cause a desired repeat of behavior.

Also, it assists with feelings of client safety since the client doesn’t feel alone in an intervention that can feel very isolated.

Online EMDR Therapy for all Michigan residents. Contact -

Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW
http://www.jeffdwarshuis.com/
jeffsemdr@gmail.com
(616) 4431425

Over 10,000 Hours of Clinical Experience using EMDR

04/22/2026

Jeff’s EMDR Opinion

EMDR has very little to do with traditional therapy since it does not teach a client much of anything.

Rather it eliminates the emotional pain that keeps them from their full potential.

Online EMDR Therapy for all Michigan residents. Contact -

Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW
http://www.jeffdwarshuis.com/
jeffsemdr@gmail.com
(616) 4431425

Over 10,000 Hours of Clinical Experience using EMDR

04/21/2026

Jeff’s EMDR Testimonial

“Jeff is my preferred choice for outpatient EMDR referrals. He is an excellent communicator who is dedicated to using EMDR to treat a wide variety of mental health issues. I have heard nothing but positive remarks from Jeff's clients.”
- Daniel Richter LMSW, Forest View Hospital

Online EMDR Therapy for all Michigan residents. Contact -

Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW
http://www.jeffdwarshuis.com/
jeffsemdr@gmail.com
(616) 4431425

Over 10,000 Hours of Clinical Experience using EMDR

04/19/2026

Jeff’s EMDR Schema Therapy Combo

The Enmeshment Schema and EMDR

The Enmeshment Schema is one of the eighteen different schemas in Schema Therapy.

Individuals with this schema will to share adult intimate information to a parent or parents into their adulthood, will avoid intimate relationships or will try to become the opposite of their past caregivers in all ways possible.

Schema Therapy identifies the development of this schema as coming from the unmet needs of child emancipation and identity development.

EMDR Therapy can be used to treat adult memories of maintaining proper boundaries and the fear this caused.

The Enmeshment Schema is – “The excessive emotional involvement and closeness with one or more significant others (often parents) at the expense of full individuation or normal social development. Often it involves the belief that at least one of the enmeshed individuals cannot survive or be happy without the constant support of the other. This schema may also include feelings of being smothered by, or fused with, others or having an insufficient individual identity. Often this schema is experienced as a feeling of emptiness and floundering, having no direction, or in extreme cases questioning one's existence.”

Treatment Suggestions for the Enmeshment Schema

1. Identify and list your own personal preferences and natural inclinations rather than doing what you think are others’ preferences.

2. Challenge the idea that is preferable to be enmeshed than to have your own identity. List and explore the advantages and disadvantages of developing your separate self.

3. Identify and list how you are both like and different from, your parental figure(s).

4. Select partners and friends who do not foster enmeshment but respect and challenge your independence.

5. Explore and list experiences you find inherently enjoyable. Think about all your preferences in music, movies, books, food, and activities.

6. Use EMDR to reprocess memories of disagreement and boundary management with parents. Eliminate the negative thoughts and self-perceptions created by these experiences.

Online EMDR Therapy for all Michigan residents. Contact -

Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW
http://www.jeffdwarshuis.com/
jeffsemdr@gmail.com
(616) 4431425

Over 10,000 Hours of Clinical Experience using EMDR

Address

PO Box 120056
Grand Rapids, MI
49528

Opening Hours

Monday	11am - 6pm
Tuesday	11am - 6pm
Wednesday	11am - 6pm
Thursday	11am - 6pm
Friday	11am - 6pm

Website

http://www.jeffdwarshuis.com/, https://www.linkedin.com/feed/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW - Psychotherapist and Consultant posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Jeff Dwarshuis LMSW ACSW - Psychotherapist and Consultant:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Grand Rapids?