EMDR & Equine-Assisted Therapy in St. Louis, MO
I’m a trauma therapist based in St. Louis, specializing in EMDR and equine-assisted EMDR. My work is grounded in the intersection of humans and nature — inviting you to slow down and reconnect with yourself, your community, and the earth.
As a queer and neurodivergent therapist, I create a welcoming space for people of all identities. My approach is somatic, relational, and affirming. I believe the wisdom you need is already within you — my role is to help you access it with safety, care, and curiosity.
Elyse Vesser, LCSW
Therapy Services in Missouri & Illinois
I work with adults 18+ in Missouri and Illinois. My office is conveniently located next to Benton Park in St. Louis, but I also offer options to meet you where you are:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)
Evidence-based trauma care to process overwhelming experiences and restore calm.
Equine-Assisted EMDR
Integrating horses into trauma therapy with EMDR, deepening nervous system regulation and healing.
Walk & Talk Therapy
Therapy outside, moving through nature, grounding your process in body and environment.
Virtual & Hybrid Sessions
Accessible options so therapy can fit your life.
Am I the Right Fit For You?
I help adults with trauma navigate our complex world with less overwhelm. Most of my clients are queer and/or neurodivergent.
My clients often struggle with feeling disconnected from themselves or others around them. Despite being highly empathetic and wise, they might continue to feel unseen by others and pulled into the past.
We might work well together if:
You feel overwhelmed by emotions and unsure what to do with them
You’re queer, questioning, or somewhere under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella
You feel disconnected from your needs and long for support in naming them
You want therapy that honors body, mind, and environment together
Past trauma makes it hard to cope with daily life
Frequently Asked Questions
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I do not currently accept insurance, though I can provide the necessary documentation for out of network benefits.
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My fee is $175 for a 50-minute individual session.I do hold a limited number of reduced fee spots (pro bono, $100 per session, $120 per session, and $150 per session.) As of August 2025 I have no sliding scale spots available.
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All equine-assisted therapy is ground work (not mounted), and no horse experience is necessary.
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No, I currently am only working with adults 18+
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Our sessions will be 50 minutes long (unless you book an extended intensive session!). I require weekly sessions at first, so we can get to know one another. You’ll fill out some paperwork digitally ahead of time so that I’ll have some basic information to get us started and will have your preferred payment method on file. We will decide from there on the frequency of our meetings and treatment goals. Sessions can be virtual, in-person, or a combination that works for you!
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A traditional therapy hour can be powerful, but sometimes people need more extensive processing time. Or want that time to be outside of an office setting. That’s what I created extended sessions.
In your extended session or therapy intensive we will use Equine-Assisted EMDR & somatic grounding techniques to move through “stuck” energy. Sessions are tailored to you and your goals, and can take place in-office or on a therapy farm with my equine partners. All equine-assisted therapy is ground work (not mounted), and no horse experience is necessary. Logistics and pricing information here.
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You can reach out to me for a free 20-minute consultation where we decide if we are a good fit. If so, we will meet for your initial session (in person or via zoom) to get a better sense of what your specific needs are and how I can help. What we discuss in therapy is 100% confidential. You may feel understandably vulnerable at first, and we will go at your pace to get to know one another.
Research shows that therapist-client fit is the strongest indicator of desired outcomes in therapy. Given this, I will pay close attention to if we are jiving with one another and encourage client feedback. You deserve the very best, and if I’m not the right person for you that’s okay!
