10 Lessons from 10 Years of Healing: What Founding Peaceful Living Has Taught Me as an EMDR Therapist in Scarsdale, NY
- Dana Carretta-Stein
- Sep 9
- 4 min read
A decade of growth, healing, and holding space—for clients and for myself as an EMDR therapist in Scarsdale, NY
The early days: How Peaceful Living began
Hi there, I'm Dana—founder of Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling in Scarsdale, NY.
I started Peaceful Living in 2015, shortly after the passing of my father, Philip Louis. He struggled with anxiety and depression throughout his life, and watching him navigate that pain became the spark that lit my purpose. Peaceful Living was born out of his legacy, both in name and in spirit. The name itself honors his initials (P.L.), and our butterfly logo represents transformation—a tribute to the morning he passed, when a butterfly sat beside me as I cried. I knew at that moment he was still with me, just in a new form.
What began as a solo practice in one rented office has now become a trauma-informed community of dedicated therapists who help children, teens, and adults of all ages. Every day, we show up guided by values of compassion, respect, transformation, and healing.
As an EMDR therapist in Scarsdale, NY, I have had the honor of walking alongside hundreds of individuals as they move through pain and into healing. Peaceful Living has grown beyond anything I imagined—but the heart of our mission remains the same.
Lesson 1–5: On holding space for others
Safety is everything. Without safety, no healing can happen. Physical safety, emotional safety, cultural safety. As an EMDR therapist in Scarsdale, NY, I’ve learned to co-create this with each client—not assume it.
Your nervous system shows up in the room. Clients feel it. Therapists who are regulated help clients regulate. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being present.
Trauma shows up in the "small stuff." It’s not just the "big T" trauma. It's the chronic invalidation, the emotional neglect, the internalized messages. EMDR therapy is powerful for helping clients untangle all of it.
Healing is not linear. Clients move forward, stall, revisit old wounds. That’s okay. That’s human. My job is to hold steady, not to push.
You don’t need to fix. You need to witness.
The urge to fix comes from discomfort. Healing comes from witnessing with compassion, from helping the client find their own internal resources.
Lesson 6–10: On building a sustainable practice and healing as a therapist
Burnout is real—and sneaky. I’ve burned out more than once. Overgiving. Overworking. Under-resting. Therapist burnout doesn’t look like collapse—it looks like emotional numbness and resentment. We must care for our own nervous systems too.
You can be heart-led and also run a business. Profit isn’t shameful. It’s how we create access, build capacity, and stay in this work for the long haul.
Community changes everything. The shift from solo practice to group practice taught me the power of shared mission. Peaceful Living became a place where therapists support each other, not just clients.
The therapist’s healing matters too. I’ve done my own EMDR work. I still do. Healing is ongoing, and my clients deserve a therapist who walks the talk.
Sustainability is success.
Ten years in, success looks like boundaries, joy, space to breathe, and a team aligned with values. It’s not just about how many clients we serve—it’s how we show up while doing it.
What I wish every new therapist knew
If you’re a new therapist reading this, please hear this: You don’t have to know it all. You don’t have to carry it all. Find your people. Invest in supervision. Do your own work. And please—create systems that nourish you too. There is no award for burning out.
We built Peaceful Living on these core values:
Respect for every person’s lived experience.
Trauma-Informed Care, where we ask what happened to you, not what's "wrong."
Time-Conscious Therapy, because we believe therapy shouldn't last forever.
Relationship First, because trust changes everything.
Humor & Playfulness, because therapy can be healing and human.
To every therapist on this journey—I created these tools for you. Check out my Therapist Support products and Clinical Journals here.
A heartfelt thank you to the Peaceful Living community
To every client who has trusted us with your story: thank you.
To every therapist on our team: your heart and brilliance inspire me every day.
To my Dad—your strength, struggle, and spirit shaped everything we do.
To my family, especially my husband, our children, and our fur-baby Jack—your love is my anchor.
And to anyone looking for a trauma-informed EMDR therapist in Scarsdale, NY—Peaceful Living is here for you.
Internal Resources
Book Therapy at Peaceful Living Counseling
Feeling ready to take the next step in your healing journey? Dana’s team at Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling offers EMDR therapy and trauma-informed support both in-person (Scarsdale, NY) and virtually.
Start Healing at Home with The EMDR Therapy Progress Journal
Not quite ready for therapy? Dana’s EMDR Therapy Progress Journal is the perfect self-paced tool. It blends neuroscience-backed strategies, practical prompts, and actionable steps to help you:
✅ Track emotional triggers
✅ Build coping skills
✅ Understand how past experiences shape your present
Go Deeper in Your Healing Journey
📚 Check out my blogs at The EMDR Coach, where I break down EMDR concepts, trauma education, and practical healing strategies you can start today.
About Dana Carretta-Stein
Dana Carretta-Stein is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and founder of Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling, PLLC, and Carretta Consulting in Scarsdale, NY.
She is a certified EMDR therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant and is an expert in trauma-informed care in Westchester, NY.
Dana is also a skilled business coach for wellness practitioners who are looking to build and grow their private practice.
Check out Dana's website to learn more about her and EMDR Therapy:
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