Therapeutic Fly-Fishing with EMDR (TF-EMDR)® — Weekly Sessions
Therapy for people who wouldn't be caught in a therapy office.
Talk About What's Bothering You? Not Happening
You handle things. Work, family, whatever needs done.
Somewhere along the way, handling things turned into never bringing things up.
That worked, for a long time. Then it started showing up everywhere — a short fuse, trouble sleeping, snapping about something that has nothing to do with what's actually going on.
Maybe you've been told to talk to somebody. Maybe you even tried. It hasn't changed what still happens.
You might recognize yourself here:
• You keep "pushing through" even when something's clearly off.
• You're going through the motions, with everything.
• You'd rather be moving than sitting still.
• The idea of a couch, or a screen, makes you want to cancel before you even book.
You're tired of feeling like this, but you don't want to sit and talk about it.
What Is TF-EMDR®?
EMDR is built to work with the "I'm weak," "I'm stupid," "I'm a failure" stuff that follows you around, without requiring you to give all the details.
TF-EMDR® takes that work outside and incorporates fly-fishing into the process.
One hour a week. On the water.
This isn't fishing to blow off steam. It's real therapy that doesn't seem like therapy.
Foster Joseph Sayers Dam, Bald Eagle State Park, Centre County, PA
How It Works
You focus on what we're working with and notice what comes up — that's enough.
I'm right next to you doing the same thing. Close enough to check in every 10 to 15 minutes, far enough that neither of us hooks the other.
The water gives your eyes somewhere to look. The rod gives your hands something to do. The casting gives the bilateral stimulation EMDR uses to help your brain process the hard stuff without needing to talk about the details.
You're less in your head about being in therapy and more just doing it.
Want to know more about TF-EMDR®? Learn about it from its creator, Tony Parmenter, at the Seiyu Institute →.
You Can Start to Feel More Focused and in Control
The "I'm a failure" reaction can still show up. It just doesn't immediately get the last word.
You notice it sooner. There's a beat between what happened and what you do about it — enough room to tell what's going on right now vs what old shit's making an appearance.
Some days that beat is barely there. Some days it's enough to change what you do next.
Who This Is For
This could be a good fit if you:
• Enjoy being outside near water
• Are interested in fly-fishing — no experience needed, instruction is included
• Don't feel comfortable in the "typical" therapy setting
• Are tired of feeling guilty but don't know how to fix it
The Clinician Behind This Work
Hey there, I'm Chris. I'm licensed in Pennsylvania as a Professional Counselor and Behavior Specialist. I'm also a National Certified Counselor.
I grew up in North Central PA with all brothers and a lot of "stop being a bawl baby." Fishing was one of the only places I ever found peace.
More than 21 years doing trauma-informed work. In June 2026 I trained with Tony Parmenter, TF-EMDR®'s creator, and came back credentialed as an Apprentice, working toward full certification.
Who Might Find A Better Fit Elsewhere
You may need a different option if you're:
• In active crisis or experiencing severe instability
• Currently struggling with unmanaged substance use
• Experiencing active psychosis or severe dissociation
• In need of a higher level of care
• Living with a health condition that would make it unsafe to engage in light hiking and fly-fishing for an hour
If that's the case, Weekly Online Therapy → with me, or a referral to another in person provider, is where to start instead.
You'll be required to sign a health waiver before participating.
What to Expect When We Meet
Foster Joseph Sayers Dam. Thursdays: 10–11am, 11:30am–12:30pm, or 1–2pm.
I have gear you can use, including a net and hiking pole, or bring your own. Flies must be barbless. You're responsible for your own boots and vest. Bring something to drink so you can stay hydrated.
We all know Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate. I have plans in place for handling the unexpected; we'll review them before your first session.
How To Start
Questions You Might Be Asking
Do I need to know how to fly fish?
No.
Instruction's included.
Do I need a fishing license?
Not for our sessions. If you want to fish on your own after, you'll need your own PA license (and trout stamp if you plan on fishing for trout), resident or nonresident depending on where you live.
Do you take insurance?
I'm an out-of-network provider. Sessions are $200 and may be eligible for OON reimbursement — I help by submitting the claims for you through Mentaya.
If I choose OON reimbursement, how much info is shared and who sees it?
I use Mentaya to submit the claim to your insurance company on your behalf. The claim requires your name, address, date of birth, diagnosis, CPT code, dates of service, and the fee.
If I have insurance through work, will they see the info too?
Generally, your employer doesn't get access to your individual claims just because you have insurance through work.
Depending on how the plan is set up, certain people who administer it might have access to your protected health info — but HIPAA limits who that is and what they can do with it. Typically, your health plan information can't be used for employment decisions.
For anything specific to your plan, your insurance carrier or your employer's HR or benefits department can tell you more.
If you're active duty, a reservist, or on TRICARE, the rules can be different. Check with your plan directly.
What about privacy if we're outside?
We're in public. I can't promise nobody sees us. Before your first session, we'll develop a plan for what we do if somebody starts coming near us. There is a risk that someone could take a photo or video without either of us knowing. Neither of us controls what happens with that.
Is TF-EMDR® legitimate?
Research supports the efficacy of nature and EMDR on stress response. Tony Parmenter developed TF-EMDR® by bringing EMDR and therapeutic fly-fishing together and published his findings in the Journal of Military & Veterans' Health.
If you're interested in learning more, here are the articles:
Can you prescribe medication?
No.
I'm a counselor, not a psychiatrist. If that's what you're looking for, I can help point you in the right direction.
Why does this cost more than weekly online therapy?
Travel, extra liability insurance, and the necessary equipment.
What if I want more than an hour?
This is a standing one-hour weekly session. If you want more concentrated time, the TF-EMDR® Retreat page → is built for that.
Still Not Sold?
Some weeks you won't have the words. Other weeks you won't need them.
You can still do the work.
The free 30-minute consultation comes with no further obligation.
Referring A Client?
Your client shows up every week. Says they're fine. Talks about work, the game, their truck.
Every time you get close, they crack a joke or check the clock.
TF-EMDR® allows the work to happen without forcing them to talk about the details.
With your client's consent, we can coordinate so we're working in their best interest.
Quick Links
Resources
Connect With Us
Prebble Counseling Services
Online therapy in PA, FL & SC
Licensed Professional Counselor | 21+ years experience
Telehealth only ~100% Secure & HIPAA-compliant
1646 North Atherton #1077
State College, PA 16803
Business Hours
Monday: 10am-8pm
Tuesday: 9am-8pm
Wednesday: 10am-8pm
Thursday: 10am-7pm
Friday: 11am-8pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Registered Telehealth Provider Verification
🔐 Disclaimers
This site is for informational purposes only and does not offer crisis services or emergency care.
If you are in crisis, please call/text 988, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room.
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