meet April Fjeld, Greensboro emdr therapist

Ready to regulate your nervous system and find peace?  


A woman with shoulder-length hair, glasses, and a black shirt smiling in front of a marble wall background.

Are we a good match?:

Who I work best with.

Clients who are ready to make a change and are willing to commit to doing the work to help themselves.

The majority of my clients identify as female, but I am open to working with males.

I prefer to work with teens and adults

(see FAQ for more info about working with children). 

A majority of my clients identify as neurodivergent (the highest percentage being Autistic and/or have ADHD, are gifted, and/or have dyslexia). Often my clients are recently (or later in life) diagnosed and are trying to figure out what to do next.

Some of my clients describe themselves as intuitive. They feel connected to the world, other people, and/or God in ways that feel different than the way other people experience the world. They are attuned to things like energy and frequencies.

I work with many people who consider themselves helpers in their occupation. A large majority are teachers and therapists.

I love working with clients who are questioning if they are neurodivergent and aren’t sure what to do now.  Wondering, “What does it mean to get a diagnosis?” or “How can I better communicate with my neurotypical partner?” Bring in all your Tik-Tok videos and IG reels and wonderings. I am here for it.

Trauma work is my absolute passion. Some people hear the word trauma and think this means only major, horrific events. Many people with negative symptoms (anxiety, depression, etc.) are confused about why they are struggling because they haven’t dealt with horrific trauma. You don’t have to go through something that made the nightly news to be struggling. We will talk about “little t trauma” and the cumulative effect in how our brain stores these things. Getting beyond just talking about it, we will somatically release the memories that are causing distress.

I love helping folxs heal from trauma, but some of you reading this now might not know you have experienced trauma. Did you know preverbal trauma can start while you are in your mother’s body or your current symptoms could be tied back to being in the NICU as a baby or being separated from your caregiver for a time? If you are in a marginalized or minoritized group (due to race, gender, sexuality, disability, etc.) you have surely experienced trauma, but I am not trying to put that language on you if you do not identify those experiences in that way.  Whether we call it trauma, stressors, triggers…we will work to reduce the negative effects they are having on you.

I work with clients from all religious, spiritual, and non-religious backgrounds, and I genuinely enjoy the richness that diversity brings to the therapy space. I’m a Christian (the nice kind who loves everyone), and I’m happy to integrate that into your sessions if that’s something you want. I also support clients who are healing from religious trauma or working through complex feelings around faith. I have clients who practice different religions, follow their own spiritual path, or don’t identify with any belief system at all, and I’ve found that our differences have never been a barrier to meaningful, effective work. I’m extremely open-minded and inclusive. You will never feel pressured, judged, or pushed in any direction. If you ever have questions or concerns about how our beliefs might show up in the therapy room, I welcome those conversations at any time to ensure you feel safe, respected, and fully supported.

I’m deeply committed to creating a welcoming and affirming space for people of all backgrounds. This includes honoring your identity in all its forms—whether related to gender, sexuality, race, culture, disability, or lived experience. You don’t have to educate me, but if there’s an area I’m less familiar with, I take responsibility for doing my own learning to build cultural awareness to provide the respectful, informed support you deserve. My goal is for you to feel truly seen, valued, and safe in our work together.

I love working with athletes. I've had the privilege of supporting teen athletes at regional and national dance competitions, as well as wrestling matches across the state. Being right there at events—providing mental health support and performance coaching between routines or matches—has shown me just how powerful the mind-body connection is. In many cases, I’ve seen athletes experience immediate improvements in focus, confidence, and performance. If you're an athlete who feels stuck in your head (spiraling with stress, self-doubt, or “what ifs”) we can work on clearing that mental clutter. I have witnessed time and again that a single session can make a huge difference. I'm open to traveling to events if you’d like on-site support.

Are we a good match?:

Who should not pick me.

I am not the therapist for you if you are trying therapy due to an ultimatum from a parent or partner. 

If you want someone who perfectly follows a script, is exactly like your old therapist, etc.—-> not it. 

If you are triggered or annoyed by neurodivergence ——> not it. My brain pulls in a lot of context, all the time. There is so much for me to synthesize in such a brief time during your session. It happens so fast. My depth of knowledge goes far and feels connected to so many pieces. I know and have a point. I will get to it most of the time. I am intentional with my words and don’t ramble, typically. I don’t share self-disclosure to hear myself talk, but rather when it is appropriate for you in validating, providing a concrete example, etc. If you are a person who often thinks “get to the point” when someone is talking, I will be annoying to you, and I will feel that energy.

I care about you as my client, I really do, but I can’t just be a vent session every week. I can’t listen to you repeat the same problems over and over, unwilling to do anything to change. There has to be forward progress, even if just a baby step, even if we take a couple of steps back next week… forward movement is necessary.  

Read on my page about the modalities I use (EMDR, ART, IFS, Brainspotting). If you already know there is no way you would be open to trying something like this, it will be better for you to find someone else.

If you are on the fence about therapy——> not it. Look at the stages of change. You want to be in stage 3 to 4 to do our best work together.

Things about your life will change doing this work. An example: Boundaries are incredibly important and a critical part of your journey. We won’t talk much about them at the beginning. I’ll try to monitor my face when you share about the zero boundary you have with (pick a person… your mom). I’ve been there. I don’t push boundary work from a cognitive framework (meaning I don’t explain the importance of boundaries, help you come up with boundaries for your interactions with xxx, and then listen to you lament and feel bad about yourself when you don’t stick to it). This wastes a lot of time and has a high failure rate. What does happen is as you begin to find healing in an area, boundaries become a natural next step. You love yourself (a little at first.. hopefully so much more later) and so you find that you can no longer tolerate being in that environment, exposed to that behavior, etc. When you are talking about your week and I start to notice boundaries being put in place (but realize you don’t see it as such yet), I will bring it to your attention to discuss. For some clients, that may come as a “quick question” (teacher-me loves leading you to put these pieces together & make meaning). For other clients, it may turn into a church clap and some shouts of praise as we celebrate together evidence of your growth.

If you are not ready for changes and feel like you can’t get past that, I am not a good fit for you. It is not about me making you do anything, but it is about you being open to new possibilities and walking into your ‘what’s next.’

A counseling office room with a gray armchair, yellow round sofa with pillows, a small table, a dark rug, and a forest mural or wallpaper on the wall.

How I work

A Typical Session

(not focused on deep trauma work would look like…)

I don’t like chasing symptoms or giving you random coping strategies like a to-do list you will feel guilty about not completing. I prefer to move upstream. Anxiety off the charts… why? I’m down to listen to what your brain has come up with, because I know you spend a considerable amount of time thinking about it, but I will work to help you dial this back during session (because all that thinking isn’t helping you feel better/it actually makes you feel worse). We will instead learn to focus on the body (maybe adding bilateral stimulation, such as tappers) to notice the parts coming up for you or memories that feel connected to the current trigger. This gives us information as to what to target doing ART/EMDR/IFS/Brainspotting work. 

Not every session has to be deep, trauma work, sometimes we will just talk. Most people don’t realize we can also do beautiful work with ART/EMDR/IFS/Brainspotting on things that aren’t super heavy. As part of working together, I hope you will learn how to incorporate some of these strategies in your daily life. 


I have many creative strategies to pull from based on your needs and preferences. Sessions can include dance, movement, exercise, music, instruments, art, play… I am not a worksheet-person, and I never was as a teacher either. I have resources I can share with you to do at home, but spending our minutes watching you write answers on a paper is a no-go. 

I like to use our time wisely and be as efficient as possible. If you are a fast talker, I match that energy. If that’s too much for you, I dial it back. At first, people often apologize for being “off topic” or “not remembering the question.” No need for apologies, if it comes up in your brain and feels important enough to come out of your mouth, that’s what matters. I am not questioning why your brain made that connection, because I get it. As for not remembering the question, same twin, unless I happened to write it down. If I really need to know the answer, it will come up again. 


Side note- I write notes on my Ipad during the session. With my auditory processing issues/Adhd/the way my brain works, it helps me process and make sense of what you are saying. I am better able to stay present and focused by writing.  I can make a note when you say something profound that I want to make sure to come back to, but I don’t want to interrupt your flow to ask about then. It allows my brain to move on and not rehearse it, etc. I love to look over themes and be able to mark progress with specific examples, “two weeks ago you said xxxx…. now today I notice xxxx….”  

The teacher part of me loves to answer questions you may have. We call this psychoeducation in therapy. I try my hardest to synthesize the information and not jump into a Ted Talk. The first few sessions may feel heavier with information if you have a lot of questions about EMDR, etc. Some sessions include very little or no psychoeducation. This is also differentiated according to a client’s need. 

My brain thinks in connections, and my knowledge extends beyond what a typical therapist knows. I have many lived experiences that shape who I am as a person and therapist. We aren’t just our thoughts/brain, and that is not our only focus in therapy. As a whole person, we are the body, mind, and soul (self/consciousness). We can’t leave any of those components out as we do this work together. An example: having anxiety might not be connected to a problem in your mind, but rather it could stem from many other things. Oh, it started after 2 rounds of antibiotics. Do you know 90-95% of serotonin is created in the gut (as are many other neurotransmitters). Could you try a pre/probiotic to see if that can help? Have you had your blood levels checked? Vitamin D low? Have you heard of grounding?

My approach is holistic in looking at both the source(s) causing distress and the interventions to address them.

A cozy waiting or therapy room with green armchairs arranged in a semicircle, illuminated by two standing lamps. The wall behind features a colorful artistic mural with shades of blue, purple, and pink. Posters with information about body sensations and color wheels are on the side walls.

How I work

How often would we need to meet?

This depends on your specific needs, and together we determine what will be best for you.

Some clients come to me looking for on-going, weekly appointments.

Some start at twice a week due to debilitating symptoms, and then they go to weekly appointments when they are in a better headspace.

Some are already working with another therapist, but they are interested in doing a few sessions of ART to heal from a past trauma.

Other clients aren’t interested in meeting weekly but would rather work together for several hours at a time during one session (intensive). Note: This is not covered by insurance.

If you are not interested in intensive work, my preference is to begin one time a week to build rapport and gain momentum, but I am able to be flexible based on your needs. 

If you are unable to commit to at least twice a month when first starting therapy, I will not be a good fit for you.

What makes me different as a therapist…

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, glasses, and a black shirt, smiling in front of a decorative wall with a pattern of trees and leaves.

Being neurodivergent and the parent of 4 different flavors of neurodivergent kids (ages 10-19) is an incredible asset to my clients. I bring in many lived experiences to my work, which helps me connect with clients in a real and relatable way. I am passionate about this work because I have done and continue to do it for myself. It has changed and continues to change my life, and I want that for you, too.

I care deeply about those I work with, but I also do the inner work necessary to maintain a grounded presence, ensuring I’m fully available for you without carrying your burdens home with me. In our work together, you don’t have to protect my feelings. You can bring your heavy stuff, when you’re ready, and I’ll hold space for you without judgment or shock.

Humor is part of who I am, and sometimes a well-timed laugh can bring relief in even the heaviest moments. I believe in being open-minded and adaptable, always exploring new strategies and learning to better support my clients.

I’m not perfect . I’m human, too. I value feedback, and if I make a mistake, I’ll own it and apologize. I’m not afraid to say, “I don’t know,” while being resourceful and committed to finding the answers. 

With training in multiple therapeutic modalities, you will have options. We can tailor your therapy experience to meet your unique needs, giving you the flexibility to choose what feels most helpful for you. If you end up not liking a modality, such as EMDR, you won’t have to leave me to start over with another therapist. 

I am so fortunate in that my office has multiple rooms to choose from for our therapeutic work (photos throughout the website). Small room, large room, a size in between, a cozy couch, a stiff chair, an amazing rug on the floor, an Airfort tent we blow up with a fan, I enjoy being able to provide my clients with choices. Play therapy isn’t just for kids. I have the best kinetic sand and Magna Tiles 12x12 to build giant things. Color, sing, create. fidgets, cozy blankets, weighted animals, etc. are always accessible. Feel free to take your shoes off if your feet aren’t stinky. Eye contact is always optional. I have a giant Promethean board for us to write on, look up information, assess your HRV using Heart Math… so many options. Also, totally fine if you think that all sounds weird and you want to just sit across from each other on the couch, shoes on. 

I am a great therapist, but will I be great for you?

I would say the answer is yes, if….

You are looking for a therapist who has been-there-done-that, with knowledge and wisdom coming from persevering through challenges too, not just by reading about them in a book. 

You are an out-of-the box thinker, or at least comfortable working with one, and you are open to trying new strategies to get you feeling better. 

No longer putting Band-Aids on bullet holes, you are ready to experience lasting change. You know it’s time to make you a priority. 

If you read all these words and didn’t click the X at the top right, I consider it a sign that you are clearly my people, wanting to get all the information and know all of the things.

Decorative wall sign saying "see the good" in black cursive letters on a light-colored wall.

SAFETY is Top Priority

    • Creating a Non-Judgmental Space Ensuring clients feel accepted and supported no matter what they disclose. 

    • Validation and Empathy Responding with compassion to ensure clients feel seen and understood. 

    • Predictability and Structure Clear expectations and transparent communication to build trust.

    • Office Environment Making sure the office feels welcoming, accessible, and private. 

    • Crisis Planning Collaborating with clients to develop safety plans when in unsafe relationships or struggling with self-harm. 

    • Sensory Awareness & Accommodations We won’t turn on the big lights. 🙂 Plus many other accommodations. 

    • Maintaining Boundaries Establishing clear professional boundaries to create a secure therapeutic alliance. 

    • Pacing the Work Respecting the client’s readiness to explore difficult emotions or experiences without pushing too quickly.

    • Affirming Diverse Identities Creating an inclusive space where clients feel safe expressing their cultural background, gender identity, sexual orientation, political beliefs, or other aspects of their identity. 

    • Acknowledging Power Dynamics Being mindful of how factors such as race, privilege, or trauma history may influence the therapeutic relationship

    • Stabilization Making sure the client has grounding skills and coping strategies in place and does not leave the session dysregulated. 

    • Window of Tolerance Awareness Helping clients stay within their optimal zone of emotional regulation to avoid overwhelm or dissociation.

    • Gentle Language Encouraging collaboration ex: “Would it feel helpful to try..?” versus directive language.

    • Choice One ex: during trauma work I guide, then begin to scaffold so the client can feel empowered. In EMDR, that could look like me not counting the number of BLS passes and telling you to stop, but rather allowing you to decide where the stopping point is. In ART, you will hear me say “is there anything you want to share?” always having the choice to put words to your thoughts. In IFS, I may make a suggestion of a question to ask the part, but then say, “if that feels right to you. Trust yourself.”

You can only do this work if you feel safe. What this looks like in our space & time together is…

Candle holder with woman in community

specializing in:

Trauma

Neurodivergence

EMDR

My Training & Education

  • MA Mental Health Counseling (2023) North Carolina Central University, 4.0 GPA

  • Post-Masters in Gifted Education (2014) Duke University

  • MEd Elementary Education (2006) Elon University 

  • Bachelor of Science Elem Ed & Psychology (2003) University of North Carolina- Greensboro 

Education & Licensure

  • TF-CBT

  • EMDR Basic Training (50 hours)

  • EMDR/IFS level 1 and level 2 training with Kendhal Hart

  • ART level 1 training

  • Brainspotting Level 1

Training & Certifications

  • NC Teacher (2003-Current) Elem Ed (K-6), Reading (K-12), Special Education (K-12), Gifted Education (K-12), and English (9-12) with National Board Certification in early & middle childhood literacy (2010-Current). 

  • NC Insurance Broker 2022-Current (focused on Health Insurance).

Additional Areas of Licensure

Your needs matter too.

Your needs matter, too.