EMDR for Childhood and Relational Trauma

How EMDR Can Heal Trauma

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a highly effective, specialized type of therapy. While EMDR was originally developed for helping people reprocess single-event traumas, such as natural disasters, combat, or severe accidents, it has since been modified to treat relational or complex trauma. Childhood trauma usually fall into the "complex" and relational category rather than as only a single event.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (alternating sensory input) usually in the form of sound, tapping, or eye movement, to reduce distress associated with memories. Even though science doesn't currently fully understand why bilateral stimulation makes EMDR so effective, we know it supports the brain's natural ability to "digest" and integrate distressing memories in a healthy and less emotional way.

When memories are reprocessed through EMDR, people feel more neutral when a trigger happens and any memory of the event feels less intense. It quiets the "alarm bells" that usually go off when a trauma reminder happens and you feel more intentional in how to respond. When less activated, you're more capable of making the healthy changes and choices that you want to be making. Old patterns have less hold on you. It becomes easier to express your needs, feel safe and comfortable within yourself and with others, or experience healthy conflict. 

Reprocessing opens up your natural ability to think of yourself and the trauma in a healthier and clearer way. People describe more self compassion and seeing things from a different perspective. A healthy, realistic way of seeing yourself emerges.

My Approach to Trauma Therapy

Trauma therapy is such powerful work, and it is paced, intentional, and grounded. We don't rush into things before you're prepared or before your nervous system can handle it. I strive to make therapy an emotionally safe place to work through things, and I spend time getting to know you and your strengths. I'm wanting to hear what you're experiencing in therapy, like if you feel vulnerable, if you're not ready to talk about something, or if something you're experiencing is hard to fully understand. You can bring your full self into therapy, and you can absolutely never do a "bad job" in therapy! I meet you where you're at, and we go at a pace that feels right for you.

Focusing on our connection, our therapist-client relationship, is one of the foundational and most important parts of our work. Research shows that the relationship between therapist and client is the most important factor that creates genuine change in the client's life. This means that the therapist could do all the best types of therapy and know all the best interventions, but if you don't trust them, it won't be as effective as working with a therapist you do trust who may not know all the "right" interventions. However, I strive to be a therapist who focuses on our relationship and who knows the best interventions!

I offer EMDR therapy to my clients. As shared in the above section, it is considered a "gold standard" for treating trauma and is highly specialized and evidence-based. I use a specialized approach within EMDR for treating childhood trauma and relational / attachment issues.

I also offer different therapy modalities based on what you're needing. I'm trained in mindfulness, somatic and nervous system based techniques, person centered / humanistic therapy, parts work, and other evidence-based types of therapy.

Trauma Therapy Might Be Right For You If

I work with women who want to feel more confident around others, more secure within themselves, and live a full and authentic life. If you're looking to stop having "stuck" emotions or anxiety patterns calling the shots in your life, to build healthier and more fulfilling relationships with others, or to come out of your shell, you may have found the right therapist!

You might benefit from therapy even if you don't consider your childhood to be traumatic, you weren't physically abused, and had loving and supportive parents growing up. 

If your looking to go beyond learning coping skills that only manage the symptoms, and instead looking to explore and process different experiences in your life that may have affected you, you can experience lasting change. I'm here every step of the way.