Trauma & EMDR
Heal from the past so you can live fully in the present
Trauma can impact every aspect of your life, but it does not have to define your future.
Something in your past is making you feel stuck - it might be a particular experience you’re able to clearly identify or more complex experiences you can’t quite put your finger on. But you feel the past seeping into the present, that something is holding you back from living in the now.
If you’re feeling:
Disconnected from those around you or have challenges in your relationships
Fearful of conflict
Constantly on edge or as though something bad is going to happen
Like it’s difficult to trust others and yourself
Out of control of your emotions
Like you need to numb your feelings with substances, work, scrolling, food or anything to distract you
The need to be perfect all the time
Guilt or shame when you prioritize your own needs
Like you should be “over” what happened to you
Then you’re in the right place. It’s time to get unstuck.
We don’t choose what happens to us, but we can make the decision to heal.
With support, you can learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma. Whether you've experienced a single traumatic event or prolonged adversity, I can help you understand how trauma manifests in your life and affects your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Through evidence-based therapeutic techniques, including EMDR, I will guide you in processing and healing the emotional wounds caused by your experiences. You'll gain insights into your feelings, learn healthy coping strategies, and build emotional resilience, all of which will help you move forward.
Empowerment
As you progress through therapy, you'll regain a sense of control and empowerment over your life. You'll discover the strength within you to overcome the impact of your experiences, allowing you to move forward with a newfound sense of purpose and resilience.
Improved Relationships
Trauma can influence how you relate to others. Therapy can help you navigate relationships more effectively. By understanding the impact of trauma on your interactions, you'll learn healthier ways to connect with loved ones.
Growth
Recovery is also about personal growth. With a compassionate and supportive therapist by your side, you will have a safe, non-judgmental space to find your sense of self and purpose and gain the tools you need to fully embrace life.
What is EMDR?
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a type of therapy used to help people who have experienced traumatic events. During EMDR, a therapist guides the individual through a process that involves recalling distressing memories while also engaging in specific eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. This helps the brain reprocess these memories, making them less emotionally distressing and more manageable, ultimately reducing the impact of trauma on the person's life. EMDR is known for its effectiveness in treating conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other emotional difficulties stemming from trauma.
How do I know if I’ve experienced trauma?
It can be challenging for folks to identify with the word “trauma.” You might be able to see that you’ve been through something hard, but was it really “traumatic?” You might rationalize by thinking that other people have been through worse situations. You might tell yourself you should be able to cope with what you’ve been through.
In many ways, trauma is subjective. Trauma is a psychological and emotional response to highly distressing or harmful events. It could be from a one-time event, like a bad accident or from dealing with long-term, ongoing stress, like abuse or a difficult family situation. Some people might go through a lot when they're growing up, and that can stick with them as complex trauma. Any experience you’ve been through that caused distress, where you went without adequate support or had to respond beyond your developmental age can be considered traumatic.
When someone goes through a traumatic experience, it's not just an emotional response like sadness or fear. It can impact thoughts, leading to difficulties with concentration, memory, and intrusive thoughts. There are physical aspects too, like disruptions in sleep patterns, persistent fatigue, or even headaches. Coping with trauma is different for each person, and while some may find resilience on their own, others may benefit from support – be it from friends, family, or mental health professionals – to navigate and overcome the challenges associated with trauma.
If you are struggling because of something you’ve been through - that is enough. You deserve to heal.