Trauma Blogs

Have you ever wondered why, no matter how much insight you gain in therapy, the same old patterns keep showing up in your relationships? Complex trauma comes from repeated emotional wounds, often in childhood- neglect, criticism, emotional unavailability. These early experiences wire the nervous system to expect danger or rejection, leaving deep scars that shape how you see yourself and others. Traditional talk therapy builds awareness, but awareness alone doesn't always heal. That's because trauma lives not only in your thoughts, but also in your body and nervous system. EMDR works directly with those deep, unprocessed experiences so you can finally move beyond old scripts and live with more freedom. You don't have to keep repeating the past. Healing is possible. You don't have to live in the shadow of your past. EMDR offers a path to healing that goes deeper than words. Let's start that journey together.

Do you ever feel like your body is stuck in the past-jumpy at loud noises, replaying the same memory, or feeling unsafe even when you know you're not in danger? Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is more than just a memory problem. It's your body and brain re-living trauma as if it's happening right now. Many people try to "just talk it out," but sometimes talking can make symptoms worse - the brain keeps getting pulled back into the painful memory without relief. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps by reprocessing the memory at a deeper level. Instead of reliving the trauma, your brain leans to file it in the right place, reducing its emotional intensity. Clients often describe it as: the memory is still there, but it no longer controls them. If you're tired of carrying the weight of the past, EMDR can help. Reach out to learn how we can start reprocessing those painful memories together.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a psychotherapy technique used to treat various mental health conditions, particularly those involving trauma, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. It’s based on the idea that traumatic memories are stored differently in the brain than regular memories. The core concept of EMDR is that these disturbing or distressing memories and experiences can become “stuck” in the brain. EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories more adaptively, reducing their emotional intensity and impact on the present. The therapist helps the client identify the specific traumatic event(s) that are causing distress. This involves thoroughly exploring the client’s experiences and feelings related to the trauma. During EMDR, the client focuses on a distressing image, thought, or feeling while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation. As the client attends to both the distressing image and the bilateral stimulation, they begin to re-experience the trauma-related memory. The therapy also takes account of the physical sensations, thoughts, and emotions connected to the memory. A key component of EMDR is not just focusing on the trauma, but also actively identifying and establishing positive or neutral feelings and beliefs. It’s important to note that EMDR is not a “quick fix.” It usually involves several sessions over some time. The exact number of sessions and specifics of each session vary depending on the individual client and the type of trauma involved. If considering EMDR therapy, it’s essential to find a qualified therapist with experience in trauma work and EMDR techniques. Contact a qualified mental health professional if you are someone you know is struggling with trauma.

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which one person causes another to question their own reality and perceptions of events. The gaslighter employs various tactics, such as denying the occurrence of specific events or insisting that the victim’s memory is inaccurate. They may trivialize the victim’s concerns with phrases like, “Why are you making such a big deal out of this?” or “It wasn’t anything serious.”