emdr trauma therapy

Trauma doesn't just exist in our brains. It lives in our emotional patterns and habitual nervous system responses. It endures through the negative beliefs we hold about ourselves. EMDR is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain and body reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer feel immediate, overwhelming, or highly charged. It works with all parts of the trauma response network (body, emotions, memory, belief, and body sensations) to support your underlying inclination toward healing. I define trauma as anything that is chronically activated in the nervous system — this includes a wide array of experiences, like complex PTSD, religious, medical, sexual, and relationship trauma, chronic unmet emotional or support needs, identity-based wounding and social rejection, and internalized shame. For folks with marginalized identities, it can help uproot and supplant internalized oppression (the -isms and -phobias instilled by cis-hetero-normative white supremacist power structures) and make space for radical self-compassion and acceptance. The beauty of this approach is that it doesn't hinge on verbally recounting the trauma narrative (though there is space for that for those who need it!), and resource-building is the foundation. We build skills and practices so you are confident in your ability to self-regulate before moving into traumatic content. Your needs and autonomy are our guideposts. The pace is yours to set, and every step is concrete, structured, and clear.