What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps people process and heal from trauma, distressing memories, and deeply rooted emotional pain. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require you to relive every painful detail of your past. Instead, it works by helping your brain reprocess traumatic experiences in a way that reduces their emotional charge, so they no longer feel overwhelming or intrusive.

How Does EMDR Work?

When we experience trauma, our brain can get stuck in “survival mode.” Instead of processing the experience and filing it away like a normal memory, the trauma remains unresolved, showing up in the form of flashbacks, anxiety, emotional numbness, or patterns of fear and self-protection.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—which can include guided eye movements, gentle tapping, or sound—to help both sides of your brain communicate more effectively. This allows your brain to reprocess traumatic memories, moving them from a place of emotional distress to a place of understanding and resolution.

How EMDR Heals Trauma

Reduces the Intensity of Painful Memories – EMDR helps shift traumatic memories from feeling overwhelming to feeling like just another part of your past, no longer carrying the same emotional weight.

Releases Stored Trauma from the Body – Because trauma is not just in the mind but also in the body, EMDR helps ease physical tension, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness.

Rewires Negative Beliefs – Many people hold onto beliefs formed by trauma, such as “I’m not safe,” “I’m not enough,” or “It was my fault.” EMDR helps replace these with more self-compassionate, empowering perspectives.

Reduces Triggers & Emotional Reactivity – EMDR allows your nervous system to become less reactive, so you no longer feel flooded by fear, shame, or anxiety when something reminds you of past trauma.

Restores a Sense of Control & Wholeness – By healing the past, EMDR helps you feel more present, confident, and connected to yourself in a way that feels safe and empowered.

What Does EMDR Feel Like?

Each person’s experience with EMDR is unique, but many describe it as:

• A gradual release of emotional weight—as if the trauma is being processed in a way that finally makes sense.

• A shift in perspective—memories that once felt overwhelming start to lose their grip.

• A deep sense of relief and closure—as though the past no longer controls the present.

• A body-based sense of calm—as stored tension, anxiety, and hypervigilance begin to ease.

While EMDR can bring up intense emotions during sessions, it is always done at a pace that feels safe and supported. The goal is not to relive trauma, but to release it so you can move forward with more ease and self-trust.

Is EMDR Right for You?

EMDR is highly effective for people struggling with:

PTSD and Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

Childhood trauma, neglect, or abuse

Sexual assault and relationship trauma

Anxiety, panic, and emotional dysregulation

Feeling stuck in negative beliefs or self-doubt

Patterns of avoidance, dissociation, or emotional numbness

What is the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM)?

The Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM) is a somatic therapy approach designed to help your nervous system recover from trauma and stress. Rather than focusing on talking through painful memories, TRM teaches you how to recognize and shift your body’s responses to distress, bringing a greater sense of calm, balance, and control.

Trauma can leave the nervous system stuck in survival mode—either feeling on edge and overwhelmed (fight-or-flight) or numb and disconnected (freeze/shutdown). TRM works by helping you tune into your body’s sensations, so you can notice when you feel safe and regulated and learn to return to that state more easily.

How Does TRM Work?

TRM teaches simple but powerful somatic skills that help regulate your nervous system. These skills allow you to recognize and shift out of survival responses, even without having to revisit the traumatic event itself.

Here’s how TRM supports healing:

✔ Tracking Sensations – Learning to notice what’s happening in your body in the present moment, rather than being overwhelmed by emotions or thoughts.

✔ Resourcing – Identifying positive sensations connected to calming experiences, people, or memories to create a sense of inner safety.

✔ Grounding – Using your five senses to stay connected to the present moment, reducing feelings of dissociation, panic, or overwhelm.

✔ Titration – Gently processing small pieces of distress at a time, preventing emotional flooding and making healing more manageable.

✔ Pendulation – Moving between comfort and discomfort in a controlled way, teaching your nervous system how to recover from stress more effectively.

Who Can Benefit from TRM?

TRM is helpful for anyone experiencing the effects of trauma, stress, or emotional dysregulation. It’s especially effective for:

- Survivors of childhood trauma, sexual assault, or domestic violence
- Individuals experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, or PTSD
- Those feeling disconnected from their bodies or emotions
- Anyone wanting to build emotional resilience and inner safety

Unlike traditional therapy, you don’t have to relive or talk about your trauma for TRM to work. Instead, it teaches you how to work with your body’s natural rhythms, so you can feel more grounded, in control, and at peace.

What is Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and How Can It Help Heal Trauma?

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals recover from the effects of trauma. TF-CBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with trauma-sensitive approaches to help individuals process painful experiences, manage distressing emotions, and develop healthier ways of thinking and coping.

How Does TF-CBT Work?

TF-CBT helps individuals understand how trauma affects their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns, clients can reduce anxiety, fear, and emotional distress.

✔ Processing Traumatic Memories – Safely exploring past experiences to reduce their emotional charge.

✔ Developing Coping Skills – Learning tools to manage anxiety, fear, and emotional triggers.

✔ Reframing Negative Thoughts – Changing self-blame, shame, or fear-based thinking into more balanced perspectives.

✔ Emotional Regulation – Strengthening skills to manage overwhelming feelings and reactions.

✔ Strengthening Resilience – Building confidence and self-compassion to move forward with a sense of empowerment.

Who Can Benefit from TF-CBT?

TF-CBT is highly effective for individuals who have experienced trauma, It is especially helpful for those who have experienced:

✔ Childhood trauma, abuse, or neglect.

✔ Sexual assault or domestic violence.

✔ Loss of a loved one or traumatic grief.

✔ Exposure to violence, accidents, or medical trauma.

✔ Ongoing fear, anxiety, or emotional dysregulation linked to past experiences.

TF-CBT helps individuals not only process trauma but also develop lifelong skills for emotional well-being. It provides a structured, supportive environment where healing can take place in a way that feels safe and empowering.

What is Parts Work (Ego State Therapy) and How Can It Help Heal Trauma?

Parts Work, also known as Ego State Therapy, is a powerful approach that helps people understand and heal different “parts” of themselves. These parts develop throughout life, often as a way to cope with difficult experiences, including trauma.

Sometimes, we may notice conflicting emotions—one part of us feels strong, while another part feels stuck in fear. One part might crave connection, while another part avoids closeness to stay safe. Parts Work helps us understand and bring healing to these inner experiences so we can feel more whole, balanced, and at peace.

How Does Parts Work Heal Trauma?

When we experience trauma, different parts of us may take on specific roles to protect us. For example:

✔ A Protector Part might help us stay busy, avoid emotions, or always be “in control.”

✔ A Wounded Part might carry sadness, fear, or shame from the past.

✔ A Critical Part might judge us harshly, thinking it’s keeping us safe from failure or rejection.

These parts often work hard to protect us, but sometimes they get stuck in old patterns that no longer serve us. Parts Work helps us recognize, understand, and support these parts so they no longer have to carry their burdens alone.

What Can Parts Work Help With?

✔ Understanding Inner Conflicts – Learning why some parts want to move forward while others hold back.

✔ Healing Wounded Parts – Offering love and safety to the parts that carry fear, pain, or trauma.

✔ Soothing the Inner Critic – Shifting from self-judgment to self-compassion.

✔ Feeling More Whole – Helping all parts of you work together, rather than against each other.

Who Can Benefit from Parts Work?

Anyone struggling with trauma, anxiety, self-doubt, or emotional overwhelm can benefit from Parts Work. It’s especially helpful for those who feel:

✔ Stuck in old emotional patterns that don’t make sense.

✔ Conflicted about decisions or relationships.

✔ Disconnected from themselves or their emotions.

✔ Overwhelmed by past trauma that still feels present.

Through Parts Work, you can develop a strong, compassionate connection with yourself, allowing healing and transformation from the inside out.