ATTACHMENT-FOCUSED
EMDR
Many of my clients come to therapy with complex histories & ancestral wounds that seem impossible to heal. As a trauma therapist with over 10 years of experience, I'm here to tell you it's possible. You deserve support and guidance as you process painful memories & experiences so that you can finally heal, feel grounded, self-assured, and more like YOU.
Attachment-Focused EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic approach I use that integrates the principles of attachment theory with the structured protocols of EMDR therapy. Developed by Dr. Laurel Parnell, this modality is tailored to meet the needs of clients with attachment wounds, traumas, and relational ruptures. Unlike traditional EMDR, which primarily focuses on desensitizing and reprocessing traumatic memories, Attachment-Focused EMDR places a significant emphasis on repairing attachment ruptures and fostering positive relational experiences both in therapy and out in the world.
AF-EMDR has a flexible, client-centered framework, adapting the standard EMDR protocols to be more relational and responsive to the client's needs. We incorporate additional elements of attunement, empathy, and interpersonal connection between the therapist and client for an enhanced therapeutic alliance that serves as a secure base for clients, enabling them to gently explore and heal from past traumas.
AF-EMDR is particularly effective for individuals who have experienced early relational traumas, neglect, or inconsistent caregiving, which can lead to complex trauma and attachment disorders. After treatment, clients report being able to achieve more stable and secure attachments in their relationships, improved self-esteem, and a deeper sense of emotional safety and resilience.
Attachment-Focused EMDR can be used for a myriad of different symptoms or traumatic memory processing, and can be used in conjunction with both Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) and traditional talk therapy.
“Why EMDR? EMDR works fast, is integrative, doesn’t necessitate prolonged exposure (which can be re-traumatizing), and requires no homework. It activates natural processing capacities of the brain that are frozen and deactivated by trauma. It re-establishes disrupted communication between the brain regions impacted by traumatic experience and enables the traumatized brain to heal.”
-Laurel Parnell
Common symptoms of trauma:
Chronic Anxiety
Inability to focus
Emotional dysregulation
Anger
Panic or Anxiety attacks
Difficulty in relationships
Hypervigilance
Flashbacks
Dissociation
Shame
Poor self-worth
Inability to trust yourself, your instincts, and the people around you
Types of trauma I specialize in:
Relational Trauma
Complex Trauma (CPTSD)
Developmental/ Childhood Trauma
Religious/Spiritual Trauma
Sexual Trauma
Birth Trauma
"Healing from trauma can also mean strength and joy. The goal of healing is not a papering-over of changes in an effort to preserve or present things as normal. It is to acknowledge and wear your new life - warts, wisdom, and all - with courage."
-Catherine Woodiwiss