When talk therapy isn’t enough, EMDR offers another way.
EMDR therapy in California
You’re ready to heal- not just cope.
Motherhood can stir up old wounds, whether from your own childhood, a difficult birth, or the pressure to be everything for everyone. You may find yourself reacting in ways that don’t make sense, feeling stuck in survival mode, or carrying emotions that seem too big for the moment. That’s not a failure on your part- it’s a sign that there’s unprocessed pain beneath the surface.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps your brain and body process trauma, without having to retell every painful detail. It works by targeting the emotional memory stored in your nervous system, so those triggers lose their intensity. Many moms find EMDR helps them feel more grounded, emotionally steady, and able to respond rather than react.
You’ve likely learned how to push through and hold it all together. But healing isn’t about holding more- it’s about letting go of what was never yours to carry. EMDR therapy can help you move beyond coping and step into a version of motherhood that feels more connected, calm, and aligned with who you truly are.
EMDR therapy can help you release old patterns and respond with more calm and clarity
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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps your brain process and release distressing memories that are still “stuck” in your nervous system. When something traumatic or overwhelming happens (whether in childhood, birth, or daily motherhood) your brain sometimes can’t fully process it, and the emotional charge stays stored. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (like guided eye movements or tapping) while you recall specific memories in a safe, structured way, allowing your brain to reprocess the experience and reduce its intensity. It’s a way to move trauma through, not just talk about it.
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We’ll start by building safety and trust before we ever touch a painful memory. You’ll learn calming tools, grounding strategies, and resourcing techniques (like the Calm Place and Container exercises) to support you. When you’re ready, we’ll identify memories or patterns that feel stuck and use bilateral stimulation to gently reprocess them. You’re in control every step of the way- there’s no pressure to share details unless you want to. Sessions are paced with care, and we’ll always prioritize your emotional safety.
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EMDR can help you feel more calm, confident, and connected- not only as a mom, but as a whole person. It reduces emotional reactivity, softens triggers, and helps you let go of beliefs like “I’m not good enough” or “I’m failing.” Many moms find they respond to stress with more ease, feel less overwhelmed, and finally start to feel at peace in their body and mind. It’s a powerful way to heal deeply, so you’re no longer stuck in survival mode.
There’s a way to feel calm, connected, and more in control.
You don’t have to carry old wounds into motherhood.
Is EMDR right for you?
EMDR is a good fit for you if you…
Feel stuck in patterns you can’t seem to break, no matter how much you talk about them.
Experience anxiety, triggers, or emotional reactions that seem bigger than the moment.
Avoid thinking about certain memories because they feel too overwhelming or painful.
Struggle with self-worth, perfectionism, or a harsh inner critic rooted in past experiences.
Want a deeper, body-based approach to healing- not just more coping tools.
a powerful way to heal what’s been holding you back
With EMDR, you can…
Heal from the past without having to relive every painful detail. It helps you release the shame, fear, and old beliefs that no longer serve you- so you can respond to life with more calm, clarity, and confidence. EMDR makes it possible to feel present in your body, your relationships, and your motherhood again. It’s about reclaiming your sense of self, safety, and strength, one step at a time.
Let’s release what’s been holding your back.
Questions?
FAQs
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Yes! EMDR is highly effective for processing birth trauma, medical trauma, and the emotional overwhelm that can come in the postpartum period. It helps you reprocess distressing experiences so they no longer feel so raw or triggering. Many moms find they’re able to feel more connected to themselves, their baby, and the present moment after EMDR.
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That’s totally okay. EMDR doesn’t require you to have a clear or detailed memory of what happened. We can work with images, body sensations, emotions, or beliefs that are showing up now. The therapy meets you exactly where you are and your brain will guide the healing process in a way that makes sense for you.
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That’s a common concern, and we’ll go slowly. Before we begin reprocessing, we’ll spend time building emotional resources and grounding techniques so that you feel safe and supported. You’ll always be in control of the pace, and we’ll pause or adjust anytime you need
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You don’t need a single, life-threatening event to benefit from trauma therapy or EMDR. Many people carry what’s called “small-t” trauma like emotional neglect, constant criticism, parentification, or growing up without feeling safe or seen. These experiences can lead to anxiety, people-pleasing, self-doubt, or reactivity in adulthood. If you feel stuck in patterns that don’t align with who you want to be, that’s reason enough to seek support. EMDR can help you shift those patterns and reconnect with the parts of you that were left behind.
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Every person’s healing process is different. Some people begin noticing shifts after just a few sessions of reprocessing, while others may need more time for safety and stabilization first. EMDR is designed to create lasting change- not just surface-level relief. Most importantly, we’ll move at a pace that supports your healing, not rush it.
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EMDR is a powerful tool, but like all therapies, it’s not the perfect fit for everyone. If you’re currently in a crisis or don’t yet have the internal resources to tolerate strong emotions, we may need to focus on stabilization first before beginning EMDR. It’s also not ideal for those who are unwilling or unable to explore emotional material, even gently. That said, EMDR is highly adaptable, and part of our work together will be figuring out what feels supportive and safe for you. We’ll move at your pace- and if EMDR isn’t the right tool right now, there are still many ways we can support your healing.
Schedule a consult
Schedule a consult