You can heal from trauma.
Providing EMDR therapy in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with secure online sessions available for clients in Ohio and Florida.
I provide online and in-person individual therapy specializing in trauma and complex trauma (C-PTSD), helping you process what’s holding you back so you can live more fully in the present—with presence, inner steadiness, and meaningful connection.
What is trauma?
Trauma is the emotional and physiological response to experiences that feel overwhelming, threatening, or too much to process at the time they occur. It can result from a single distressing event or from ongoing, repeated experiences that impact a person’s sense of safety, stability, or connection to others. Trauma is not defined only by what happened, but by how the nervous system was affected and whether the experience could be fully processed in the moment.
When trauma is not fully processed, it can show up later in life as anxiety, emotional reactivity, difficulty trusting others, feeling stuck in the past, or a sense of disconnection from oneself or others.
Types of trauma supported in EMDR therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement and Reprocessing) therapy is an evidence-based approach that helps the brain and nervous system process unresolved traumatic experiences so they no longer feel as emotionally overwhelming or present.
EMDR can be helpful for a wide range of trauma experiences, including:
Single-incident trauma (e.g., accidents, medical emergencies, assaults, natural disasters)
Complex trauma (C-PTSD) involving ongoing or repeated experiences such as childhood neglect, emotional abuse, or chronic relational stress
Attachment trauma related to early caregiving relationships and disruptions in safety, trust, or connection
Developmental trauma that occurs during formative years and impacts emotional development and identity
Relational and interpersonal trauma, including betrayal, toxic relationships, or narcissistic abuse
Medical or health-related trauma, including invasive procedures, chronic illness experiences, or medical emergencies
Grief and loss-related trauma when the loss feels overwhelming or unresolved
Trauma reflects the lasting impact of experiences that overwhelmed your ability to cope or feel safe, often remaining held in the nervous system long after the event has passed. EMDR therapy is an evidence-based approach that supports the brain’s natural capacity to reprocess these experiences so they no longer feel emotionally present or overwhelming. This work can be especially helpful for complex trauma (C-PTSD), childhood neglect or emotional abuse, attachment and relational trauma, and other experiences of overwhelming stress, supporting greater internal steadiness, ease, and connection in daily life.
How EMDR therapy works
EMDR therapy helps the brain reprocess memories that were not fully integrated at the time they occurred. When a distressing experience becomes “stuck,” it can continue to trigger emotional and physical reactions as if it is still happening in the present. Through structured attention to the memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, EMDR supports the nervous system in updating the experience so it is stored as part of the past rather than felt as ongoing. This often results in reduced emotional reactivity, new meaning-making, and greater internal stability.
EMDR is structured through eight phases that guide this process safely and effectively: the therapist first gathers history and develops a treatment plan, then focuses on preparation and stabilization skills. Specific memories are identified and activated, followed by reprocessing using bilateral stimulation. The work then strengthens adaptive beliefs, checks for residual body tension, and closes each session with grounding. Progress is reviewed in subsequent sessions to ensure lasting change and guide continued treatment..
EMDR therapy for trauma can help you…
EMDR therapy for trauma can help clients by:
Reducing the emotional intensity of distressing or traumatic memories
Helping the brain reprocess experiences that feel “stuck” or unresolved
Decreasing anxiety, emotional reactivity, and trauma-related triggers
Lessening intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or unwanted body sensations tied to past events
Supporting a greater sense of internal safety and emotional stability
Shifting negative beliefs formed through trauma (e.g., shame, fear, helplessness) into more adaptive and balanced perspectives
Strengthening resilience, self-trust, and present-moment awareness
Improving emotional regulation and stress tolerance
Enhancing connection in relationships and overall quality of life
Frequently asked questions about trauma therapy
FAQs
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EMDR therapy helps the brain heal from trauma by guiding clients to briefly focus on distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or tapping. This process supports the nervous system in reprocessing experiences that were not fully integrated, so they become less emotionally charged and no longer feel as if they are happening in the present. Over time, this allows traumatic memories to be stored in a more adaptive way, reducing triggers and emotional reactivity while strengthening a sense of stability, clarity, and present-moment connection.
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You may be experiencing trauma if past events continue to affect how you feel, think, or respond in the present, even when you want to move on. Common signs include feeling easily triggered or overwhelmed, having strong emotional reactions that seem out of proportion to current situations, avoiding certain people, places, or memories, or feeling numb, disconnected, or on edge. Trauma can also show up in the body through symptoms like tension, sleep difficulties, or chronic stress. You don’t need to have a single “major event” to experience trauma—what matters is whether your nervous system is still carrying the impact of experiences that felt overwhelming or unsafe at the time.
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Starting therapy is simple and begins with reaching out to schedule an initial consultation. In this first session, we’ll talk about what brings you in, what you’re hoping to work on, and whether we feel like a good fit to work together. If we decide to move forward, we’ll begin creating a personalized plan for therapy that supports your goals and pace. Sessions are available in-person in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as well as through secure telehealth for clients in Ohio and Florida.
Healing from trauma is possible, even if it hasn’t felt that way for a long time. You don’t have to keep carrying what happened alone, and you don’t have to keep reliving it in the present. With the right support, your mind and body can learn that the past is over—and you can begin to feel safer, more grounded, and more connected to your life again.