THERAPY SERVICES

EMDR Therapy for Childhood & Relational Trauma

Childhood experiences don’t stay in childhood. 

Sometimes people tell themselves, “Nothing that bad happened.” or “Other people had it worse.” 

Yet they still struggle with:

  • Anxiety 

  • Perfectionism 

  • Fear of failure 

  • People pleasing 

  • Hyper-independence 

  • Emotional shutdown 

  • Difficulty trusting others 

Often these patterns began long before adulthood.

What is Childhood Relational Trauma?

Relational trauma happens when the people we depend on for emotional safety couldn’t consistently provide it. It wasn’t just about what happened to you but also about what didn’t happen for you. When parents or caregivers struggle with limited resources, health, and/or mental health issues it makes it difficult for them to be emotionally present, attuned, or provide proper guidance. (Duton, Schudder, & Brandon, 2006).  

In adult relationships this can make it difficult to form secure attachments leading to difficulty with trust, high rates of relationship instability, difficulty with closeness and connection.  

This doesn’t always involve abuse.

It may look like:

  • Emotional neglect 

  • Parentification-A child who takes on adult roles and is responsible to care for the emotional needs of parents/caregivers 

  • Unpredictable caregivers 

  • Criticism 

  • Growing up too quickly 

  • Never feeling good enough 

  • Always needing to earn love 

How EMDR Therapy Helps

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) was founded by Francine Shapiro in 1987 after discovering that bilateral eye movements could reduce emotional intensity while recalling distressing thoughts or memories. It is a highly researched and preferred treatment for trauma and PTSD by worldwide organizations such as World Health Organization (WHO), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

EMDR helps your brain process experiences that still feel emotionally “stuck.” 

Instead of simply talking about trauma, EMDR helps your nervous system update old experiences so they no longer trigger the same emotional intensity in the present.  

For ongoing stressful events or critical incidents, EMDR may focus on processing a specific part of the incident that activates your nervous system even if safety is not fully restored. You don’t have to shift your perspective on the situation or control your emotions but rather help to ease the constant re-experiencing of the distressing event.  

Many clients notice:

  • Less urge to avoid emotions 

  • Decreased nightmares 

  • Decreased shame or guilt 

  • Experiencing difficult emotions without feeling overwhelmed 

  • Increased connection with self and others 

“Pies, para que los quiero si tengo alas para volar?”

- Frida Kahlo 

Therapy for First-Generation Latine/Latinx & BIPOC Adults

Growing up first-generation often means carrying responsibilities and invisible wounds that others don’t see. 

Maybe you were: 

  • the eldest daughter/eldest child 

  • the responsible one 

  • the emotional caretaker 

  • the peacemaker 

Those experiences shape how you relate to yourself and others.

Many first-generation and BIPOC folks struggle with:

  • Guilt/Shame related to mixed status or bicultural issues 

  • Anxiety about family safety 

  • Feeling responsible for everyone 

  •  Lack of sense of belonging- “I’m not from here or from there.” “No soy ni de aquí, ni de allá.”

  • Being under-resourced 

  • Burnout 

  • Fear of disappointing family  

Therapy Can Help You

  • Understand your early caregiving experiences and relational patterns 

  • Learn about how trauma related to cultural experiences affects how you respond in your nervous system 

  • Reprocess cultural shame 

  • Reduce internal conflict between your roles and being your authentic self 

Our work together is about helping you to integrate your story into an identity of strength and resilience. 

Therapy in English/Spanish or Spanglish 

Sometimes the words that matter most exist in only one language. Whether you prefer English, Spanish, or move naturally between both, therapy should meet you where you are.  

Ya sea que prefieras inglés, español, o tengas la facilidad de lenguaje con naturalidad entre ambos, la terapia debe encontrarte justo donde estás. 

Why Language Matters - Es Importante Expresarte En Tu Idioma

Trauma isn’t only stored in memories. Los traumas no se almacenan solamente en la memoria.

It’s connected to culture. Esta conectado a la cultura.  

  • Family. -La Familia 

  • Identity.- Identidad 

  • Migration.- Migración 

  • Belonging.- Sentido de comunidad y ser aceptado 

  • Grief.- El duelo 

Being able to express those experiences in Espanol, English or Spanglish- whatever feels most natural can deepen the therapeutic process. (Meta-analysis Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training (Vol. 43, No. 4). 

Areas We Can Explore

  • Unlearning beliefs like “Calladitx te ves mas bonitx” 

  • Unlearning the shame and stigma about seeking mental health services 

  • Learning to identify feeling language that can only be expressed in Spanish/Spanglish like coraje, angustia, susto

  • Better understanding the meaning of being strong. “Que significa para ti ser fuerte?”

  • Honoring your unique Cultura, identity, idioms, and colloquialisms or dichos

You Don’t Have to Explain Your Culture First

Many of my clients appreciate working with someone who understands the nuances of being first-generation, balancing multiple cultures, and navigating family expectations. 

Our work can begin where you are—not with having to educate your therapist about your lived experience. 

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Therapy for Anxious High Achievers & Perfectionists

You’re Successful—but Always Exhausted 

People may describe you as:

  • Successful 

  • Responsible 

  • Reliable

But inside you might constantly wonder:

“What if I’m not good enough?”  

“Why am I so hard on myself even when I’m successful?” 

Anxiety Doesn’t Always Look Like Panic 

Sometimes anxiety looks like: 

  • Overthinking 

  • Perfectionism 

  • Procrastination 

  • Burnout 

  • Never resting 

  • Overworking 

  • People pleasing 

  • Difficulty making decisions 

Why This Happens

Many high achievers learned early that love, safety, or approval depended on performance. That belief often follows us into adulthood. Unresolved issues of the need to matter or to feel worthy, can negatively affect a person’s mental health. You don’t have to give up your passion for excellence. You can still be the high achiever who does meaningful work without burning out. 

Therapy Can Help You:

  • Understand the beliefs that may reinforce chronic over functioning  

  • Learn to rest without guilt 

  • Accept mistakes without spiraling 

  • Feel confident without constantly proving yourself

Want to learn more?

Click here to schedule an intro call.