DBT & EMDR for Trauma Therapy That Feels Safe
Why Trauma Therapy Can Feel Overwhelming
You may have experienced events that still interfere with your life today. Maybe a negative belief about yourself keeps showing up in your relationships — “I’m hard to love,” “I’m not good enough,” or “I can never measure up.” Perhaps past hurts from people who were supposed to protect you make it hard to trust, give, or receive love.
Some people know they are capable of so much more but keep themselves small, often tied to childhood experiences of staying invisible or feeling that attention was unsafe. Others were taught that having needs was wrong, or learned unhealthy ways to meet needs by watching manipulative or controlling behavior around them.
If any of this resonates, the thought of processing these experiences may feel overwhelming. Maybe you’ve tried before, and it made things worse.
When EMDR Alone Isn't Enough
Early in my career, I was trained in EMDR and saw incredible results. However, some clients came into therapy ready to do the work, but EMDR alone didn’t seem enough. Over time, I recognized a pattern: these individuals needed additional stability and coping skills to safely engage in trauma processing.
How DBT Enhances Trauma Work
After training in DBT, I integrated it into my trauma work. DBT provides the structure and skills many clients need to feel safe and stable while processing difficult experiences. Combining DBT with EMDR allows clients to move through trauma in a way that is trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming, and paced to their needs.
Moving from Surviving to Thriving
You’ve spent a lifetime surviving — this combination of DBT and EMDR has the potential to help you move from surviving to thriving. Contact me today to see if we’d be a good fit.