Therapy for Birth Trauma

 You may notice:

• Feeling constantly on high alert.
• Feeling disconnected or emotionally numb.
• Nightmares or difficulty sleeping.
• Vivid flashbacks or intrusive memories.

These reactions can feel frightening and isolating.

 I provide a compassionate, safe space where you can begin processing your experience at your own pace.

 Therapy offers a private, supportive place to talk openly about thoughts and feelings you may not feel comfortable sharing elsewhere. 

Therapy may help you:

• Understand your triggers.
• Regulate your nervous system.
• Process traumatic memories.
•  Strengthen communication of needs. 

 EMDR is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain process distressing memories so they feel less emotionally charged.

Before beginning EMDR, we will:

• Discuss your concerns.
• Build coping resources.
• Decide together whether EMDR feels right for you.

EMDR does not require you to talk through every painful detail of your trauma. Instead, the goal is to reduce the emotional and physiological distress connected to your birth experience while helping you feel more grounded and supported.

Through EMDR therapy, it may be possible to:  

• Calm your nervous system — reduce panic responses so recalling your birthing experience feels less overwhelming.

• Shift negative beliefs — move from “I failed” or “I’m unsafe” to “My body did the best it could” or “I’m safe now”.

• Reduce avoidance — ease triggers related to medical environments, future pregnancies, or postpartum anxiety.

• Process sensory fragments — address distressing images, sensations, or moments from your birthing experience.

 We will begin by exploring what you’re experiencing and what you hope will feel different. 

Therapy may include:

• Education about trauma and the nervous system.
• Building coping strategies.
• Processing traumatic memories through EMDR. 
• Supportive therapy. 

We will move at a pace that feels manageable and tailor the approach to your needs.