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Healing from Trauma with EMDR Therapy: A Powerful Approach for PTSD and CPTSD

If you or someone you love is struggling with the lasting impact of trauma, you may have heard of EMDR therapy—short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This innovative and evidence-based treatment is gaining widespread attention for its effectiveness in helping people heal from traumatic experiences, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD).

At NEUMA Psychological Services, Dr. Alicia Meyer specializes in trauma-informed care and offers EMDR therapy as a core component of treatment for individuals recovering from childhood trauma, emotional abuse, sexual assault, grief, and other deeply distressing life events.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy is a structured, eight-phase treatment that helps people reprocess traumatic memories so they are no longer psychologically disruptive. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has been extensively researched and is recommended by leading organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization for treating trauma and PTSD.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require clients to go into detail about the trauma itself. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones—to help the brain process stuck traumatic memories and integrate them into a healthier narrative.

What Makes EMDR Therapy Unique?

One of the biggest challenges of trauma recovery is that traumatic memories often remain "frozen" in the brain, creating intense emotional and physical responses even years later. This can lead to symptoms such as:

  • Flashbacks and nightmares

  • Anxiety and panic attacks

  • Hypervigilance and irritability

  • Emotional numbness or dissociation

  • Low self-esteem and self-blame

  • Chronic feelings of shame or guilt

EMDR therapy works by unlocking these stuck memories and allowing the brain to reprocess them in a way that reduces their emotional charge. Clients often find that distressing events lose their intensity and no longer feel overwhelming.

EMDR Therapy Can Help With:

  • PTSD and CPTSD

  • Childhood trauma and attachment wounds

  • Sexual abuse and assault

  • Accidents and medical trauma

  • Grief and complicated loss

  • Domestic violence and emotional abuse

  • Anxiety, depression, and panic disorders related to trauma

  • First responder and military trauma

Whether you experienced a single traumatic event or a pattern of ongoing emotional harm, EMDR therapy offers a path forward.

EMDR for Complex Trauma (CPTSD)

For those with complex PTSD (CPTSD)—often rooted in childhood neglect, abandonment, or long-term abuse—EMDR therapy offers a compassionate and comprehensive approach. When combined with a safe therapeutic relationship and a trauma-informed framework, EMDR can help individuals:

  • Rebuild a sense of self-worth

  • Heal emotional triggers and flashbacks

  • Develop healthier boundaries and relationships

  • Reduce shame and inner critical voices

  • Increase resilience and post-traumatic growth

What to Expect in EMDR Sessions

EMDR therapy begins with a thorough assessment and the development of emotional safety tools such as grounding, visualization, and mindfulness. Once you're ready, your therapist will guide you through reprocessing specific memories using bilateral stimulation techniques.

Sessions are paced according to your comfort and readiness. The goal is not to relive trauma but to transform how it lives in your body and mind.

Many clients report significant progress in fewer sessions than traditional talk therapy, making EMDR a powerful option for those ready to heal.

Why Choose NEUMA Psychological Services for Trauma Therapy?

Dr. Alicia Meyer is trained in EMDR therapy. Whether you’re in Milwaukee or anywhere in Wisconsin via telehealth, she’s here to walk with you on your healing journey.

Zach Meyer