EMDR That Goes Deeper
Attachment Focused EMDR heals not just what happened to you, but how it shaped who you became.
Book Your Free ConsultationYou may have heard of EMDR—it's become one of the most well-researched and effective treatments for trauma. But traditional EMDR was designed primarily for single-incident traumas: a car accident, an assault, a specific event with a clear beginning and end.
What about the traumas that didn't have a clear beginning? The ones that were woven into your daily life—the emotional neglect, the unpredictable parent, the subtle but pervasive message that you weren't enough? These relational and developmental traumas require a different approach.
That's where Attachment Focused EMDR comes in. Developed by Laurel Parnell, PhD, this approach adapts EMDR specifically for complex and developmental trauma, addressing the attachment wounds that shape how we relate to ourselves and others.
Is This You?
- Traditional talk therapy has helped you understand your patterns but not change them
- You know your childhood affects you but can't seem to 'just get over it'
- You struggle in relationships—with intimacy, trust, or boundaries
- You have a harsh inner critic that no amount of positive thinking silences
- You feel fundamentally flawed or unlovable, even when logic tells you otherwise
- You're exhausted from managing emotions that feel too big or too numb
If any of this sounds familiar, you're in the right place.
Let's TalkHow Attachment Focused EMDR Works
AF-EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements or tapping) to help your brain process traumatic material—but with crucial modifications for relational trauma:
- Resource Development: Before we process trauma, we build internal resources—imaginal nurturing figures, safe places, protective figures—that you may never have developed naturally
- Attachment Repair: We work directly with the wounded parts of you that formed in childhood, giving them what they needed but didn't receive
- Gentle Pacing: We don't flood your system. The work is titrated to keep you in your window of tolerance
- Integration: Processing isn't enough—we help you integrate new ways of relating to yourself and others
The result isn't just relief from symptoms. It's a fundamental shift in how you experience yourself, your relationships, and your capacity for connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is AF-EMDR different from regular EMDR?
What does a session look like?
Is EMDR the 'eye movement thing'?
Can I do EMDR online?
Ready to Begin?
Your first consultation is free. Let's see if we're a good fit.
Book Your Free Consultation