Attachment-Focused EMDR

Attachment-Focused EMDR

“Owning our story can be hard but nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on live and belonging and joy – the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”

— Brene Brown

Attachment-Focused EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic approach that combines the powerful techniques of EMDR with a focus on healing attachment wounds and relational trauma. It recognizes that early attachment experiences play a critical role in shaping our emotional and relational patterns throughout life. This approach helps individuals process past experiences that may have disrupted their ability to form secure attachments, enabling them to heal unresolved relational issues and develop healthier connections with others. By integrating eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, Attachment-Focused EMDR facilitates the reprocessing of traumatic memories and negative beliefs that affect emotional intimacy and relationship dynamics.

This specialized form of EMDR is particularly effective for those who have experienced relational trauma, such as childhood neglect, abandonment, or emotional injury. It creates a safe environment where clients can explore and resolve the underlying emotional and cognitive blocks that hinder healthy attachment. Through this process, individuals are able to shift from negative patterns of thinking, such as feeling unworthy of love or fearing rejection, toward more secure and adaptive ways of relating. Attachment-Focused EMDR fosters emotional resilience and supports individuals in building lasting, healthy relationships, both with themselves and others.