Childhood Trauma

“Our brains are wired for connection, but trauma rewires them for protection. That’s why healthy relationships are difficult for wounded people”
— Ryan North

Childhood trauma refers to any significant distressing or disturbing experience a child goes through that overwhelms their ability to cope. This can include:

  • Abuse: Physical, emotional, or sexual harm inflicted on the child.

  • Neglect: Failure to provide for the child's basic needs.

  • Witnessing Violence: Observing acts of violence, whether in the home or community.

  • Accidents or Natural Disasters: Experiencing or witnessing severe accidents or natural catastrophes.

  • Loss: Death of a loved one or separation from primary caregivers.

  • Medical Issues: Severe illness or invasive medical procedures.

As a result of these experiences, we adapt to the environment and close down parts of ourselves in order to maintain the attachment. There are a variety of factors which can impact the child’s response to the trauma including but not limited to, developmental level, cultural factors, previous exposure, available resources, and preexisting family problems.

As a result of experiencing childhood trauma, the adaptations that once served us in childhood, are carried into adulthood. These adaptations may no longer be serving us. Some of these adaptations may look like:

  • Low self-esteem

  • Difficulty trusting others

  • Increased hypervigilance

  • Depression & anxiety

How can EMDR help?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is particularly effective for addressing childhood trauma in several ways:

  1. Processing Painful Memories: EMDR helps integrate and reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic childhood memories, such as abuse or neglect.

  2. Healing Attachment Wounds: It repairs attachment issues by reprocessing experiences that caused feelings of abandonment or insecurity, promoting healthier relationships.

  3. Desensitizing Triggers: EMDR reduces the impact of triggers related to childhood trauma, allowing individuals to respond more calmly to present situations.

  4. Reframing Negative Self-Beliefs: It helps replace negative beliefs formed in childhood, like "I am unlovable," with positive self-perceptions.

  5. Reducing PTSD Symptoms: EMDR is effective in alleviating PTSD symptoms, such as flashbacks and nightmares, resulting from childhood trauma.

  6. Improving Emotional Regulation: By processing traumatic memories, EMDR enhances the ability to manage emotions and develop better coping skills.

  7. Building Self-Worth: It fosters self-compassion and self-worth, empowering individuals to lead more fulfilling lives.

  8. Promoting Safety and Stability: EMDR helps individuals feel safer and more stable by resolving the impact of traumatic memories.

Overall, EMDR provides a comprehensive approach to healing childhood trauma, enabling individuals to achieve greater emotional balance and well-being.