EMDR Therapy Phoenix: Trauma Healing for Anxious High-Achievers

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It could be my profession as an EMDR therapy provider in Phoenix and the people I am surrounded by, but more and more often, I hear people talking about their healing journey in a beautifully open manner. Even in our fast-paced world, we are becoming fascinated by turning inward, if only temporarily. We love personality tests and trying to understand why we do what we do. What can be difficult in this era of self-awareness is that any healing journey has its ups and downs, pulling us off track or creating the feeling that healing is unreachable as we look through those rose-colored glasses. 

I hear this question often enough that I feel it is high time I created a blog about it—Is healing possible? I hear this question most often echoed when people are considering therapy or, as we start the first few sessions of EMDR therapy, wondering what goals they may be able to achieve and what's possible. 

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I will give this disclaimer: Of all the individuals I have done EMDR therapy with, no one has ever walked out of the therapy room and felt like life is all rainbows and butterflies, entirely perfect and devoid of a hard day. Healing doesn't necessarily mean that you will never have a bad day, won't break down and cry again, or that the rage or anxiety monster won't sometimes creep up on you. It can mean you no longer feel haunted by the past, both day and night. It can mean feeling more at home in your body and finding new ways to take care of yourself genuinely. It can mean setting firm boundaries with loved ones or asking for help, where your traumatic experiences told you not to before. I emphasize the word can here, as everyone is different, which we'll cover in a few paragraphs. 

With this knowledge in mind, I want to approach this question as it relates to anxious over-achievers who have experienced trauma in the form of sexual abuse. In a world that often glorifies achievement and success, it can be challenging for high-achieving people to acknowledge and address the trauma they've experienced, especially when it comes to the deeply personal and often stigmatized issue of sexual abuse. However, healing and moving forward is possible and essential for reclaiming one's sense of self, strength, and resilience. In this blog, we'll explore the journey of healing from trauma for high-achieving, anxious people, addressing common concerns such as what healing looks like, how to find the right provider, what to do when faced with challenges, and how EMDR Therapy in Phoenix may be able to help.

Understanding the Journey of Healing from Trauma

This is one of the most critical and underrated bits of information, and it can easily get lost in translation in the wellness community. Most often (even if we're getting better about it), social media typically portrays people living "perfect," or at least close to seemingly perfect lives; what it's like to be working towards healing from trauma is not often talked about or really grappled with in the most open ways. So here are a couple of things I have picked up in my time as a trauma therapist and a human being healing in my journey. 

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Healing from trauma is a complex and multifaceted process that involves addressing both the emotional and physiological effects of past experiences. I will start by saying that this often is not fun - but is so needed. It's like taking out the garbage; if you don't, it starts to stink. In my experience, no matter how logical the person is, when we've experienced trauma, we still need an outlet for our emotions, a place to cry, be angry, feel anxious, learn safety, and reconnect to the body itself. From week to week, even with EMDR therapy, therapy can look different; life, goals, and needs can look different. But it's always work. Some days, the work will feel lighter and refreshing, but in my experience, it's a give and take. 

It's essential to recognize that healing is not linear; it involves ups and downs, setbacks, and breakthroughs. Patience and self-compassion are crucial. This can be a tough one. I have said the words, "What?! I thought I made it through this stuff?" When a new layer emerges and throws me back. What I've come to realize, though, is that it's not really throwing me completely back, not to where I was when I started; I have different tools now, new perspectives, and shifts that have happened with the work I've done, so while things might set you back, you're never where you started in your healing journey. So take a breath, practice listening to your body, lean on your supports, and know that even though the road may twist and turn, you're never starting over at the beginning. 

Healing often begins with acknowledging the trauma and its impact, then processing the associated emotions and gradually integrating the experience into one's narrative to foster empowerment and resilience. I have the honor of seeing this as I do EMDR therapy with individuals and even as I have experienced it myself. It's incredible how we can reprocess the old, stuck stuff, reach the more true perspective, and feel empowered. 

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What Can Healing Actually Look Like?

Healing looks different for everyone (surprise!), as it depends on the person, their support system, when the trauma happened, the resources and coping skills available to them, the nature of the trauma, and that person's goals. There is no blanket answer or one-size-fits-all. 

For high-achieving anxious people, what I have found is that healing may involve learning to prioritize self-care and set boundaries, challenging perfectionistic tendencies, and developing healthier coping strategies for managing stress and anxiety. It can also look like knowing that they deserve respect, love, rest, and all of the things they crave. And making peace with the younger versions of themselves who did the best they could and finding ways to move forward that feel authentic and empowering. 

I often hear, "I don't even know what I'm feeling in my body" from clients. Usually, this is because trauma survivors, as a defense mechanism, tune out of their bodies. It can be a way of coping with the trauma itself or the aftermath of the trauma. In either case, it's the way to feel safer. But after the trauma is over and as a person is trying to heal, reintegrating with the body is a necessary and beautiful component. It may also involve reconnecting with one's body through yoga, mindfulness, or somatic experiencing, which can help release stored trauma and foster a sense of safety and grounding. 

Finding the Right Provider and Navigating Challenges

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This can be tough but can alter the healing journey in my own experience. Finding a therapist or provider who specializes in trauma and understands the unique needs of someone who struggles as an over-achiever with anxiety is essential for effective healing. But finding the right provider for you, with that skill set, can help you shift through walls you didn't know you needed to. 

Start by researching therapists in your area who have experience working with trauma survivors and offer evidence-based modalities such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy, somatic therapy, or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Trust your intuition, and take the time to schedule initial consultations with potential providers to determine whether you click with one another and if they work in a way that aligns with your goals. Be bold and ask them questions to help you decide if they are the right provider. 

Despite efforts to find the right provider, challenges may arise, such as providers needing to return calls, long waitlists for appointments, or lack of insurance coverage. To deal with these challenges, I suggest becoming familiar with your insurance coverage and your budget for your mental health. What could you sacrifice to afford therapy if that's a possible option? You may get reimbursement from your insurance if you're willing and able to pay cash upfront for treatment. The point is that there are options; don't let these challenges stop you from finding the guidance in the healing journey you seek. 

If you have difficulty accessing care, don't hesitate to contact other resources, such as support groups, online forums, or helplines, for guidance and support. Advocating for yourself and seeking the help you deserve is important. Don't let setbacks deter you from your journey toward healing.

How EMDR Therapy Phoenix Can Help

In EMDR therapy, healing from trauma is approached through the emotional and physiological lens of past experiences. This therapeutic modality offers a structured framework for individuals to explore and reprocess traumatic memories in a safe and supportive environment. By engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, clients can access and process distressing memories more effectively, allowing for integrating new insights and perspectives in a way that they can also embrace safety and grounding.

Clients are guided through a series of steps that help them identify and target specific traumatic memories or negative beliefs associated with those experiences. Through guided bilateral stimulation, clients can access and process these memories in a way that promotes adaptive resolution and healing. This process often involves shifting from a state of distress and dysregulation to a state of calm and insight, enabling clients to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and develop new coping strategies.

One of the unique aspects of EMDR therapy is its focus on the adaptive processing of traumatic memories. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which may primarily focus on verbal processing, EMDR therapy incorporates sensory stimulation to facilitate the reprocessing of memories on a deeper level. This allows clients to access and process traumatic memories more fully, leading to a more comprehensive and lasting resolution of symptoms.

As clients progress through the phases of EMDR therapy, they often experience a reduction in symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. They may also develop greater self-awareness, resilience, and empowerment. By addressing the underlying beliefs and emotions associated with traumatic experiences, clients can begin to cultivate a more positive self-concept and outlook on life. Overall, EMDR therapy offers a unique and effective approach to healing from trauma by addressing the underlying neural networks that contribute to symptoms of distress.

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If you’re looking for an EMDR therapy provider in Phoenix, I encourage you to schedule a free consultation and see if I’m a good fit.

Healing from trauma is a courageous and transformative journey, especially for high-achieving, anxious people who may struggle with perfectionism and self-doubt. By acknowledging the impact of past experiences, prioritizing self-care, and finding the proper support, healing becomes possible and achievable, even if it may not look like all rainbows and butterflies in the end. Remember, you deserve healing. The journey may be difficult, but you deserve to work towards your goals and find the life you crave. 

My Specialties Include EMDR Therapy, EMDR Therapy Intensives, Anxiety, Sexual Abuse, and Cycles of Family Trauma.