Incorporating EMDR in the Perinatal Period: Healing Through Mind and Body
The perinatal period—the time during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum—is one of the most profound transitions in a person’s life. While it can bring immense joy, it can also surface past traumas, fears, and overwhelming emotions. As a perinatal therapist, I recognize how deeply our nervous system holds onto these experiences, which is why I am excited to now offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as part of my practice. Currently undergoing EMDR training, I am integrating this powerful modality into my work with clients navigating pregnancy, birth trauma, perinatal loss, and postpartum challenges.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR is a structured therapy that helps people process distressing memories, rewire unhelpful thought patterns, and regulate their nervous systems. Originally developed to treat PTSD, EMDR is increasingly recognized as an effective approach for perinatal mental health, helping parents work through:
Birth trauma (e.g., unexpected medical interventions, loss of control)
Fear and anxiety around pregnancy, birth, and parenting
Perinatal loss and grief
Medical trauma from fertility treatments, miscarriage, or complications
Postpartum mood disorders (e.g., anxiety, OCD, depression)
Why EMDR During the Perinatal Period?
Traditional talk therapy is valuable, but it doesn’t always address the way trauma is stored in the body. Many birthing parents experience trauma not just cognitively but somatically—felt in the body through tension, numbness, or dysregulation. EMDR helps integrate these experiences, reducing emotional reactivity and allowing parents to feel safer and more present in their journey.
By using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds), EMDR helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they no longer feel as overwhelming. This means that instead of being triggered by a certain smell, a hospital setting, or a crying baby, the nervous system can learn to respond with more calm and resilience.
How I’m Integrating EMDR Into My Practice
As I complete my EMDR training, I am already incorporating foundational EMDR techniques with my clients in a way that feels safe, grounding, and accessible. Some of the ways I use EMDR in perinatal therapy include:
✔ Resource-building – Strengthening inner resilience by developing calming, supportive imagery and grounding techniques.
✔ Processing difficult experiences – Helping clients reprocess distressing memories so they feel less overwhelming in the present.
✔ Nervous system regulation – Combining EMDR with somatic practices to support the body’s healing process.
What This Means for You
If you are struggling with the emotional impact of birth, loss, or postpartum challenges, EMDR may be a transformative tool in your healing process. Whether you are looking for support in preparing for birth or processing past experiences, I am here to help.
If you’re interested in learning more or scheduling a session, feel free to reach out. You don’t have to carry these experiences alone—healing is possible, and I’d love to support you on that journey.
