EMDR for chronic pain & illness

The relationship between trauma and physical symptoms is real, documented, and still underrecognized in most clinical settings. Pain that doesn't have a clear structural explanation. Fatigue that doesn't respond to rest. Symptoms that worsen under stress in ways that feel disproportionate. A nervous system that seems to be running on a threat level that doesn't match your current circumstances.

These presentations sit at the intersection of psychology and medicine — and they require a therapist who can hold both.

What we work with

Chronic pain without a clear or complete medical explanation
Medical trauma — the psychological impact of diagnoses, procedures, hospitalizations
Illness adjustment — navigating the emotional weight of a serious or chronic condition
Trauma related to injury and the recovery process
Somatic symptoms that have been dismissed or left unexplained
The intersection of neurological conditions and trauma — including TBI and seizure disorders

How EMDR helps

Traumatic memories related to medical experiences — the diagnosis moment, a frightening procedure, the loss of your previous sense of your body — can be targeted and reprocessed with EMDR just like any other trauma. For chronic pain and somatic presentations, we bring a somatic awareness into the work, paying attention to where things live in the body and what shifts as processing occurs.

We also coordinate with medical providers when appropriate and with the client's consent. Your physical health and your mental health are not separate systems.

Our therapist, Joanna, has done additional training in EMDR protocols specific to pain and chronic health issues!

You don't have to choose between managing your medical condition and addressing the psychological impact of it. Both deserve attention.