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Attachment-Focused EMDR: A Path to Healing Deep Emotional Wounds

What is Attachment Theory?

Attachment theory, originally developed by John Bowlby, suggests that the bonds we form with our caregivers in early life significantly shape how we relate to others as adults. Secure attachments provide a foundation for healthy emotional development, while insecure or disrupted attachments can lead to long-term emotional challenges. Individuals with attachment trauma often struggle with trust, intimacy, and emotional regulation in their adult relationships. This is where Attachment-Focused EMDR can offer support.

How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR therapy is a structured process that helps individuals reprocess traumatic memories and experiences. It involves eight phases, including history-taking, preparation, and the use of bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping) to help the brain process and integrate traumatic memories in a healthier way. The goal of EMDR is to reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories, allowing individuals to move forward without being overwhelmed by the past.

In the context of Attachment-Focused EMDR, therapists pay special attention to early attachment experiences and how they impact present-day behaviors and relationships. By addressing both the trauma and attachment wounds, this therapy aims to create lasting emotional healing.

Who Can Benefit from Attachement-Focused EMDR?

Attachment-Focused EMDR is particularly effective for individuals who have experienced relational trauma, such as neglect, abandonment, or emotional abuse. It can also benefit people who struggle with:

  1. Chronic anxiety or depression related to attachment wounds.
  2. Difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships.
  3. Trust issues or fear of intimacy.
  4. Emotional dysregulation or difficulty managing emotions.
  5. Patterns of attachment styles, such as anxious or avoidant attachment.

 

This therapy is especially useful for those who find that their early attachment experiences continue to influence their adult relationships, often leading to recurring emotional pain or dysfunctional relationship patterns.

The Process of Attachment-Focused EMDR

The process of Attachment-Focused EMDR typically begins with a thorough exploration of the client’s attachment history. This includes understanding the individual’s early relationships with caregivers and identifying any attachment disruptions or traumas. Once these areas are identified, the therapist will guide the individual through the standard EMDR protocol, while incorporating specific techniques to address attachment-related issues.

Bilateral stimulation is used during sessions to help reprocess painful memories and rewire the brain’s emotional responses. Over time, individuals become less reactive to triggers that remind them of past attachment wounds, and they develop healthier ways of relating to others.

Benefits of Attachment-Focused EMDR

  1. Healing Early Attachment Wounds: One of the primary benefits of Attachment-Focused EMDR is the ability to heal deep emotional scars left by early attachment disruptions. By working through these traumas, individuals can form healthier, more secure attachments in their adult lives.
  2. Improved Relationships: As attachment wounds heal, individuals often find that their relationships improve. They may become more trusting, emotionally available, and capable of forming deeper connections with others.
  3. Emotional Regulation: Attachment-Focused EMDR helps individuals gain better control over their emotions. By processing and reprocessing painful memories, they become less prone to emotional outbursts or shutdowns when faced with relational challenges.
  4. Breaking Negative Patterns: This therapy can help individuals break free from unhealthy relationship patterns rooted in attachment trauma. Whether it’s fear of intimacy or a tendency to push others away, Attachment-Focused EMDR offers tools to create healthier relational dynamics.

Why Attachment-Focused EMDR is Different

While traditional EMDR focuses primarily on reprocessing trauma, Attachment-Focused EMDR adds a layer of relational healing. It not only targets traumatic memories but also addresses the emotional and relational consequences of early attachment disruptions. This dual focus makes it a powerful tool for individuals whose trauma is tied to their early relationships.

Another key distinction is the emphasis on safety and trust within the therapeutic relationship. Attachment-Focused EMDR therapists work to create a secure therapeutic environment where individuals feel safe to explore their attachment wounds. This sense of safety is critical for successful therapy outcomes, as it mirrors the secure attachments that individuals may not have experienced in early life.

EMDR International Association – Attachment-Focused EMDR Therapy
This article provides an overview of how Attachment-Focused EMDR integrates attachment theory with traditional EMDR, offering insights into how it helps heal relational trauma.

Psychotherapy Networker – Healing Relational Trauma with Attachment-Focused EMDR
This piece explores the application of Attachment-Focused EMDR in therapy, discussing its effectiveness in treating relational trauma and improving emotional regulation.

Verywell Mind – Understanding Attachment Theory in Therapy
This article explains the basics of attachment theory and how it is applied in therapeutic contexts, including EMDR therapy, to address early relational wounds.

Attachment-Focused EMDR offers a unique and effective approach to healing deep emotional wounds related to early attachment experiences. For individuals who struggle with relational trauma, this therapy provides a path to healing that addresses both the emotional pain of past experiences and the impact these experiences have on present-day relationships. If you are seeking a way to heal attachment wounds and improve your relationships, Attachment-Focused EMDR may be the right choice for you.

If you’re ready to explore Attachment-Focused EMDR, contact a qualified therapist in your area today. Taking this step could help you achieve the emotional healing and relationship stability you deserve.

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Pauly Munn, MA, LPC

Individual & Couples Counselor; Neurofeedback Clinician; EMDR-Trained (PhD Candidate)

Pauly is a Colorado native who received his MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Regis University, and is a current doctoral candidate for a PhD in Clinical Psychology program at Fielding Graduate University. Pauly is an empathetic counselor who believes in a compassionate, yet direct approach to therapy. Pauly believes his clients are the experts of their experience. Through a collaborative lens, clients who work with Pauly are able to gain meaningful insight into their experience which in-turn provides the essential resources for navigating change and/or healing emotional wounds. Pauly utilizes an integrated trauma-informed lens blended with evidence-based modalities including ACT, CBT, EFT, and more. Pauly specializes in working with adult individuals and couples, with several years of experience working directly with a broad range of presenting challenges including relationship challenges, PTSD & complex trauma, substance use disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, and more. More importantly, Pauly believes in building a safe space in which each and every one of his clients feels seen & heard. Pauly identifies as a Latino-American, and is passionate about conducting therapy utilizing a social justice & diversity-informed lens. Pauly has a strong background working with multicultural identities, and believes in the importance of recognizing our unique differences. Pauly loves staying active through basketball, tennis, volleyball, hiking, dancing, strength training, and more. Additionally, Pauly spends time actively engaging in ongoing research projects in trauma, social justice, and neuropsychology.

Pauly's Specialties

  • Depression
  • Complex Trauma
  • Couples Counseling
  • EMDR Trained
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Brianna Herrera, MA, LPCC

Individual & Couples Counselor; Neurofeedback Clinician

Brianna believes in a holistic approach to counseling, integrating mind, body, and spirit in her work with clients. She strives to help clients weave the various aspects of their lives together through a collaborative approach, meeting her clients where they’re at and partnering with them to create lasting change and a greater sense of wholeness in their lives. Brianna seeks to create a grounding and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences with freedom and authenticity. She embraces a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities to best meet her clients’ specific needs and goals, such as trauma-informed CBT, DBT, mindfulness-based techniques, solution-focused therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and humanistic approaches. In her work with couples, Brianna focuses on helping partners improve communication, strengthen their emotional connection, and navigate challenges such as conflict resolution, intimacy issues, and life transitions. She believes that life-giving, functioning relationships are foundational to a person’s sense of well-being. Brianna is certified in facilitating both SYMBIS and Prepare-Enrich couples counseling sessions. In her free time, she can often be found adventuring outside with her husband and pup, hosting a game night, or enjoying time with community.

Brianna's Specialties

  • Couples + Dating Therapy
  • Pre/Postpartum
  • Anxiety
  • Women's Issues
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Sydney Focht, MA, LPC

Clinical Director & Counselor

I specialize in working with women in their 20s to 50s who struggle with self-worth, self-esteem, and the guilt that often comes with prioritizing themselves. Finding self-trust and the ability to feel worthy of happiness are common topics in my work. My clients tend to put off therapy because they downplay their struggles, describing their pain as ‘not that big of a deal.’ Many of them grew up in households where expressing emotions wasn’t encouraged and they are still looking for security now. My goal is to create a space where you feel completely free to be yourself—no pressure, no expectations. Therapy with me isn’t about either of us being ‘perfect’—it’s more about you feeling safe, seen, and supported as you figure things out in a way that works for you. I prioritize meaningful conversations that get to the heart of the issue, getting to the root and out of surface level conversation quickly. Going through my own therapy has given me a deeper understanding of what it’s like to be in the client’s seat, and it’s made me even more passionate about helping others find the support that truly works for them. My clients describe me as focused, compassionate, nonjudgmental, and down-to-earth. I truly love what I do and that comes through in my work! I’m a person-centered therapist, but I often integrate elements of Motivational Interviewing, CBT, and IFS.

Sydney's Specialties

  • Perfectionism
  • Eating Disorders
  • Grief/Loss
  • Women's Issues
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Cassandra Keller, MA, LPCC

Neurofeedback Clinician & Counselor (EMDR-Trained)

I support adults and teens (15+) who are ready to find relief from trauma, anxiety, depression, or feeling stuck in life, career, or identity transitions. Using a compassionate, trauma-informed, and integrative approach, I help clients reconnect with themselves and move toward balance and resilience. I’m EMDR-trained and draw from person-centered, gestalt, DBT, and somatic practices. Whether we’re working with the nervous system, processing painful memories, or exploring patterns with curiosity, my goal is to create a safe, collaborative space where you feel supported, present, and empowered to grow. I especially enjoy working with athletes, creative people, students, and outdoor adventurers who value resilience, beauty, and balance. Alongside therapy and grounding practices, I also offer neurofeedback as another powerful pathway for nervous system regulation and healing. Outside the office, you’ll often find me climbing, fly fishing, running trails, foraging, or relaxing in the grass under the aspens. My love for movement, play, and nature continually inspires how I show up with clients.

Cassandra's Specialties

  • Trauma and Developmental Trauma
  • Nervous System Regulation
  • Anxiety
  • Mind-Body Connection
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