EMDR and Trauma Recovery

“I am not what happened to me; I am what I choose to become.”
– C. G. Jung

Trauma doesn’t just fade

Time alone doesn’t heal trauma. For many people, reminders of past events keep pulling them back into the same painful cycle. A sound, a smell, or a familiar argument can feel like reliving the original moment. The result is anxiety, avoidance, and exhaustion.

To cope, people often reach for whatever works in the short term. Sometimes those strategies are harmless. Sometimes they add new problems on top of the old ones. Either way, it can feel like the past is still in charge.

How EMDR Therapy Works

At Sonder Therapy Group in San Diego, we use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), an evidence-based treatment endorsed by the APA for trauma.

Here’s how I explain it: Part of the pain of traumatic memories is that they may hold the same emotional punch they did on the day the event happened.

Imagine your memories are like clay. When something painful happens, your mind hardens the clay quickly, locking in the beliefs that came with it: I’m not safe. It’s my fault. I can’t trust anyone. That hardened clay sits there, shaping how you see yourself and the world.

EMDR softens that clay. In a safe setting, you can bring up pieces of your story at your own pace. We don’t flood you with exposure to your worst memories. Instead, we work bit by bit. Over time, EMDR helps your brain reprocess those experiences so they lose their grip.

Why Clients Choose EMDR

Clients who complete EMDR often notice:

Fewer flashbacks or intrusive thoughts
Less panic or sudden surges of anxiety
A calmer body response to stress
A stronger sense of control over their lives

The goal isn’t just “coping.” It’s reshaping how the brain holds trauma so that it no longer dominates the present.

Moving Toward Recovery

One of the privileges of this work is seeing people discover that Jung’s quote at the top of this page is true: you are not what happened to you, but what you choose to become.

At Sonder Therapy Group, EMDR is one of the tools we use to help clients move forward. For many, it opens the door to lasting peace after years of feeling stuck.

Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to heal from trauma, we invite you to schedule a free consultation. We’ll answer your questions, talk about your goals, and see if EMDR therapy is the right fit.