Someone took something from you that you can’t get back, and now your body feels like enemy territory. We help you reclaim your body as your own so the memories stop ambushing you during intimate moments.
Someone took something from you that you can’t get back. Now your body feels like enemy territory. You might go through the motions of intimacy while feeling nothing, or avoid touch altogether because it makes your skin crawl. The shame sits heavy even though you know, logically, it wasn’t your fault.
EMDR for sexual trauma in Philadelphia helps when unwanted sexual experiences still control your relationship with your body and intimacy. Whether it was childhood abuse, adult assault, or a medical procedure that crossed boundaries, your body remembers even when you try to forget. You deserve to feel safe in your own skin again.
EMDR helps you reclaim your body as your own. The memories stop ambushing you during intimate moments. You learn to stay present instead of disappearing when someone touches you. Your body becomes a safe place to live again.
After EMDR, you get to choose what happens with your body. Intimacy becomes about what you want, not what you’re trying to avoid or endure. You can say yes when you mean yes and no when you mean no, without the trauma making those decisions for you.
The shame that wasn’t yours to carry finally lifts. Many survivors describe feeling clean for the first time since the trauma. When you stop blaming yourself for what someone else did, you can finally heal.
Our Approach to EMDR for Sexual Trauma
Sexual trauma requires special care because it violates your most intimate boundaries. We go slowly, respecting that trust has been broken. You control every aspect of the process. We never push you to share more than feels safe.
EMDR works differently than talking about trauma over and over. We help your brain process the memory without retraumatizing you. The memory becomes something that happened to you, not something that’s still happening every time you’re triggered.
We address both the trauma and its ripple effects. The fear of certain touches. The shame about your body’s responses. The beliefs about your worth. EMDR helps update all the ways trauma changed how you see yourself.
What to Expect in Sessions
First, we build safety and trust. Sexual trauma often makes you feel powerless, so we make sure you’re in charge here. You decide what to work on, when to pause, how much to share. Your comfort and control come first.
EMDR processing uses bilateral stimulation while you hold aspects of the memory in mind. You don’t have to tell every detail. Your brain knows what needs healing. We guide the process while you do the healing work.
We also work on current triggers and future situations. Maybe certain positions or touches bring flashbacks. Maybe medical exams cause panic. We help your brain learn these situations are different from the trauma, so you can navigate them safely.
Areas We Serve
The mother from Chestnut Hill finally ready to address childhood abuse. The young professional in Northern Liberties whose date didn’t listen when she said no. The man from Camden who’s never told anyone his story. Sexual trauma survivors come to us from everywhere when they’re ready to heal.
Some travel from Lancaster County for specialized EMDR. Others walk over from Rittenhouse during lunch. Whether you need the anonymity of coming to Center City or the convenience of being close to home, we work with clients throughout Greater Philadelphia.
Online EMDR makes healing possible when leaving home feels too hard. Video sessions work just as well as in-person, serving clients from Bucks County to Burlington County. We offer both options because trauma is hard enough without logistics getting in the way.
Philadelphia Therapy Office
In the heart of Center City Philadelphia, our office offers you convenient access to expert care. With flexible appointment times to accommodate your busy schedule, we’re committed to making your counseling journey as seamless as possible. Also offering online counseling in PA and NJ.
Ready to take your body back from what happened? Schedule a consultation to explore if EMDR can help you heal from sexual trauma. You survived the worst part. Now we can help you reclaim your life.
