For someone grappling with relationship issues stemming from relational trauma, the world of interpersonal connections can feel like a minefield. There's often a pervasive sense of wariness, a subconscious belief that getting close to someone inevitably leads to hurt or betrayal. This mindset can manifest in various ways: a constant scrutiny of others' intentions, a fear of vulnerability, or an overwhelming urge to withdraw at the slightest hint of conflict or intimacy. Even in moments of apparent calm, there's an undercurrent of doubt and insecurity, making it challenging to fully relax and be present in relationships.
Yet, amidst this turmoil, there remains a glimmer of hope. With support, therapy, and time, it's possible to navigate these turbulent waters and find a path to healthier relationships.
Overcome issues with trust and intimacy by addressing underlying traumas through integrative EMDR therapy.
In our therapeutic practice, we recognize the profound impact that relational trauma and betrayal can have on an individual's self-esteem and their ability to maintain close relationships. Utilizing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), our therapists address the deep-rooted emotional scars left by such experiences. Often, these traumatic events lead to a significant erosion of self-worth and trust, not just in others but also in oneself. This diminished sense of self-esteem can manifest as a tendency to push people away, driven by a fear of repeated hurt and a protective mechanism against vulnerability.
In addition to EMDR, our therapists employ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques, which are pivotal in counteracting the negative thought patterns and self-perceptions that relational trauma often ingrains. These techniques help individuals to rebuild their self-esteem and learn healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. In therapy, clients are provided a supportive space to explore how betrayal and trauma have shaped their self-view and impacted their relationships. The goal is to guide them through a process of healing, not only to recover from past wounds but to cultivate a stronger, more positive sense of self. This renewed self-perception is crucial for opening up to others and forming healthy, trusting relationships in the future. Through this integrated therapeutic approach, clients embark on a journey towards regaining their self-esteem and relearning how to connect with others in meaningful and fulfilling ways.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Hoffenberg understands that feeling unloved as a child can cast a long shadow over your adult relationships, often manifesting as attachment issues, codependency, and a tendency to push people away. Early experiences of neglect or abandonment can leave you questioning your worth and struggling to form secure, meaningful connections. These deep-seated wounds often translate into recurring patterns that interfere with your ability to trust and maintain intimate relationships.
With the most advanced training in Relational EMDR, Dr. Hoffenberg offers a uniquely effective approach to healing. Her specialized form of EMDR therapy goes beyond traditional methods by directly addressing the interpersonal aspects of trauma. This innovative technique is designed to help you reprocess painful memories and dismantle the core factors behind your relational difficulties, providing a clear path toward overcoming self-sabotaging behaviors and ingrained patterns of disconnect.
Her trauma-informed, person-centered approach creates a safe and nurturing space where every aspect of your unique history is honored. Dr. Hoffenberg’s empathetic guidance helps you rebuild trust in yourself and others, empowering you to break free from the cycle of pain and isolation. Through this comprehensive and deeply compassionate method, you can begin to heal your past wounds, forge healthier relationships, and ultimately embrace the love you truly deserve.
Read More about Dr. Hoffenberg
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Yunusova, a highly skilled therapist in relationship issues and couples therapy, brings a transformative approach to those grappling with insecurities and the tendency to push others away. Her expertise shines in assisting clients to break the cycle of distancing themselves from loved ones, a common response to underlying fears and past traumas. By integrating Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-informed care, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dr. Yunusova offers a powerful pathway for healing and connection. EMDR is central to her treatment, effectively reaching the roots of trauma that often cause individuals to erect emotional barriers, leading to detachment in relationships.
In conjunction with EMDR, Dr. Yunusova’s trauma-informed care creates a nurturing environment, pivotal for clients dealing with the vulnerabilities of past traumas. Simultaneously, she employs CBT to challenge and reshape the negative thought patterns that fuel insecurities and the reflex to push people away. This comprehensive approach not only fosters an understanding of one’s protective mechanisms but also empowers clients with strategies to build trust and open themselves to intimacy. Dr. Yunusova’s method is a catalyst for profound change, guiding individuals and couples on a journey from isolation to embracing deeper, more meaningful connections. Her expertise in combining these therapeutic modalities offers a robust solution to the complex challenge of overcoming the fears and traumas that hinder close, fulfilling relationships.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Citrin specializes in fear of intimacy, with a special skill in helping men who struggle with committing to a loving relationship. She understands that many men feel the pressure to keep their guard up, avoid emotional vulnerability, or pull away when relationships start getting serious. Through her expertise in EMDR, trauma-informed care, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Dr. Citrin helps men break through these barriers and build stronger, more meaningful connections.
Using EMDR, she works with individuals to process any past experiences or trauma that might be holding them back from getting close to others. Whether it's fear of getting hurt, trust issues, or difficulty expressing emotions, EMDR helps get to the root of those challenges. Dr. Citrin’s trauma-informed approach ensures a supportive, non-judgmental space to tackle these fears head-on.
With EFT, she helps people understand and express their emotions in a way that strengthens relationships, while guiding them to overcome the commitment fears that can keep them from fully engaging with a partner. Dr. Citrin’s relatable and practical approach empowers men to stop pushing people away and instead develop deeper, more fulfilling relationships.
Clinical Psychologist
Ami Zala, Psy.D, recognizes that early experiences of rejection and dependency can cast a long shadow over your adult relationships, often leaving you with deep feelings of unworthiness and a persistent fear of intimacy. These early wounds can trigger a cycle of isolation, where the fear of rejection leads you to push people away, even when you crave genuine connection. This pattern, born from past hurts, makes it challenging to trust others and fully open up to the possibility of love.
Utilizing a unique blend of EMDR, trauma-informed care, and psychoanalytic insights, Ami offers a comprehensive approach to healing that addresses both the surface and deeper, underlying issues. Her innovative use of EMDR helps reprocess painful memories, while her psychoanalytic perspective uncovers the core beliefs that fuel your fear of rejection. As a result, many clients experience a profound transformation—they learn to let go of the old patterns of pushing others away, embrace vulnerability, and form more secure, fulfilling relationships. In a safe and empathetic environment, Ami empowers you to rebuild trust in yourself and others, ultimately guiding you toward a future where genuine connection replaces the shadow of past rejection.
Many individuals struggling with relationship and trust issues may not realize that these challenges often stem from childhood or relational traumas. When they seek help, they have typically explored various therapies, which might have provided temporary relief but did not fully resolve their deeper struggles with trust and intimacy in relationships. This is where Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be particularly beneficial. EMDR targets the root causes of relationship and trust issues, reaching beyond the limitations of traditional therapy methods that often focus only on immediate relational dynamics.
EMDR delves into traumatic memories and negative beliefs, frequently originating from early life experiences or past relationships, which play a crucial role in shaping one's approach to trust and intimacy. By processing these past experiences, individuals can begin to develop healthier perspectives on relationships and rebuild their ability to trust. Research has supported the effectiveness of EMDR in addressing issues related to trust and relationships. Studies published in psychological journals have demonstrated that EMDR can significantly alleviate the impact of childhood and relational traumas that contribute to trust issues. EMDR's ability to disrupt and reframe the negative associations stemming from emotional pain and adverse relational experiences is key in enabling individuals to foster healthy relationships and a renewed capacity for trust.
Remove the barriers to a healthy relationship, rebuild trust, and heal attachment wounds caused by trauma with EMDR therapy.
