EMDR for Relationships Issues

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.

Improve Your Relationship with Yourself and Others

Overcome issues with trust and intimacy by addressing underlying traumas through integrative EMDR therapy.

Rebecca Hoffenberg, Psy.D
Clinical Psychologist
Expertises
Relationship issues, trust, and abandonment issues
Approach
EMDR, trauma-informed & person-centered
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Irada Yunusova, Psy.D
Clinical Psychologist
Expertises
Interpersonal struggles & couples
Approach
EFT, trauma-informed, EMDR, & DBT
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Laura Faiwiszewski, Psy.D
Clinical Psychologist
Expertises
Relationship issues and fear of intimacy
Approach
EMDR, hypnotherapy & CBT
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Leora Citrin, Psy.D
Clinical Psychologist
Expertises
Fear of intimacy & men struggling with commitment issues
Approach
EMDR, trauma-informed & EFT
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How We Work with Couples and Relationship Issues

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.

"Trauma weaves its way through the heart, often leaving a labyrinth of fear and doubt in its wake. It profoundly impacts an individual's capacity to love and be loved, casting long shadows over the very essence of connection."

Our Specialists in Integrative Therapy for Relationship Issues

Dr. Rebecca Hoffenberg

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Hoffenberg specializes in addressing relationship issues, trust, and abandonment concerns with a compassionate and effective approach. Her expertise focuses on aiding individuals who face challenges in their interpersonal relationships, particularly those struggling with deep-rooted trust and abandonment issues. In her practice, she utilizes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an approach particularly beneficial for clients whose relationship difficulties are linked with past traumatic experiences. EMDR facilitates the processing of these traumatic memories, helping to address and alleviate the root causes of trust and abandonment issues.

Alongside EMDR, Dr. Hoffenberg employs a trauma-informed approach, ensuring that every aspect of the therapy is sensitive to the traumatic experiences of her clients. This method creates a secure and nurturing environment, crucial for healing. Additionally, her person-centered approach underscores the therapy, where she emphasizes understanding each individual's unique experiences and perspectives. This approach fosters a therapeutic relationship characterized by empathy, respect, and unconditional positive regard, enabling clients to feel truly heard and empowered. Through this combination of methodologies, Dr. Hoffenberg guides her clients on a path to overcoming their relational challenges, rebuilding trust, and healing from the scars of abandonment, leading to healthier and more fulfilling relationships.


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Dr. Laura Faiwiszewski

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Faiwiszewski is an expert in addressing relationship issues and fear of intimacy. Her approach is tailored to individuals who struggle with emotional closeness due to underlying fears and past traumas. To tackle these complex challenges, she adeptly combines Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), hypnotherapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). EMDR plays a critical role in her therapy, enabling clients to process and heal from past traumatic experiences that often hinder intimacy. This method helps break down emotional barriers that impede the formation of deep connections.

Dr. Faiwiszewski utilizes hypnotherapy to access and alter deep-seated subconscious patterns that affect how individuals perceive and engage in relationships. This technique is instrumental in bringing about profound changes in attitudes towards intimacy. Simultaneously, CBT is employed to identify, challenge, and reframe negative thought patterns and beliefs around relationships and intimacy, providing clients with new perspectives and coping mechanisms. This integrative approach not only addresses the symptoms but also delves into the underlying causes of relationship difficulties and fear of intimacy. Through her empathetic and empowering methods, Dr. Faiwiszewski guides her clients on a journey towards overcoming their fears, enabling them to cultivate more meaningful and fulfilling relationships.

Dr. Irada Yunusova

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.

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Dr. Leora Citrin

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.

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How EMDR Helps with Trust & Intimacy

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.

FAQ About Therapy for Relationships and Couples Therapy

How does trauma affect relationships?

Trauma can significantly impact an individual's ability to form and maintain healthy relationships. It can lead to trust issues, difficulties with intimacy, heightened fear of abandonment, and challenges in communication. Trauma can also cause individuals to subconsciously replay unhealthy patterns learned from past traumatic experiences in their current relationships.

What are trust issues, and how do they affect relationships?

Trust issues refer to a persistent feeling of mistrust or fear of betrayal in relationships. They can lead to challenges like jealousy, insecurity, and relationship conflicts, impacting both personal and professional relationships.

How can therapy help with trust issues?

Therapy can help by identifying the root causes of trust issues, such as past traumas or experiences of betrayal. Therapists work with individuals to process these experiences, develop healthier perspectives, and learn strategies to rebuild trust in relationships.

Can past trauma lead to relationship problems even if it didn’t occur in a romantic context?

Yes, trauma from any area of life, not just romantic relationships, can affect current relationship dynamics. Trauma in childhood, for instance, can shape attachment styles and coping mechanisms that play out in adult relationships.

Ready To Build Happier, Healthier Relationships?

Allow us to guide you toward a more secure and connected mindset, helping you break free from detrimental relationship patterns and fostering a sense of mutual understanding and trust.