Make an Appointment: (256) 886-8479 | admin@j2nb.com

admin@j2nb.com | (256) 886-8479

admin@j2nb.com | (256) 886-8479

"The body remembers, but it can also release. 
Healing begins when the weight of the past no 
longer controls the rhythm of today." 
- Juliet Wise

EMDR Therapy

Attachment-Focused Healing for Sexual Trauma & Intimacy Wounds

When memories of abuse, betrayal, or spiritual harm keep hijacking the present-making closeness feel risky-Attachment-Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR) helps your brain finish what trauma interrupted: safety, trust, and connection. 

What is EMDR?

Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is guided by the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. 

Think of your mind as a huge library: after each life event, a “book” (memory) is supposed to be shelved in the right spot so you can recall it without distress. Trauma throws the book onto the floor—pages scattered, alarms blaring—so every time you walk by, you trip over it.

During EMDR you glance at that scattered book for just a few seconds while your eyes follow gentle left-right cues (or feel taps/tones). That rhythmic movement acts like a calm librarian: gathering the pages, closing the cover, and filing the book where it belongs. The memory stays, but the chaos and alarms fade. 


How Healing Looks: “Leah” (fictional case example)

Leah was sexually assaulted in college. Years later she loves her partner but still feels a flash of terror whenever intimacy moves beyond a kiss. During EMDR, Leah brings up one frozen image from the assault while the therapist guides her to tap gently—left hand, right hand, back and forth—on her knees. After several tapping sets, her shoulders drop, her breathing steadies, and the belief “I’m not safe in intimacy” starts to loosen. A new thought— “I can choose safe, caring touch now”—begins to take root. Session by session, those once-overwhelming memories settle, and Leah can remain present with her partner, enjoying closeness without the old panic taking over. 


Why We Use an Attachment-Focused Lens

  • Relational safety first. We establish a solid, caring bond before touching trauma content.

  • Resource development. Together we install felt-sense experiences of nurture, protection, and wisdom—so your nervous system knows support is available inside and out.

  • Repairing old patterns. Sessions weave in early attachment experiences, helping you release “I’m unlovable” or “I’m unsafe with others” and replace them with secure, resilient beliefs. 

Why Clients Choose Attachment Focused-EMDR With Us

  • Sexual-Trauma & Intimacy Specialists – Focused care for women and couples ready to heal body and relationship together.
  • Relational Safety-First Process – We anchor trust and emotional security before opening difficult memories.
  • Body Centered Tools – Breathwork, grounding, and gentle movement keep each session regulated and empowering.
  • Statewide Access – Telehealth + in-person - secure EMDR anywhere in Alabama or at our Madison office 
1. Map Your Story - History Taking

We outline your history, triggers, & goals. flag early attachment wounds & current relationship patterns

2. Build Calm - Preparation

In this step you master easy grounding exercises and build a comforting mental image—your personal safe haven—populated by supportive, protective figures that signal to your body, “You’re secure here. 

3. Pick a Memory - Assessment

We’ll pinpoint a single distressing memory and the negative belief attached to it—like “I’m unlovable”—then trace how that belief first took hold in earlier experiences of love, trust, and safety. 

4. Reprocess - Desensitization

As you focus on the distressing memory, rhythmic taps alternate between your left and right sides, prompting the brain to process the event rather than relive it. The emotional intensity steadily decreases, while your therapist continuously checks in, ensuring you remain calm and supported throughout the session. 

5. Anchor the Positive - Installation

We anchor the new, healthy belief—such as “I am safe and valued”—by holding it in focus while your body registers comfort and ease. This pairing cements the belief at both cognitive and physical levels, allowing it to replace the old, negative message whenever the memory arises. 

6. Body Scan

We close by checking from head to toe for any lingering tightness or emotional residue. If a spot feels uneasy, we use brief bilateral tapping and comforting imagery until your whole body signals, “I’m calm and clear.” 

7. Close Steady - Closure

We close by checking from head to toe for any lingering tightness or emotional residue. If a spot feels uneasy, we use brief bilateral tapping and comforting imagery until your whole body signals, “I’m calm and clear.” 

8. Review & Next - Re-evaluation

At the start of the next session, we revisit the memory to confirm the distress is still low, note new ease and confidence in your relationships, and choose the next experience or belief to process. 

The 8 EMDR Phases - Simplified & Attachment-Tuned

Step

Plain-Language Promise

Attachment Twist

What to Expect 


Timeline: single-incident trauma can ease in 6-12 sessions; complex histories take longer. 

Feeling in control: we pause anytime distress spikes-your nervous system sets the pace. 

Results you'll notice: fewer intrusions, calmer body, and renewed capacity for touch, trust, and connection.


Ready to reclaim safe intimacy?

Begin your journey today

Common Questions

Does EMDR work online?

Yes. During telehealth sessions your therapist guides bilateral stimulation in several ways:

  • Self-Tapping: You alternately tap your own shoulders, knees, or the “butterfly hug” position while watching the therapist’s hand cues on screen.

  • On-Screen Cues: The therapist shares a moving light bar or dot you follow with your eyes.

  • Audio Tones or Vibration Devices: Headphones deliver alternating tones, or Bluetooth buzzers vibrate left-right in your hands if you prefer tactile input.

These methods activate the same left-right brain processing as in-office EMDR, and research shows virtual results are comparable to face-to-face treatment.

How many sessions will I need?

Simple traumas may resolve in 6-12 sessions; complex sexual or attachment trauma often requires a longer series. We'll set milestones and review progress together.

Will I lose control during processing?

You remain fully present. If distress spikes, we pause, use grounding resources, and resume only when you feel ready.

Why the attachment focus?

Sexual trauma and relational wounds often leave echoes like "I'm unsafe with others" or "I'm unworthy of love." By weaving attachment resources into every phase, EMDR not only eases the memory's sting but also rewrites the relational beliefs that block intimacy-helping you feel safe in your own body and in your closest connections.

Our EMDR Provider