Healing After Trauma: How EMDR Can Support You in the Perinatal Period - Geelong therapy
Pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum period can stir up a wide range of emotions—some joyful, some overwhelming, and some deeply painful. Whether you've experienced a difficult birth, pregnancy loss, complications, or past trauma that’s resurfacing, it’s important to know that you’re not alone—and you can heal.
One effective therapy we offer at Nurture Geelong is called EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. This evidence-based approach is particularly helpful for people navigating trauma during the perinatal period.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR (pronounced E-M-D-R) is a type of therapy developed to help people process and recover from traumatic experiences. It’s recognised by the World Health Organization and NHS as a gold-standard treatment for PTSD and trauma-related difficulties.
But you don’t need a PTSD diagnosis to benefit. EMDR can be helpful if you’re struggling with:
A traumatic or unexpected birth
Pregnancy loss or miscarriage
A difficult fertility journey
Feeling "stuck" after a distressing experience
Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts
High anxiety triggered by past events
How Does EMDR Work?
When something traumatic happens, the brain can become overwhelmed, and the memory can get “stuck.” You might re-live parts of the event through vivid memories, body sensations, or strong emotional reactions—especially during pregnancy or parenting, when similar feelings or situations arise.
EMDR helps the brain process and re-file these memories properly so they no longer feel so raw or overwhelming. It does this using bilateral stimulation—usually guided eye movements, tapping, or sounds—while you think about parts of the traumatic memory in a safe and structured way.
Over time, the memory becomes less distressing, and you may notice:
A shift in how your body responds
Less emotional reactivity
More self-compassion and resilience
EMDR in the Perinatal Period
EMDR can be adapted to meet the unique needs of pregnant and postpartum people. Here’s how:
🧘♀️ Gentle pacing – Sessions move at your comfort level, with a focus on safety and stability
🤰 Trauma-informed care – We understand how birth, body changes, and parenting may be connected to your trauma
👶 Parent-focused support – Healing trauma doesn’t just benefit you—it supports your ability to connect with and care for your baby
🧩 Flexible goals – Whether you want to prepare for another birth, recover from a loss, or manage anxiety, EMDR can be tailored to your priorities
What Does a Typical EMDR Journey Look Like?
Assessment & Preparation
We start by getting to know you—your story, your strengths, and what support you need. We teach grounding and calming techniques to help you feel safe and regulated.Targeting the Trauma
When you’re ready, we identify memories that feel “stuck” and begin the EMDR processing, always at your pace.Processing & Rewiring
Through bilateral stimulation, your brain starts to make new connections. The memory may still be there—but it no longer holds the same emotional charge.Integration & Healing
We help you make sense of the shifts, supporting your emotional recovery and personal growth.
Is EMDR Right for Me?
EMDR can be a powerful tool for many people, but it's not the only path to healing. You might benefit from EMDR if:
You feel haunted by a specific event or experience
You've tried talking therapies but still feel “stuck”
Your trauma responses are affecting your sleep, relationships, or parenting
You want a focused, evidence-based approach to healing
If you're unsure, we can chat through your options and decide together if EMDR is a good fit for you.
A Final Word
Healing from trauma isn’t about forgetting what happened—it’s about freeing yourself from the emotional weight it still carries. You deserve to feel safe in your own body, confident in your choices, and connected to your baby and loved ones.
Whether your trauma is recent or from long ago, it matters—and so do you.
We’re here to support you with compassion, expertise, and care.