Trauma & EMDR
At Olive Branch Therapy Group, we provide specialized trauma therapy and EMDR therapy to help you heal from painful experiences, reclaim control of your life, and build a future filled with hope and resilience.
Whether you’re struggling with childhood trauma, a recent event, or the ongoing effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), our licensed therapists are here to walk beside you in the recovery process.
Whether you’re struggling with childhood trauma, a recent event, or the ongoing effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), our licensed therapists are here to walk beside you in the recovery process.
You don’t have to live with the weight of trauma forever.
It can make everyday situations feel unsafe, triggering intense emotions and leaving you in a constant state of hypervigilance. These reactions are not a sign of weakness—they are your brain’s way of signaling that it needs healing.
Common symptoms of trauma and PTSD include:
Without treatment, trauma symptoms can interfere with work, relationships, and your ability to feel safe and grounded. With the right support, healing is possible.
Common symptoms of trauma and PTSD include:
- Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
- Nightmares and sleep disturbances
- Severe anxiety or panic attacks
- Mood swings, irritability, or anger
- Memory problems or poor concentration
- Depression and emotional numbness
- Social withdrawal or isolation
- Feeling “stuck” in the past
Without treatment, trauma symptoms can interfere with work, relationships, and your ability to feel safe and grounded. With the right support, healing is possible.
Understanding Trauma and PTSD
Trauma changes the way the brain works.
Our Approach to Trauma Therapy
At Olive Branch Therapy Group, we know trauma looks different for everyone. That’s why we provide personalized, evidence-based treatment tailored to your experiences and goals.
Our trauma-focused therapies include:
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A highly effective, research-backed therapy that helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer feel overwhelming.
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy: Traditional talk therapy that helps you explore the root of your trauma and gain insight into how past experiences shape your present.
- Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT): Often used with children and adolescents, this approach helps reframe negative thought patterns and supports healing with caregiver involvement.
- Mindfulness and grounding techniques: Practical tools to reduce stress, manage triggers, and stay present in your daily life.
Our goal is to help you experience post-traumatic growth—the process of not only recovering from trauma but also developing new strengths, resilience, and clarity along the way.
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a specialized form of trauma therapy that helps the brain heal from distressing memories. Just as the body knows how to recover from a physical wound, the brain can learn to reprocess traumatic experiences.
During EMDR, your therapist will guide you to recall aspects of a traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements, alternating tones, or gentle taps. This process helps the brain “unstick” traumatic memories, reducing their emotional intensity and allowing you to process them in a healthier way.
During EMDR, your therapist will guide you to recall aspects of a traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements, alternating tones, or gentle taps. This process helps the brain “unstick” traumatic memories, reducing their emotional intensity and allowing you to process them in a healthier way.
The eight phases of EMDR therapy include:
- History-taking and treatment planning
- Preparation and building trust with your therapist
- Assessment of the traumatic memory or “target”
- Desensitization through bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tones, or taps)
- Installation of positive beliefs to replace negative ones
- Body scan to release physical tension related to trauma
- Closure at the end of each session to ensure stability
- Reevaluation to track progress across sessions
EMDR does not erase your memories—it helps you change the way your brain responds to them, so they no longer feel as distressing or overwhelming.
During trauma therapy, your therapist will:
Every client’s journey is unique. Some people need short-term, focused sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. Together, we’ll build a treatment plan that fits your needs.
- Create a safe, non-judgmental environment for you to share your story
- Help you face your past without getting “stuck” in it
- Work with you to reduce trauma symptoms and emotional triggers
- Focus on the present while also resolving unprocessed memories
- Teach coping strategies to prevent relapse or overwhelm
- Empower you to reclaim control and build a healthier future
Every client’s journey is unique. Some people need short-term, focused sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. Together, we’ll build a treatment plan that fits your needs.
What to Expect in Trauma Therapy
EMDR was originally developed to treat PTSD, but research now shows it is effective for a wide range of issues, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Childhood trauma and abuse
- Grief and complicated bereavement
- Anxiety and panic disorders
- Depression
- Phobias and performance anxiety
- Stress related to medical conditions or major life events
If traditional talk therapy hasn’t worked for you—or if your trauma feels “stuck” despite other treatments—EMDR may be a powerful option.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?
Trauma Therapy for Children and Teens
Children and teens process trauma differently than adults. Our therapists are trained in TF-CBT, play therapy, and sand tray therapy—developmentally appropriate approaches that give young clients safe ways to express themselves and heal.
We often involve parents and caregivers in the process to strengthen family support systems and ensure progress carries into the home.
Start Trauma and EMDR Therapy in New Jersey
If you are searching for trauma therapy in East Brunswick, Somerville, or online across New Jersey, Olive Branch Therapy Group is here to help. Our experienced trauma therapists, many of whom are EMDR-certified, are ready to support you or your child in healing, growing, and moving forward.
