EMDR for Birth Trauma in Scottsdale, AZ or Online
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EMDR Therapy for Birth Trauma in Scottsdale, AZ
Childbirth is often described as miraculous, but for many, the experience can be deeply traumatic. A difficult delivery, unexpected medical interventions, or even feelings of being powerless can leave lasting emotional scars. If you are struggling after birth, you are not alone—and healing is possible.
At BrainBody Wellness Counseling in Scottsdale, AZ, we offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for birth trauma to help new parents process painful memories, reduce distress, and begin to feel grounded again.
Our EMDR therapist, Amanda Nomicos, LPC, PMH-C (Certified in Perinatal Mental Health), provides both traditional EMDR therapy and intensive EMDR sessions specifically for postpartum trauma recovery.
Understanding Birth Trauma
Birth trauma can occur for many reasons, including:
Emergency C-sections or unexpected medical complications
Feelings of fear, helplessness, or lack of support during delivery
Loss of control over your body or medical decisions
Traumatic loss or NICU stays
The impact of birth trauma is not just emotional. It can affect your mind, body, relationships, and sense of identity as a parent. Many people experience:
Intrusive memories or flashbacks
Heightened anxiety and panic attacks
Guilt, shame, or sadness about the birth
Trouble bonding with their baby
Emotional numbness or disconnection
Symptoms of Postpartum PTSD
These responses are normal reactions to trauma—and with the right support, they can be healed.
How EMDR Therapy Helps with Birth Trauma
EMDR is a research-supported therapy proven to help people recover from trauma. Instead of requiring you to relive or retell every detail of your experience, EMDR works by gently reprocessing the memory in your brain so it no longer feels “stuck.”
Through bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping), EMDR helps:
Reduce the emotional intensity of distressing memories
Calm physical symptoms of trauma (such as racing heart or tension)
Restore a sense of safety and control
Open the way for reconnection and healing
For birth trauma specifically, EMDR allows you to move past the pain of the delivery experience and step into parenthood with more peace, balance, and presence.
Your Healing Options: Traditional EMDR or EMDR Intensives
At BrainBody Wellness, we offer two flexible EMDR formats based on your needs:
Traditional EMDR Therapy
Weekly 53-minute sessions
Gradual processing of the birth experience
Space to build resilience and coping skills over time
EMDR Intensives for Birth Trauma
Focused 3–6 hour session (scheduled after a personalized intake)
Provides accelerated healing in less time
Helpful for those who want quicker relief or cannot commit to weekly therapy
Both options are designed to support long-lasting emotional recovery after traumatic birth.
Is EMDR Right for You?
You may benefit from EMDR for birth trauma if you are experiencing:
Intrusive memories or flashbacks
Overwhelming anxiety or panic related to birth
Persistent sadness, guilt, or grief
Feeling emotionally disconnected from your baby or partner
Fear of future pregnancies or medical procedures
Many parents find that EMDR helps them regain their sense of self, reconnect emotionally, and feel more present in their new role.
Common Questions About EMDR for Birth Trauma
1. How soon after childbirth can I begin EMDR therapy?
You can start whenever you feel ready. Some parents benefit from beginning a few weeks postpartum, while others wait months or longer. We personalize your treatment based on your emotional readiness.
2. Is EMDR safe during postpartum recovery?
Yes. EMDR is trauma-informed and always begins with stabilization. You’ll learn grounding and nervous system regulation skills before addressing deeper memories.
3. Do I have to share all the details of my trauma?
No. EMDR does not require you to go into detail about your experience. The focus is on how your brain processes the memory, not on retelling the story. In typical EMDR we will ask you to hold the memory of the worst part, but you do not have to share it with your therapist if you choose not to.
4. Can EMDR help me bond with my baby?
Yes. By reducing trauma-related blocks and emotional numbness, EMDR helps open the path to connection, presence, and bonding.
Why Choose BrainBody Wellness for EMDR in Scottsdale?
Specialized Care: Amanda Nomicos, LPC, is both EMDR-trained and certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C).
Holistic Support: We integrate mind-body techniques and emotional regulation strategies alongside EMDR.
Flexible Options: Choose between weekly therapy or intensives for faster results.
Compassionate Environment: You’ll always be met with warmth, respect, and non-judgmental care.
We also accept Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, private pay, HSA, and FSA cards to make care more accessible.
Begin Your Healing Journey Today
Birth may not have gone the way you hoped, but your healing story can begin now. With the support of EMDR therapy, you can reduce distress, regain your sense of strength, and move forward with confidence as a parent.
In-person EMDR therapy in Scottsdale, AZ
Telehealth available across Arizona
Free 10-minute consultations with Amanda Nomicos, LPC, PMH-C
Take the first step toward relief and restoration today. Schedule your free consultation and explore whether traditional EMDR or an intensive is right for you.
Amanda is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and EMDR-trained therapist who has guided hundreds of clients through trauma resolution using evidence-based EMDR protocols. She specializes in creating EMDR intensives that are both safe and effective, helping clients process painful memories in a focused, accelerated format.
Amanda integrates Attachment Theory and Internal Family Systems (IFS) into her EMDR work, providing a holistic and personalized approach. By addressing both the nervous system and the internal parts that hold trauma, she helps clients not only process distressing memories but also develop lasting emotional regulation skills and self-compassion.
Known for her warm, supportive style, Amanda ensures each EMDR intensive is tailored to the client’s specific needs, allowing for deeper healing in a shorter time. Whether you are seeking relief from PTSD, anxiety, complex trauma, or past life stressors, Amanda’s EMDR intensives in Scottsdale provide a safe, structured, and highly effective environment for transformation.
EMDR Therapy for Birth Trauma in Scottsdale, AZ
Childbirth is life-changing—but for many, it’s also unexpectedly traumatic. Whether your delivery was physically complicated, emotionally overwhelming, or simply didn’t go as planned, you may still feel the impact long after birth. At BrainBody Wellness Counseling in Scottsdale, AZ, we specialize in EMDR therapy for birth trauma to help you heal, find relief, and reconnect with yourself and your baby.
Our licensed EMDR therapist, Amanda Nomicos, LPC (Certified in Perinatal Mental Health), provides both traditional EMDR sessions and EMDR Intensives for accelerated healing. EMDR is a proven, trauma-focused therapy that helps reprocess distressing memories so they no longer feel “stuck” or overwhelming.
We Support:
Postpartum PTSD and anxiety
Emotional numbness or disconnection after birth
Flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or panic attacks
Grief, guilt, or sadness following delivery
Whether you’re seeking gentle, weekly support or a focused intensive, Amanda offers compassionate care tailored to your needs.
📞 Schedule a free consultation today and take the first step toward reclaiming peace, resilience, and emotional balance after a difficult birth.
The EMDR Process
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Birth is often described as beautiful, but for many parents, it can also be overwhelming, frightening, or even traumatic. Complications during delivery, emergency interventions, feelings of loss of control, or medical trauma can leave lasting emotional scars. This is known as birth trauma, and it can lead to symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, intrusive memories, or difficulties bonding with your baby.
At BrainBody Wellness Counseling in Scottsdale, AZ, we specialize in helping new mothers and parents heal from birth trauma using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is an evidence-based trauma therapy that helps the brain safely reprocess distressing memories so they no longer feel overwhelming.
Unlike talk therapy alone, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, sounds, or tapping) to engage both hemispheres of the brain, reducing the emotional intensity of traumatic memories while allowing healthier, adaptive beliefs to take root.
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1. History Taking and Treatment Planning
Your therapist will gather background information about your birth experience, current symptoms, and any other relevant history. Together, you’ll identify specific traumatic memories related to your childbirth or postpartum experience that will become the focus of EMDR.
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2. Preparation
Before processing traumatic memories, your therapist will teach you grounding and coping skills (like mindfulness, safe-place imagery, or relaxation techniques). This ensures you feel safe and supported throughout the process.
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3. Assessment
Here, you’ll identify the target memory from your birth trauma, including:
The disturbing image or moment
The negative belief it created (e.g., “I’m powerless” or “My body failed me”)
Emotions and physical sensations tied to the memory
You’ll also choose a positive belief you want to hold instead (e.g., “I am strong,” “I did my best”).
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4. Desensitization
This is where bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or tones) is introduced. As you recall the memory, your brain begins reprocessing the trauma. Over time, the emotional distress decreases, and the memory becomes less overwhelming.
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5. Installation
Once the traumatic memory feels less distressing, the therapist helps you strengthen the positive belief chosen earlier. For birth trauma, this could mean internalizing new beliefs such as “I am safe now,” “I am resilient,” or “I am a good parent.”
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6. Body Scan
Because trauma often lives in the body, you’ll check for any lingering physical sensations (like tightness, nausea, or tension). If any remain, the therapist uses EMDR techniques to help release them, so both your mind and body feel at peace.
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7. Closure
At the end of each session, your therapist ensures you leave feeling grounded and stable. If a memory wasn’t fully processed, tools learned in the preparation phase are used to manage lingering emotions until the next session.
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8. Reevaluation
At the beginning of future sessions, progress is reviewed. Your therapist checks whether the distress around your birth trauma has decreased and whether new memories or beliefs have emerged that may also need attention.
“I spent years in traditional talk therapy… but nothing truly shifted until I started EMDR at BrainBody. It completely changed my life. I didn’t realize that just talking about my trauma wasn’t enough - EMDR helped me process it in a whole new way. I recommend it to everyone now.”
- Previous Client
Steps to Get Started
Schedule a Free Treatment Consultation. Self-schedule your free 10-minute treatment consultation with Amanda Nomicos LPC. If you don’t see her name available on the self-schedule website, please contact us as this means her availability is limited and we can provide times or put you on her waitlist.
Schedule your intake. A variety of questions about your history and current goals will be discussed. You will start to create what is called a “target sequence plan” to process during EMDR treatment
Complete Follow-up Sessions and Find Clarity Peace and Resilience. You will work with your clinician for an extended period depending on your choice. You will have restroom and snack breaks during the intensive.