Attachment-Focused EMDR in San Francisco
EMDR for complex and developmental trauma
If you didn’t have the support you needed growing up
Attachment-Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR) is a form of trauma therapy that combines EMDR with a strong focus on attachment, resourcing, and the therapeutic relationship. It can be especially helpful when difficult experiences happened early in life or when there wasn’t a clear sense of safety and support to return to.
Before processing painful memories, we spend time developing resources you can draw on during the work and in your everyday life. These may include a peaceful place, nurturing, protective, or wise figures, and a wise, nurturing, or protective adult version of yourself. We pair these resources with bilateral tapping so they become easier to access when you need them.
When we begin processing a memory, part of the work is staying connected enough to the present that one part of you knows you’re here with me, even while another part is remembering what happened. If you get overwhelmed or start to disconnect, we slow down and use the resources we’ve developed to help you come back to the present. I’m actively involved throughout the process and will help if you get stuck.
Over time, a memory that once felt as if it were still happening can begin to feel like part of your history: something difficult or terrible that happened, but that is over now.
How Attachment-Focused EMDR is different
In AF-EMDR, developing internal resources is just as important as processing traumatic memories. This can be particularly useful if you didn’t have a strong sense of safety before the experiences you’re trying to work through.
The relationship between therapist and client is also part of the treatment. Rather than treating EMDR as a rigid protocol, I pay close attention to what you need during the work and adapt the process accordingly. We’re not only working toward feeling less affected by painful memories. We’re also strengthening your ability to feel supported, trust yourself, and feel less alone inside.
Interested in more concentrated trauma work?
If trauma symptoms are having a significant impact on your day-to-day life and you have the time and emotional resources for more concentrated work, I also offer AF-EMDR intensives. Intensives involve longer, more frequent sessions over a shorter period of time.
A few common questions about AF-EMDR
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No. I use bilateral stimulation through self-tapping or, for in-person sessions, handheld pulsers.
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Regular therapy sessions are 50 minutes. When we’re doing trauma processing, I often recommend 75-minute sessions so there’s more time to work through the material and finish the session feeling grounded. My fee is $250 for 50 minutes and $375 for 75 minutes.
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Yes. AF-EMDR can be done through telehealth for clients located in California, Illinois, and Nevada.
Ready to talk?
Fill out my contact form with a little about what you’re looking for. I’ll reach out to schedule a free 10–15 minute consultation so we can talk briefly about what’s bringing you to therapy and you can ask any questions you have. If you’d like to move forward, we’ll schedule your first session, usually within the next week