Inside an EMDR Intensive for the Postpartum Mom
You imagined a soft landing into motherhood — sleepy cuddles, quiet mornings, a new rhythm you’d eventually find. But instead, something inside you never fully settled.
You’ve moved past the blur of postpartum, yet your body still remembers every detail: the panic, the loss of control, the moments you wish had gone differently. Maybe it was the birth itself, a NICU stay, or the hollow ache that followed when everyone else seemed to move on but you stayed stuck in the replay.
You tell yourself you should be grateful, that it’s been months (or years), but gratitude doesn’t quiet the anxiety or guilt that rises out of nowhere. Underneath all of that, you just want to feel different. You long for calm, the ability to be more present, and to feel more like yourself again.
When Motherhood Feels Nothing Like You Imagined
Motherhood wasn’t supposed to feel like this. You never imagined the tightness in your chest, the flood of memories when you hear another baby cry, the way joy feels just out of reach. You might look at other moms and wonder how they seem so at ease. You love your baby, and at the same time, you miss yourself.
It’s not that you aren’t trying hard enough or that you’re failing as a mother. Your body and mind are still holding the story of what happened, the fear, the loss of control, the moments where you felt unheard or unseen. It’s holding on to the trauma.
Healing begins when there’s finally space to tend to that story instead of pushing it away. You deserve a place where your experience is taken seriously and met with care, not judgment.
What Makes an EMDR Intensive Different
Weekly therapy can be supportive, but sometimes the pace of an hour just isn’t enough when your body is carrying this much. An EMDR Intensive offers something different. You can feel supported with uninterrupted time and a steady, safe rhythm that helps your system truly exhale.
In this space, we move slowly. Before we ever touch the harder moments, we spend time helping your body feel grounded and safe. We use gentle tools like breathing, orientation to the room, and resourcing so your nervous system has support.
Then, with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), we work together to process the memories and beliefs that keep pulling you back into the past. Many moms describe it as their body finally realizing, “I’m not there anymore. I’m here. I’m safe.”
What It’s Like Inside an EMDR Intensive
When you walk into my office in Dublin, Ohio, you’re greeted by warmth — soft light, a calm space, and a place where you can set down what you’ve been carrying. You’ll have water, snacks, and planned breaks. You’re allowed to be human, to pause, to breathe.
We begin by talking about what brings you in and what you hope might feel different. Together, we create a plan that honors your story and your pace.
Let’s imagine someone like Sarah (a composite of many clients). She came in feeling anxious and ashamed that she couldn’t stop thinking about her birth. “It’s like my body still thinks it’s happening,” she said.
In her EMDR Intensive, we started with grounding and resourcing. As we moved into the harder pieces of her story, she noticed her body responding differently. The same memories felt less overwhelming. Her chest softened. Her breathing deepened.
“It’s like I finally made peace with what happened.”
— Sarah (composite of many clients)This is the heart of the work. The memories may still be there, but they no longer run the show. Your body can recognize that the danger has passed, and you are here now. You can have the memories of the event (birth or postpartum) without the distress that usually follows the memory.
The Healing That Follows
After an EMDR Intensive, moms often describe feeling:
• Calmer in their bodies
• Less flooded by memories or what-ifs
• More connected to their babies and partners
• Less guilt and self-blame about how birth or postpartum unfolded
• A little more like themselves again
It’s not about forgetting what happened or pretending it was okay. It’s about loosening the grip those moments have had on your everyday life.
Healing might look like feeding your baby without panic, noticing you can fall asleep without the replay, or feeling a small spark of joy when your baby smiles. These shifts may sound simple, but for a nervous system that has been on high alert, they are meaningful signs of change.
Finding Your Way Back to Yourself
If part of you has been whispering, “I can’t keep feeling this way,” that’s a tender and important signal. It doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means something in you is ready for change.
The EMDR Intensive for the Postpartum Mama is designed for women who feel stuck in the pain of a difficult birth, NICU stay, or postpartum experience and are longing for peace. Together, we create a safe, supported space to process what happened so you can move through your days with more calm, connection, and self-trust.
I offer EMDR Intensives in person in Central Ohio (Dublin and surrounding areas) and virtually for clients located anywhere in Ohio.
If your heart feels even a small yes, you’re welcome to learn more. Schedule a consultation here. I can’t wait to work with you.
Disclaimer
This blog is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Reading this does not create a therapist-client relationship. I provide therapy only to clients located in Ohio at the time of service. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or dial your local emergency number right away.