For someone grappling with relationship issues stemming from relational trauma, the world of interpersonal connections can feel like a minefield. There's often a pervasive sense of wariness, a subconscious belief that getting close to someone inevitably leads to hurt or betrayal. This mindset can manifest in various ways: a constant scrutiny of others' intentions, a fear of vulnerability, or an overwhelming urge to withdraw at the slightest hint of conflict or intimacy. Even in moments of apparent calm, there's an undercurrent of doubt and insecurity, making it challenging to fully relax and be present in relationships.
Yet, amidst this turmoil, there remains a glimmer of hope. With support, therapy, and time, it's possible to navigate these turbulent waters and find a path to healthier relationships.
Overcome issues with trust and intimacy by addressing underlying traumas through integrative EMDR therapy.
In our therapeutic practice, we recognize the profound impact that relational trauma and betrayal can have on an individual's self-esteem and their ability to maintain close relationships. Utilizing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), our therapists address the deep-rooted emotional scars left by such experiences. Often, these traumatic events lead to a significant erosion of self-worth and trust, not just in others but also in oneself. This diminished sense of self-esteem can manifest as a tendency to push people away, driven by a fear of repeated hurt and a protective mechanism against vulnerability.
In addition to EMDR, our therapists employ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques, which are pivotal in counteracting the negative thought patterns and self-perceptions that relational trauma often ingrains. These techniques help individuals to rebuild their self-esteem and learn healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. In therapy, clients are provided a supportive space to explore how betrayal and trauma have shaped their self-view and impacted their relationships. The goal is to guide them through a process of healing, not only to recover from past wounds but to cultivate a stronger, more positive sense of self. This renewed self-perception is crucial for opening up to others and forming healthy, trusting relationships in the future. Through this integrated therapeutic approach, clients embark on a journey towards regaining their self-esteem and relearning how to connect with others in meaningful and fulfilling ways.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Hoffenberg helps clients heal attachment wounds rooted in early experiences of neglect, abandonment, or feeling unloved. Using advanced training in Relational EMDR and a trauma-informed, person-centered approach, she works to reprocess painful memories and break patterns like codependency and emotional disconnection. Her compassionate style supports clients in rebuilding trust, forming secure relationships, and creating lasting, meaningful connection.
Read More about Dr. Hoffenberg
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Yunusova is a skilled therapist specializing in relationship issues and couples therapy, helping clients overcome insecurities and the tendency to push others away. Using EMDR, trauma-informed care, and CBT, she helps uncover and heal the root causes of these patterns while reshaping negative thought cycles. Her supportive, integrative approach empowers individuals and couples to build trust, embrace vulnerability, and create deeper, more meaningful connections.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Citrin specializes in fear of intimacy, particularly helping men who struggle with commitment and emotional vulnerability. Using EMDR, trauma-informed care, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), she helps clients uncover and process the root causes of trust issues, fear of getting hurt, and difficulty expressing emotions. Her supportive, practical approach empowers individuals to break unhealthy patterns and build deeper, more meaningful relationships.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Zala helps clients understand how early experiences of rejection and dependency shape patterns of fear, unworthiness, and difficulty with intimacy. Using EMDR, trauma-informed care, and psychoanalytic insight, she works to uncover and heal the root causes of these patterns. Her approach empowers clients to build trust, embrace vulnerability, and develop more secure, fulfilling relationships.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Andrew Curreri specializes in working with individuals whose fear of intimacy and fear of rejection are rooted in past trauma. Many of his clients have experienced emotional neglect, abandonment, betrayal, or other interpersonal wounds that have made closeness feel unsafe. With deep expertise in trauma-informed care, Dr. Curreri integrates Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients process these formative experiences and begin to dismantle the protective strategies—such as emotional withdrawal, perfectionism, or people-pleasing—that were once adaptive but now limit connection.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Micah Zylstra is a trusted expert in relationship and attachment therapy, helping individuals and couples better understand the deeper forces shaping their patterns in connection. He works collaboratively with clients to uncover the root causes and subconscious beliefs that often drive cycles of conflict, insecurity, or disconnection. With a specialized focus on fear of abandonment and trust issues—often rooted in past trauma—Dr. Zylstra guides clients toward greater self-awareness, emotional security, and healthier, more fulfilling relationships.
Many individuals struggling with relationship and trust issues may not realize that these challenges often stem from childhood or relational traumas. When they seek help, they have typically explored various therapies, which might have provided temporary relief but did not fully resolve their deeper struggles with trust and intimacy in relationships. This is where Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be particularly beneficial. EMDR targets the root causes of relationship and trust issues, reaching beyond the limitations of traditional therapy methods that often focus only on immediate relational dynamics.
EMDR delves into traumatic memories and negative beliefs, frequently originating from early life experiences or past relationships, which play a crucial role in shaping one's approach to trust and intimacy. By processing these past experiences, individuals can begin to develop healthier perspectives on relationships and rebuild their ability to trust. Research has supported the effectiveness of EMDR in addressing issues related to trust and relationships. Studies published in psychological journals have demonstrated that EMDR can significantly alleviate the impact of childhood and relational traumas that contribute to trust issues. EMDR's ability to disrupt and reframe the negative associations stemming from emotional pain and adverse relational experiences is key in enabling individuals to foster healthy relationships and a renewed capacity for trust.
Remove the barriers to a healthy relationship, rebuild trust, and heal attachment wounds caused by trauma with EMDR therapy.
