How Trauma Informed Therapy Can Help You At Work

We identified specific ways that trauma-informed therapy can help you at work. At EMDR and Trauma Therapy Center, our therapists and staff are all trained in trauma-informed care. We use principles of collaboration, macro-perspectives, client-centered approaches (yes, even with EMDR ), and commitment to minimize power dynamics in the therapy space.

  • Address systemic oppression dynamics impacting concentration and focus;

  • Develop a nervous system-focused treatment plan;

  • Strengthen interpersonal skills;

  • Improve self-confidence in occupational role;

  • Gain tools to face triggers in the workplace;

  • Develop a work-life balance;

  • Process negative experiences within the workplace without fear of retaliation.

  • Identify ways childhood patterns and traumas show up at work.

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Thriving In Unrealistic Expectations:

It’s common to get caught up in unrealistic expectations and to feel as though we are thriving in them, eventually it catches up to us.

It’s often rock bottom moments, or someone else like a therapist helping you understand the toxic cycle of following unrealistic expectations.

Breaking this cycle takes patience, time and boundaries.

Thriving in unrealistic expectations may look like:

  • Seeking external validation

  • Not trusting yourself

  • Difficulty making decisions

  • Feeling guilt & disappointment

  • Body feels exhausted

  • Always thinking ahead

  • Having internal self-talk that isn't yours

  • Prioritizing others often

Journal Prompts after a Traumatic Event

Journal Prompts after a Traumatic Event

These are in no particular order. Journaling is a great way to express what may be tucked away in the subconscious, and it can create relief of things survivors may not be ready to share.

-How am I feeling in this moment?

-What areas of my body need gentle and nonjudgmental attention?

-What are some questions I have about the incident?

-Who are people that help me feel safe?

-What are some fears that I am noticing because this happened? (may be new or long-ago fears)

-What do I wish I could tell others about how to support me?

Common Thoughts for Clients During EMDR

During the stimulation phase, you may wonder:

"Am I doing it right? "

It may feel like you are not "processing" correctly, but rest assured that your mind and body are aclimating to EMDR. We are used to therapy being a place to talk, and the stimulation phase allows the brain to do the healing, even if it feels awkward initially.

Allow yourself to relax as much as possible during this phase.

"I want to talk about what is coming up during the bilateral movements."

EMDR is a different approach than traditional talk therapy, and this element of the protocol is important to decrease interruptions while your brain is accessing the channels of associations.

"When am I going to start EMDR?"

EMDR is most known for it's bilateral stimulation phase, but EMDR is an 8 phased protocol and starts from the intake and assessment, Phase 1, usually session #1 or as soon as you consent to EMDR.

EMDR Myths for Therapists

Here are some of the most common core beliefs that present as EMDR Therapy myths.

When we are trained in EMDR, we feel very constrained and providing EMDR does not feel authentic to our style, which is why these beliefs are formed.

The more we consult with others, the more we are able to find our our script and style in providing this therapy approach.

I’m an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and help EMDR Therapists through their beliefs, finding their style, target selection/treatment planning & more.


1."I should be validating and processing during EMDR reprocessing, otherwise it feels like I'm a bad therapist."

Reality: There is less verbal interaction between client and therapist during many phases of EMDR due to the nature of the protocol. It does not mean you are a bad therapist, & you can validate and debrief at the end of the EMDR session.

2."I am the one trained in EMDR and know which target is best."

Reality: No.

Although we are trained in EMDR, we are not expert's of the client's life experiences, & it is important to collaborate with our clients for target selection to enhance rapport, which establishes the best outcome for therapy.

3."We need to select a target with a memory, otherwise we can't do EMDR."

Reality: Targets do not require a memory with an image. We can reprocess body sensations or beliefs that are bothersome or challenging for the client, but target's do not always have to be negative, we can process positive or neutral experiences as well.

Elements for Emotional Safety

These are few of the elements needed to experience emotional safety. When we experience harm in our lives due to trauma, our safety and perceived safety to others, and within ourselves gets disrupted.

It takes time, patience, a safe space, expression, and help to be able to build and create emotional safety around you…and it is possible.

We have wonderful therapists at our practice trained in emotional safety after the experience of trauma &/or difficult life experiences.

Tips for Graduate Students

Graduate students experience a lot of stressors (from family, academic pressures, practicum experience, systems of oppression & more). Ruth Castro ACSW, @mentalhealthruth & all colleagues at our practice specialize in working with undergraduate & graduate students. Ruth specifically has rates starting at $85/session and up to $150/session. These slots are limited.

In this image, Ruth Castro ACSW shares some factors that, had she known, would have been helpful for her. Oftentimes, grad students are in fight-flight-freeze-fawn mode & just trying to get through.

If you are interested in booking, or know someone that would benefit from a trauma-informed provider, contact us or send us a text/call at (818)963-6727.

Connecting With Those You Care About

Active listening may require teaching yourself some of these skills, especially when you come from households where you weren’t emotionally safe, where you weren’t heard, and essentially the opposite of these skills existed daily.

If this resonates, it’s normal for you to struggle actively listening and it’s also okay to start teaching yourself now.

Active listening helps us with the following:

✨reduced malentendidos (misunderstandings)

✨ builds trust + empathy

✨ resolves conflict

✨ reduces judgment

✨ creates an engaging conversation

& so much more.

What are other active listening skills you’ve learned that aren’t on this slide?

If you’re seeking for a therapist to help you through this, we got you! We can help you build these skills through short-term therapy as an option.

Contact us for a free consultation.