EMDR Childhood Trauma Therapy Murray UT

You’ve tried everything. The sticker charts, the deep breaths, the endless talks. But your child is still struggling. Maybe they’re having angry outbursts that seem to come out of nowhere. Or maybe they’re quiet and withdrawn, and you just can’t seem to reach them. You feel that pit in your stomach, that feeling of being helpless while the child you love is in pain. I see it all the time with families here in Murray. And so many of them are making one huge mistake without even realizing it.

This article is going to show you what that mistake is. More importantly, it’s going to show you a different path. A path that has helped so many kids finally break free from the weight of their past. We’ll talk about what childhood trauma really does to a child’s brain and why some of the most common advice just doesn’t work. I’ll also share a little story about a family right here in our community who found hope when they thought all was lost.

I remember a mom and dad who came to see me, they were at their wits’ end. Their son, a bright 10-year-old, had become terrified of dogs after a neighbor’s golden retriever, who was just playing, knocked him over. He couldn’t walk past that house, he had nightmares, and he started refusing to play outside. His parents told him over and over, “It was an accident, you’re safe now.” But it didn’t help. They were making the number one mistake, and it wasn’t their fault. They just didn’t know there was another way.

The Biggest Mistake: Believing “Time Heals All Wounds”

The biggest mistake I see loving, well-meaning parents make is thinking that with enough time, a bad memory will just fade away. We all want to believe that. But when it comes to childhood trauma, the brain doesn’t always work like that. Traumatic experiences can actually change how a child’s brain develops. Instead of fading, the memory gets “stuck” with all the emotions, sights, and sounds that came with it. For kids here in Murray, that can look like sudden meltdowns, unexplained fears, or trouble focusing at school. It’s not a behavior problem, it’s a brain problem. The memory is trapped, and time isn’t making it better, it’s just cementing it in place.

What’s Really Going On? When Memories Get Trapped

So if time doesn’t fix it, what does? This is where EMDR comes in. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, which is a complicated way of saying it helps the brain “digest” a stuck memory. Think of it like this: your brain has a filing cabinet for memories. Most memories get filed away neatly. But traumatic ones are like a crumpled, messy piece of paper shoved in the front of the drawer, and every time you open it, that messy paper falls out. EMDR uses something called bilateral stimulation—like following a light with your eyes or holding tappers that gently buzz in your hands—to help your brain smooth out that crumpled memory and file it away in the right place. The National Institute of Health says that psychotherapy like EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories, so they lose their power. The memory is still there, but it no longer brings up all that fear and pain.

How EMDR Helps Kids in a Way Talk Therapy Can’t

For adults, just talking about a problem can be incredibly healing. But for kids, especially little ones, it’s different. They often dont have the words to describe what they’re feeling. Asking them to “talk about it” can sometimes even make things worse. This is why EMDR is so amazing for children. We don’t just sit and talk. We use play. We might use drawing, sand trays, or story-telling to access the memory in a way that feels safe and even fun. It’s not about forcing them to relive a scary event. It’s about letting them process it in their own language—the language of play. The Mayo Clinic notes that different therapies work for different people, and for kids, a method that goes beyond words is often the key to unlocking true healing and restoring their confidence and sense of safety in the world.

What Does EMDR for a Child Actually Look Like in Murray?

If you’re considering EMDR for your child here at our Murray office, you might be picturing something intense or scary. It’s not like that at all. The entire process is gentle and led by your child. We start by building a strong, trusting relationship. We create a “calm place” in their imagination that they can go to anytime they feel overwhelmed. We never push them into a memory they aren’t ready to work on. The child is always in control. It’s a collaborative journey we take together to help them feel more powerful than their scariest memories. You are not alone in this. If you’re seeing the signs of trapped trauma in your child, it’s time to try a new approach. Contact us today for a consultation at our Murray, UT office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does EMDR really work for childhood trauma?

Yes, it’s very effective. EMDR is designed to help the brain process “stuck” memories that are common with trauma. For kids, it means we can work through these things without them having to talk in detail about what happened, which can be really helpful.

What makes EMDR a good therapy for childhood trauma?

It’s great for kids because it doesn’t just rely on talking. We use creative and play-based activities that feel natural to a child. This helps them process difficult feelings and memories in a way that feels safe and manageable.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t do EMDR?

EMDR is safe for most people, but a good therapist will always do a thorough assessment first. The most important thing is having a strong, trusting relationship with the therapist before starting the memory processing work.

My child seemed to get worse after an EMDR session, is that normal?

Sometimes, after processing a difficult memory, a child might feel a bit stirred up for a day or two. This is often a sign that the brain is continuing to work through things. We always teach kids calming skills to use, and it’s important to let your therapist know so they can help. It’s usually a temporary step in the healing process.