Trauma-Focused Interventions

At Pembroke Psychological Services, trauma-informed care is an important part of our work. Trauma can affect thoughts, emotions, relationships, and the body. Our clinicians use specialized, evidence-based approaches to support safe and effective processing of traumatic experiences.

Treatment is always paced carefully, with a focus on safety, stabilization, and readiness.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a structured therapy that helps the brain process distressing or traumatic experiences so they feel less overwhelming over time.

Often helpful for: trauma, PTSD, and distressing memories.

TF-CBT supports individuals—particularly children and youth—in understanding trauma responses, building coping skills, and gradually processing difficult experiences in a safe and supported way.

Often helpful for: trauma symptoms in children, youth, and families.

Brainspotting is a focused, trauma-informed approach that uses eye position and body awareness to access and process deeply held emotional experiences.

Often helpful for: trauma, anxiety, and emotional blocks.

Somatic Therapies (Including Somatic Experiencing)

Somatic therapies focus on how trauma and stress are held in the body and nervous system. These approaches help clients develop awareness of physical sensations, regulate physiological responses, and restore a sense of safety.

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a specialized approach within this area that works with the body’s natural responses to trauma to release stored survival responses and support nervous system regulation.

Dr. Henson has specialized training in Somatic Experiencing and may incorporate this approach into treatment when appropriate.

Often helpful for: trauma, chronic stress, anxiety, and nervous system dysregulation.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

CPT is a structured cognitive therapy that helps individuals examine and shift unhelpful beliefs related to trauma. It focuses on how trauma can impact thoughts about safety, trust, control, and self-worth.

Often helpful for: PTSD, trauma-related beliefs, and cognitive patterns following trauma.

Prolonged Exposure (PE)

Prolonged Exposure is an evidence-based therapy that helps individuals gradually approach trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations they may be avoiding. Over time, this reduces distress and helps restore a sense of control.

Often helpful for: PTSD, avoidance, and trauma-related anxiety.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT / Tapping)

Emotional Freedom Technique combines elements of cognitive therapy with gentle tapping on specific points of the body. It is used to reduce emotional distress and support regulation.

Often helpful for: anxiety, stress, trauma-related distress, and emotional overwhelm.

Often helpful for: trauma, PTSD, chronic stress, emotional overwhelm, and persistent nervous system dysregulation.