Trauma Therapy Phoenix

You are not alone. Trauma can be passed through our family generations- even when others have the best intentions.

Trauma Therapy in Phoenix-

Break Free from Family Patterns and Reclaim Your Voice

Another family holiday. Another round of stuffing it all down—your feelings, your voice, and that sad, flavorless slice of meat that’s somehow the centerpiece every year. You love these people, you really do. But sitting in that room sometimes feels like you’re underwater, just trying to keep your head up while everyone’s passive-aggressive comments pull you under.

It’s like clockwork: someone makes a passive-aggressive comment, boundaries are ignored left and right, and instead of addressing the discomfort, everyone just… keeps going. Eating. Drinking. Pretending it’s all okay. And then there’s Aunt Susie, openly tearing into Cousin Margaret, degrading her with such ease it’s like it’s all part of the meal plan. And what happens next? We serve up the pie, glossing over the fact that someone just had their self-worth completely torn to shreds. It’s painful to watch, but it’s even more painful when it lingers and gnaws away at how you see yourself.

You’re craving something different—a life that feels like it’s actually yours. You want a voice that doesn’t echo back with your mother’s judgmental questions: “Are you really going to eat that?” But how do you move past something so deep, something that’s practically carved into you?

Feeling Drained by Toxic Family Dynamics? Therapy Can Help

Maybe it’s not every day, but these gatherings leave a mark. You’ve tried to brush it off, tried to just “be the bigger person.” But this last one? It was too much. Your mom’s subtle dig kept echoing, and the next day, it was like her voice had become your inner critic. You found yourself doubting choices that normally wouldn’t faze you. That’s when it hit you: it’s time for a change. So, you finally Googled, “how to stop feeling trapped by my family’s toxicity.” And there it was—therapy.

Starting therapy could be like finally stepping out into fresh air, exhaling after years of holding your breath at family events. Therapy offers a place to say what you’ve been thinking all along, without judgment. And then there’s EMDR therapy—a therapy that goes a step beyond just talking about the problem. With EMDR, you’re not just talking about the past; you’re actively processing it. EMDR helps untangle those family patterns that have clung to you for so long, releasing their hold on how you see yourself

How EMDR Therapy Can Help You Actively Process and Release Old Patterns

Imagine going into a memory, even one that makes your chest feel tight, and walking back out with a new perspective—one that doesn’t leave you feeling small, unheard, or like something is wrong with you. EMDR takes you through past experiences and clears the clutter they leave behind. It’s like finding a path back to your authentic voice, one that’s strong enough to stand firm, even in those family dynamics.

Who I Am and How I Help with Trauma Therapy Using EMDR

Kandace trauma therapist phoenix — EMDR Therapy Phoenix - Kandace Ledergerber.
Photo description: White woman with short curly hair smiling at the viewer in a field with greenery, wearing a navy blue tank top with sunflowers.

My name is Kandace (she/her), and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified EMDR Therapist, and Registered Yoga Teacher*. I am a trauma therapist that works with high-achieving, Type A women who are ready to break free from family patterns, people-pleasing, and the weight of old trauma. Together, we’ll create a compassionate space where you’re not just exploring the past but actively reshaping your present. With EMDR therapy, we’ll work to uncover, process, and release the lingering impacts of trauma and family toxicity, creating room for a life that feels truly yours.

If you’re ready to finally silence those old voices, reclaim your own, and start living with more peace and purpose, reach out for a free 15-minute consultation. Click below to begin your journey toward a life that’s calm, fulfilling, and authentically you.

*Please see this page to understand more about the roots of the yoga I have been trained in, the impact of colonial violence, and my intentions.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma Therapy in Phoenix

While all therapists are trained to support people through various mental health issues, a trauma therapist specializes in helping individuals work through and heal from traumatic experiences. Trauma therapists often have additional training in specific therapies designed to address the complex ways trauma impacts the brain and body. This could include therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Brainspotting, or Somatic Experiencing. They’re skilled in recognizing trauma’s physical, emotional, and psychological impacts and creating a safe, structured environment to process and heal these deep-rooted experiences.
A general therapist might help with broad issues like stress, anxiety, or relationship challenges, while a trauma therapist specifically addresses how past trauma affects someone’s current life, reactions, and overall mental health.
There are several effective therapies for trauma, each backed by research and widely used by trauma therapists. Here are a few of the most effective types:
- EMDR Therapy: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is highly regarded for trauma treatment. It helps individuals process traumatic memories in a way that can reduce the emotional and physical distress tied to those memories. EMDR is particularly effective for PTSD and complex trauma.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: IFS, also known as "parts work," helps people heal by identifying and working with different "parts" of themselves that developed as responses to trauma. IFS offers a gentle approach, allowing individuals to work with their inner world at their own pace, bringing peace to painful memories and freeing up outdated coping mechanisms without needing to relive traumatic experiences directly.
- Somatic Therapies: Approaches like Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy focus on releasing trauma stored in the body. These therapies work on the idea that trauma often creates physical tension or pain, which needs to be addressed to heal fully.
The best therapy for trauma depends on the individual, their unique experiences, and even their personality. A trauma therapist can help determine the best approach based on what the person feels comfortable with and what aligns with their healing goals.
The success rate of trauma therapy can vary based on the type of therapy, the person’s specific trauma, and the duration of treatment. However, many evidence-based trauma therapies, such as EMDR and Trauma-Focused CBT, have high success rates. Research has shown that EMDR, for example, can reduce PTSD symptoms for about 70–90% of people after 6–12 sessions. Other approaches like Somatic Experiencing and prolonged exposure therapy also show significant improvement in trauma symptoms for a large percentage of participants.
Success in trauma therapy also depends on what “success” means for the individual. For some, it’s a decrease in symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares. For others, success might look like feeling more connected, grounded, and able to respond to life without constantly feeling triggered. The personal experience of success is often a gradual but deeply rewarding process.
Trauma therapy is definitely worth it for those struggling with the lingering impacts of trauma. While therapy requires time, emotional energy, and sometimes financial commitment, it offers a unique opportunity to reprocess painful experiences in a safe environment. Trauma therapy can help individuals reduce symptoms like anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and relationship difficulties, ultimately allowing them to live with more ease, connection, and joy.
Many people report that trauma therapy helps them reclaim parts of their life they thought were lost or unreachable. For those haunted by past events or trapped in survival mode, trauma therapy can be life-changing, providing tools and insights that enable them to move forward rather than feeling stuck in the past. The investment often yields a future where individuals feel more like their authentic selves—safe, empowered, and at peace.