I had a history of trauma and abuse, then more recently I went through a traumatic event where I ended up watching someone close to me lose their infant son in delivery. When I found out I had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, somone suggested I try EMDR with Carolyn Heppner. I was skeptical at first because I felt like I had tried everything and although I was very doubtful that anything could help me at this point, I had nothing to lose so I decided to give it a shot.

Within the first couple sessions with Carolyn, I knew I liked her. She was very easy to talk to, non-judgemental and very supportive. As soon as we started EMDR I knew I had found the right therapy and the right counsellor for me. I quickly went from being completely hopeless to believing that I could finally be “fixed.” With every session I had with Carolyn, I left feeling as though 1000 pounds of negativity had been lifted off my shoulders. Most of my drives home afterwards I spent in tears. Tears of hopefulness and relief.

During my therapy I found out I was pregnant. Despite being overwhelmingly happy about my pregnancy it also triggered a lot of bad memories from my past. With Carolyn’s help I made it through my pregnancy stress-free. She worked with me giving me the tools I needed to stay positive and in the right mindset throughout my pregnancy and during labour. Her counselling made a huge impact. I am now the mother of a healthy, amazing baby girl.

I cannot say enough positive things about Carolyn. I am now a firm believer in EMDR and have been known to actively lobby for it when I hear of a friend or a friend’s friend that is struggling with some traumatic events in their life or some past hurt. I feel like one of EMDR’s poster children. I am writing this letter thinking of myself and how I was in the past. On top of dealing with the trauma I have learned how to effectively communicate, how to deal with stress and future hurt.

To those of you struggling with trauma and considering counselling, never give up, things sometimes seem too hard to overcome but I assure you from personal experience, nothing is bad enough to hold you down. I no longer feel forever broken. If I can do this, so can you. 🙂