Why do some reactions feel so much bigger than the situation? A small disagreement, a forgotten detail, or a casual comment—and suddenly you’re overwhelmed. These disproportionate responses often have roots in childhood trauma and unmet needs.
I recently joined Marie Vakakis on This Complex Life podcast to unpack how early emotional experiences continue to shape us as adults, and how therapies like EMDR can support recovery.
Key insights from our conversation included:
- Trauma isn’t just about what happened to you, but also what was absent—like safety, delight, or encouragement.
- Unmet needs create “shaky scaffolding” that affects self-worth and relationships in adulthood.
- EMDR therapy helps strengthen internal resources while processing old pain.
- Healing often involves making the “invisible visible”—noticing patterns, triggers, and beliefs that formed long ago.
At Centre Self Collective, our EMDR Immersive Programs provide a concentrated, evidence-based approach to this work. Our Immersive programs are designed to provide a safe, compassionate space to do this work. We focus on helping you notice patterns, gently process what’s been carried for too long, and build new ways of feeling safe and worthy in the present.
To explore these ideas further, you can listen to the episode here: Listen on Spotify.
If you’d like to find out whether an EMDR immersive program is right for you, we invite you to book an enquiry call. Hannah, our Admin and Client Support Officer, will be your first point of contact and can guide you through the next steps.