Kate Transforms Birth Trauma

Please explain the challenge you hoped to solve when working with Deborah (i.e., why you intially came to her for a session).

I had an emergency cesarean birth for my first son nearly three years ago, and I still had a lot of anger, sadness, and other emotions from that experience. I am pregnant with my second child now, and in preparing for this birth I really wanted to find some peace and let go of the pain and anger from my first birth experience.

What did Deborah do to assist with this problem?

Deborah used the EMDR technique with me, which is a system of pulses that somehow helps your brain to release emotions more quickly and thoroughly. I came to our session prepared with the specific moments from my experience that were most traumatic for me and the emotions connected with that. When I first arrived at Deborah’s office we spent a few minutes talking about my experience and then she had me go back the that moment and try to recall, silently, as many details as possible.

After a minute or so she asked me to tell her what I remembered. We continued to do that until I reached a positive memory, which was the moment I saw my son for the first time, and she told me to think about that memory for a few minutes and remember all of those details to seal that into my memory.

After I had gone through every detail of that experience, Deborah asked me how upsetting it was to think about now, and I was amazed to discover that I did not feel upset at all. I still remembered everything that had happened, but I now saw that the operation was a necessary experience to get me to the beautiful moment of meeting my son. It actually became a positive experience for me. I had a sense of peace about the birth experience, and an understanding that no one was to blame.

Deborah was very sensitive and insightful. I felt that she really understood where I was coming from, even with only a short amount of time together. I found her very easy to trust and open up to.

What specific benefits did you derive from working with Deborah?

Before meeting with Deborah, thinking or talking about my son’s birth was upsetting. It would often make me cry or become angry. After one session with Deborah I could think about and talk about my son’s birth without becoming upset. I was able to clear away the anger and pain stemming from the disappointment and trauma of that experience. I still remember everything that happened vividly, but I have a sense of peace and understanding that I never thought possible. I really have been able to put it behind me now.

While we worked to clear the negative emotions, Deborah helped me to seal the positive feelings from the experience. By clearing away those negative feelings, now the joyous memories from my son’s birth are more vivid. When I think about his birth now, I feel happy and remember the euphoria of meeting him for the first time.

I didn’t even realize how much those negative emotions and anger had affected my life and my relationships until I was able to release them. I walked out of that session feeling so free, like a huge weight had been lifted.

How quickly did you see and/or experience (feel) these benefits?

In one session I was able to clear the trauma. I never imagined that would have been possible in one session. I wish I had done it sooner. It was so effective that I returned for a second session to address some other traumas in my life.

Did you find other areas in which more subtle results were noted – possibly your personal relationships, business, professional life, finances, health, spirituality?

Clearing away the pain and anger from this experience had a dramatic affect on my relationships, especially with my husband. Deborah helped me to realize through this session that he was not to blame, and that the experience was difficult for him too. Clearing the anger and blame has brought us closer together. We communicate much better and argue less, overall we have a much happier and loving relationship. I didn’t even realize how much it had become between us until the anger was gone. How this session restored our marriage was priceless.

In general, how did Deborah affect your life in a positive manner?

I had tried traditional therapy to help me let go of the pain from my birth experience and to work on my relationships, with little success. Working with Deborah I was able to clear away the negative emotions from my traumatic experience and really move on. I now have a stronger marriage and fewer arguments with my family and friends. The beauty of my son’s birth is no longer clouded by negative emotions, and I am able to plan for my next birth experience without fear or baggage from my previous experience.

If you had two sentences to describe working with Deborah and the value she added to your life, what would they be?

Working with Deborah, I was able to clear the pain from my trauma incredibly fast and effectively. It is hard to believe it is possible, but I experienced it for myself. Being freed of this burden has improved my relationships, and made me a happier person.

No more will I let traumatic experiences impact my life as they did for the past three years. Now I know how quickly Deborah can help me clear them.