If you’ve ever found yourself snapping at your teen over something small—only to later think, Why did I overreact like that?—you’re not alone. Many parents are carrying emotional baggage from the past that’s quietly influencing how they respond today. That’s where EMDR therapy for parents comes in. This powerful, evidence-based approach helps reprocess unresolved trauma so it stops hijacking your parenting—and lets you show up with more calm, clarity, and confidence.
In our latest Parenting Shrink Wrapped episode, we’re joined by trauma therapist Kristen Keuleman to explore how EMDR therapy for parents can be a game-changer in breaking old patterns, calming the nervous system, and parenting with more presence and less reactivity.
What is EMDR, Exactly?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps people reprocess traumatic memories so they stop triggering the fight-or-flight response.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require clients to relive their trauma or even talk much about it. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation (like alternating taps or eye movements) to help the brain refile emotional memories—moving them from raw, reactive experiences into the “regular memory” filing cabinet.
How Trauma Shows Up in Parenting
As Kristen explains in the episode, trauma isn’t just “big T” events like accidents or violence. “Little t” trauma—like childhood emotional neglect or a traumatic birth experience—can linger in the body and influence how we parent.
💥 A past experience of being ignored might turn into a deep fear that your teen is pulling away.
💥 A sense of failure from early motherhood might morph into perfectionism.
💥 Unprocessed grief can make everyday stress feel unbearable.
And when our nervous systems are activated, calm parenting goes out the window. EMDR helps address those root experiences so that you can respond to your child instead of reacting from past pain.
Key Takeaways from the Episode:
- EMDR therapy helps people process trauma without needing to relive every painful detail.
- It’s highly effective for parents whose past experiences are interfering with their present parenting.
- EMDR works for teens too—especially those struggling with anxiety, social fears, or past bullying.
- A calm nervous system = calmer parenting. Yes, it’s possible.
- The therapy includes installing strengths and calm memories—not just digging up hard stuff.
Why This Matters for Parents of Teens
Teenagers can be triggering. They challenge boundaries, test independence, and push buttons you didn’t know you had. When parents carry unprocessed trauma, those moments can feel overwhelming or even retraumatizing.
By working through trauma with EMDR, parents can begin to heal old wounds, reduce anxiety, and show up with more emotional availability—and fewer outbursts.
As Kristen put it: “There isn’t a parent alive who hasn’t been triggered by their child.” The good news? You don’t have to stay stuck in old patterns.
Listen to the Full Episode
🎧 Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Episode 29: EMDR and Trauma with Kristen Keuleman
Related Blog Posts from TeenSavvyCoaching.com:
- Hormones and Mental Health: What Every Parent Should Know
- Parenting While Being Parented: The Sandwich Generation
- The LOVED Framework: How to Handle “You Screwed Up” Moments
Want more support as you navigate the emotional rollercoaster of raising teens?
Check out the Teen Savvy Parent Hub—a membership community full of expert advice, real-talk support, and strategies that actually work for parents of teens and tweens.
👉 Learn more and join today
Leave a Reply