Patricia Rotsztain LMHC, ACC-ICF, EMDR clinician

We all have invisible wounds. Because others cannot see those wounds, sometimes they can rub them and we feel pain. Sometimes we can rub theirs and cause them pain. Therapy is a way to heal our wounds so that we stop reacting to the past in our present. When a relationship doesn't meet our needs, we can feel resentful, guilty or unseen. Sometimes love is not enough, and we have to actively work on learning how to give and receive love in ways that meet both partner's needs

We form our self-esteem based on how our parents or caregivers look at us, meet our needs, and take care of us when we are little. Then we continue to add pieces as we interact with kids at school, teachers, and other important figures. If we felt unseen, if our feelings didn't matter, if we were humiliated, ignored, neglected, or abused, we unconsciously explain that as "I am unworthy" or "unlovable" and that means "I don't deserve". Therapy can help you build a healthy self-esteem

Over 95% of what we do is handled by our unconscious mind. We may consciously decide that we are going to eat healthy, not get angry, stop procrastinating, and then end up doing something different. We may have no clue about how or why we are feeling anxious, sad, or unhappy. All of that is because our unconscious mind has no concept of time so it directs us to react to the present as if it were the past. That is why it is crucial to engage that part of our mind to produce lasting change

Did you know that unprocessed traumatic memories are physically locked in the brain? EMDR therapy can help you reprocess these memories by activating the natural mechanisms in your brain that store the past in the past. This works for big traumatic experiences like abuse, violence or accidents, and also for the “small t” trauma that goes unnoticed under the radar but causes anxiety, negative thoughts, fears, insecurities, low self esteem

Therapy is not a "one size fits all". Each person is unique and has different experiences, needs and hurts. I approach therapy from the premise that the only agenda is the client's wellbeing. Through a relationship between therapist and client that is based on trust, unconditional acceptance and respect, clients can heal their emotional wounds and learn new ways of relating, thinking, and behaving that are aligned with their personal values and coherent with who they truly are.