How Does EMDR Christian Counseling Integrate Faith and Trauma Recovery?
Life often feels like a series of heavy expectations, doesn’t it? You might be carrying the weight of past hurts while trying to maintain the appearance that everything is fine. For many of us, our faith is the bedrock of our lives, a source of comfort and guidance. But when trauma or chronic stress enters the picture, it can feel difficult to cope. Sometimes, it’s hard to reconcile our spiritual beliefs with the pain we are experiencing. You deserve a space where every part of you is welcome. That is why EMDR Christian counseling in Columbus, OH, is designed to honor your spiritual life while providing clinical, evidence-based support for deep healing.
It is completely normal to wonder how these two worlds, clinical psychology and personal faith, come together. You might worry that therapy will ignore your spiritual convictions, or conversely, that your faith means you shouldn't need therapy at all. I want to reassure you that there is a beautiful, harmonious middle ground. By integrating faith into EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), we can create a holistic path to recovery that nurtures your mind, body, and spirit.
Creating a Safe Space for Your Unique Faith Journey
One of the most important things to know is that your healing journey is yours alone. There is no "right" way to be a Christian in therapy, and there is no checklist you need to fulfill to be worthy of help. When we begin our work together, I start by asking questions to better understand your specific faith journey. I want to know: How do you personally understand the relationship between faith, emotional healing, and trauma recovery? Everyone’s walk with God looks different. Some people feel a close, comforting connection, while others might currently feel distant or confused due to the pain they are carrying.
I make sure to meet you exactly where you are. My goal is to incorporate your faith, however you would like. This isn’t about imposing a specific doctrine. It’s about finding the spiritual resources that already exist within you and using them to help you feel safe. For some, this looks like prayer before a session. Then, for others, it might mean discussing how scripture relates to your feelings of worthiness. And for some, it simply means knowing that your EMDR therapist shares a worldview that values the sanctity of your life and your restoration. You are in control, and we will move at a pace that feels safe and respectful to you.
How Faith Weaves into the Phases of EMDR
EMDR is a structured therapy that helps the brain process traumatic memories so they no longer cause distress. But how does faith fit into a clinical structure? The answer lies in the flexibility of the process. We can invite God into the healing work at every stage, depending on whether and when you want to incorporate it.
Finding Safety in the Preparation Phase
Before we ever touch the deep wounds of the past, we spend time in what we call the "preparation phase." This is all about gathering tools to help you feel safe in your body and knowing how to regulate your emotions and nervous system. If there are spiritual practices that you resonate with, we can add these into guided meditations during this phase. Imagine utilizing a "calm place" exercise where you visualize a location where you feel perfectly safe.
For many clients, this place includes the presence of Jesus or a sense of being surrounded by God’s creation. We can use scripture or prayer as a grounding anchor. This helps you learn to cope and experience a sense of peace before we move into the harder parts of EMDR. It grounds the clinical tools in the spiritual reality of God’s comfort.
Inviting Faith into Processing and Reprocessing
The core of EMDR (AIP) model involves processing the traumatic memories that are "stuck" in your nervous system. This is often where the deep work happens. It means that we can process your past stress or trauma by incorporating your faith directly into the processing. For example, trauma often leaves us with "cognitive distortions." These are the heavy lies we begin to believe about ourselves because of the difficult things we’ve endured. You might be struggling with a deep-seated belief like, "I am not worthy," or "I am unsafe." These are painful burdens to carry. Through the reprocessing phase, we can bring your faith into that space to challenge those lies.
As the logical and emotional sides of your brain begin to connect during EMDR, you can gently release the heavy feeling of "I am shameful." This process makes space for you to deeply know, in every part of your being, that "I am a beloved child of God." It is one thing to know this truth intellectually; it is another to feel it in your bones. EMDR helps you logically and emotionally feel those truths about yourself. We invite the Holy Spirit into those painful memories to offer a new perspective; one of compassion, protection, and love.
Addressing the Guilt: Is Faith Enough?
I often hear a whisper of guilt from the women I work with. There is a common misunderstanding that if they just had enough faith, the anxiety or trauma would go away. They may believe that they are not fully believing in God, as they "should" be able to heal through prayer and relying solely on God. They might think that if they just grow their relationship with Him, they will fully heal without outside help. I want to offer you a gentle reminder: That is not always the case, and needing help is not a sign of spiritual failure. Think of it this way: if you broke your leg, you would likely go to a doctor. You would pray for healing, yes, but you would also accept the cast and the physical therapy.
We view counseling the same way. Counseling is another tool, just like medicine, created to help as an additional resource for healing, renewal, and restoration. God wants all people to be able to experience healing, and He provides professionals to help guide us there. Your faith plays a huge role in your healing process. It gives you a foundation of hope. But we can't always have all the answers ourselves. We don't know what we don't know, and that is what counseling is for. It is a space to gain self-awareness and develop tools within your faith to learn how to cope. It is okay to seek out help. In fact, it is a courageous step toward the wholeness God desires for you.
The Difference Between Clinical EMDR and Pastoral Counseling
It is important to understand the distinction between what I do as a women's EMDR therapist in Columbus and what a pastor might do. Both are valuable, but they serve different roles in your life. Pastoral counseling or spiritual support is wonderful for specific help on your spiritual journey. It can assist with answering theological questions or navigating crises of faith. However, Christian-integrated EMDR is different. It involves working with a trained professional who has gone through a master’s program and extensive training specifically for EMDR alone.
EMDR is a very specific, neurological treatment that cannot be done without the proper training. I am trained in mental health and focus on the psychological and physiological aspects of trauma. My role is to use this clinical expertise to help your brain heal, while creating space for your faith to be the "container" for that healing. We address the trauma stored in the body, which allows the stress to fully release so you can experience restoration.
Healing for the Overwhelmed Mom and High-Achiever
If you identify as one of the many overwhelmed moms or high-achieving women trying to balance it all, you know how exhausting it is to keep the mask on. You might feel that you have to be perfect for your family, your job, and your church. But inside, you may feel disconnected, anxious, or simply tired. Trauma and stressors get stored in the body, often manifesting as tightness, headaches, or a racing heart. You might feel unsafe even when you are sitting in your living room.
EMDR is uniquely suited to help you because it doesn't just talk about the problem; it resolves the physical alarm bells ringing in your system. I have found that a client's personal faith and relationship with God have been a huge benefit in their progress toward healing. Their faith allows them to feel like they are not alone. It gives them a sense of safety and peace that makes the clinical work more effective. You don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You are allowed to set it down and let God and a trusted therapist help you carry it.
Three Gentle Steps You Can Take Today
If you are struggling right now, please know that hope is available. You don't have to wait for an EMDR therapy session to begin finding some relief. Here are three tips to help you deal with this issue right now:
Find a Spiritual Practice that Aligns with You: Begin to find a spiritual practice that aligns with your faith and connection with God. This doesn't have to be an hour-long study. It could be finding a short meditation or simply sitting in silence for five minutes, inviting God to sit with you.
Meditate on Scripture with Body Awareness: Find a scripture verse that brings you comfort, perhaps something about rest or safety, and meditate on it. As you repeat the verse, begin noticing your body and how that makes you feel. Do you notice less tension in your shoulders? Or, do you feel a temperature change or a slowing of your breath? This bridges the gap between your spiritual mind and your physical body.
Practice the Mind-Body Connection: When you feel overwhelmed, pause and breathe. Beginning to practice the mind-body connection by incorporating your faith can help you experience a sense of calm and relaxation. Remind yourself, "I am safe here with God," and notice how your physical sensations shift in response to that truth.
You Are Worthy of Renewal
Your story matters, and your pain matters to God. He desires for you to experience a life of freedom, not one defined by past hurts or current anxieties. EMDR Christian counseling is an additive tool. It’s a powerful way to experience the healing, renewal, and restoration that is possible for you. You do not have to walk this path alone. Whether you are dealing with deep trauma or the compounding stress of modern life, there is a safe harbor waiting for you. If you are ready to explore how your faith can be part of your healing journey, I am here to walk beside you.
How Can EMDR Christian Counseling Transform Your Faith and Healing Journey in Columbus, OH?
Have you ever wondered if there’s a way to bring your faith into your healing journey—where both your emotional well-being and your spiritual beliefs are honored? It’s completely normal to carry these questions, and you’re not alone. You are deserving of care that embraces your story, your faith, and the challenges you face. At Merrianna Holdeman Counseling, my approach to EMDR Christian counseling in Columbus, OH, is rooted in compassion and a deep respect for your unique path. Whether you’re balancing the demands of motherhood or striving in your career, you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re working through the weight of past trauma, support is available. Together, we can create a safe, nurturing space where your faith becomes a source of strength and renewal, guiding you toward relief from anxiety, stress, or unresolved pain. I offer in-person EMDR therapy to provide a safe environment with no distractions. If you’re ready to take the next step, let’s begin this journey together:
Schedule your complimentary 15-minute consultation today.
Discover my approach to EMDR Christian Counseling and how I can help you rebuild peace, find connection, and trust yourself again.
You are seen, your healing matters, and this is your safe space.
Other Therapy Services at Merrianna Holdeman Counseling
As you continue on your healing journey, you may begin to see how beautifully and complexly interconnected your experiences are. The stress you carry, the trauma you’ve endured, and even the questions you have about your faith can touch every part of your life. Because your path to wholeness is unique, I offer a range of therapy services designed to meet you right where you are. Alongside EMDR, these include: ADHD Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Anxiety Therapy, and Trauma Therapy, each compassionately tailored to honor your spiritual path.
Perhaps you find that a constant hum of anxiety makes it difficult to rest in the peace you long for. It might feel nearly impossible to focus on your work or be present with your family when your mind is pulled in a million directions. The heavy pressures of motherhood, career demands, and the weight of past hurts can all blend together, leaving you feeling truly exhausted. In those moments, it’s natural to feel a bit disconnected from your own heart and the people you love most.
At Merrianna Holdeman Counseling, you will find a safe space to explore these challenges. You are supported as you work toward a sense of clarity and wholeness through personalized, faith-integrated therapy. All services are delivered in-person for women in Columbus, OH, who are ready to find true healing and a renewed sense of connection in every area of life.
About the Author
Merrianna Holdeman, LPCC, is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Ohio dedicated to walking alongside women on their journey to wholeness. With a heart for integrating faith and mental health, she specializes in EMDR Christian counseling. She offers a safe harbor for overwhelmed moms and high-achieving women to heal from trauma. Merrianna creates a gentle, non-judgmental space where you are free to bring your full spiritual self into the healing process. Her passion is guiding you toward releasing deep-seated burdens so you can experience true peace, renewal, and a restored sense of purpose.
