Blog: Trauma, EMDR & Therapy Articles | Ramona Psychotherapy

Trauma researcher Bessel van der Kolk has written that "trauma comes back as a reaction, not a memory." It's a short line, but it captures something a lot of people don't expect about how trauma actually works — and it can help explain reactions that otherwise feel confusing or frustrating. Why trauma doesn't always feel like "remembering" Most people assume that if something from the past is affecting them, they'll consciously think about it — recall the memory, connect the

If you're used to thinking of therapy as something that happens in an office, it's natural to wonder whether meeting online really works as well. The short answer, based on the research: for most common concerns, it does. What the research actually shows A 2024 systematic review in the Canadian Medical Association Journal looked at 54 randomized controlled trials involving over 5,400 patients, comparing therapist-guided online therapy to in-person therapy. The researchers fou

There's a common misconception that couples therapy is only for relationships in crisis. In reality, many couples benefit well before things reach that point. Some signs it might be worth considering Conversations about certain topics always seem to go the same unhelpful way You feel more like roommates or co-managers of a household than partners Small disagreements sometimes escalate faster than they should You're both busy avoiding a conversation you know you need to have Y

Trauma can leave deep emotional wounds that feel hard to move past. Many people assume that healing from severe emotional pain has to take years of therapy. EMDR is one approach that challenges that assumption — not by promising a shortcut, but by working with how the brain naturally processes distressing experiences. What EMDR actually is EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's a structured psychotherapy approach that helps people process distress

A lot of people put off starting therapy because they feel like they need a clear diagnosis before they're "allowed" to ask for help. That's not how therapy works. You don't need a label to justify needing support Anxiety, feeling stuck, difficulty in a relationship, a sense that something's off — none of these need a diagnosis attached before they're worth bringing to therapy. Naming the problem is often part of the work, not a prerequisite for it Understanding what's going

For a lot of people, talking about what matters most is easier in the language they grew up speaking. Why language affects how we process feelings Speaking a second or third language often adds an extra layer of effort — translating thoughts, searching for the right word, losing emotional nuance. In therapy, that extra effort can get in the way of honest expression. It's not just about vocabulary Language is tied to culture — how certain experiences are understood, how emotio

If you've never done therapy before, "consultation" can sound more intimidating than it is. It's a conversation, not an evaluation The 15-minute consultation is a relaxed way to ask questions and see if working together feels like a good fit. No forms, nothing to prepare. What tends to come up What's bringing you to consider therapy now What you're hoping to get out of it Questions about pricing, approach, or online sessions What happens afterward If it feels right, you book