Kristel Magluyan-Balais

How I Work With My Clients

When you're looking for a therapist, it's important to find someone who feels right for you. Let me share a bit about how I work and what you can expect in our sessions together.

My foundation as a therapist is deeply rooted in trauma-informed care. What this means for you is that I understand the profound impact trauma can have on your life, and I'm committed to creating a space where you feel safe, respected, and in control of your own healing journey.

I believe the relationship between therapist and client is sacred. That might sound intense, but it's true – the trust and connection we build together is what makes healing possible. My role isn't to "fix" you or tell you what to do. Instead, I'm here to walk alongside you, offering support, guidance, and expertise while honoring your wisdom about your own life.

One thing that sets my practice apart is my attention to how trauma lives in the body. You might notice that when you're stressed or anxious, your body responds – maybe your shoulders tense up, your stomach feels tight, or your heart races. These physical responses aren't random; they're important signals. In our work together, I'll help you tune into these bodily experiences and use them as guideposts in your healing process.

Most importantly, we'll move at your pace. Healing isn't a race, and pushing too fast can sometimes set us back. I'll help you build a solid foundation of coping skills and emotional resources before we dive into more challenging work.

Understanding EMDR Therapy

A significant part of my practice involves EMDR therapy, a powerful approach that has helped many of my clients find relief from trauma, anxiety, and other challenges. Let me explain what it is and how it might help you.

What is EMDR and How Does it Work?

Think about a cut on your skin. Your body naturally knows how to heal it, but sometimes the wound needs a little help – maybe cleaning or a bandage. Your brain is similar. It naturally knows how to process difficult experiences, but sometimes traumatic events are just too overwhelming, and the processing gets stuck. That's where EMDR comes in.

EMDR uses eye movements (or sometimes taps or sounds) while briefly focusing on a troubling memory or feeling. This back-and-forth motion seems to help your brain process the stuck memory in a new way. It's similar to what happens during dream sleep, when your eyes move back and forth and your brain processes the day's events.

How EMDR Could Help You

I've seen EMDR help clients in many different ways. For some, memories that once felt raw and overwhelming become more distant – still there, but no longer controlling their lives. Others find relief from anxiety that's plagued them for years. Some discover they can finally let go of old beliefs about themselves that were holding them back.

EMDR can be particularly helpful if you:

• Find yourself overwhelmed by memories of difficult experiences
• React strongly to certain triggers
• Struggle with anxiety
• Have trouble letting go of past hurts
• Feel stuck in patterns that aren't serving you
• Carry the weight of childhood experiences
• Are working through grief or loss

What to Expect with EMDR

If we decide to try EMDR together, we'll start slowly. First, we'll make sure you have tools to handle strong emotions and ways to ground yourself when things feel overwhelming. This preparation phase is crucial – like building a sturdy foundation before constructing a house.

When you feel ready, we'll begin the actual processing work. You'll always be in control, and we can pause or slow down anytime you need to. Many clients find that EMDR feels gentler than they expected, though it's normal for emotions to come up during and between sessions.

Remember, EMDR is just one tool in our therapeutic toolkit. Whether we use EMDR, other approaches, or a combination, our work together will always be tailored to what feels right and helpful for you.

The most important thing to know is that healing is possible. I've witnessed many times in my practice, and I'm here to support you in finding your path forward. If you have questions about my approach or want to explore whether we might be a good fit, I welcome you to reach out for a consultation.