Trauma Therapist
Austin, TX
Trauma changes the way you see yourself and the world. EMDR and trauma-focused therapy can help you process what happened, reduce the grip it has on your daily life, and reclaim your sense of safety.
What Is Trauma — and Do You Have It?
Trauma is not just what happened to you — it's what happened inside you as a result. It can stem from a single overwhelming event (like an accident, assault, or natural disaster) or from chronic, repeated experiences (like childhood neglect, emotional abuse, or systemic racism).
You don't have to have been in a war zone to have trauma. Emotional neglect, witnessing violence, medical trauma, immigration stress, and racial trauma are all valid and real. Many people minimize their own experiences because they don't think they "qualify" — but your nervous system doesn't grade on a curve.
Marilu specializes in trauma-informed, EMDR-based therapy that helps you process traumatic memories safely, at your own pace, without having to relive every detail.
Signs You May Be Carrying Unprocessed Trauma
Intrusive Memories
Flashbacks, nightmares, or unwanted thoughts about past events that feel as real as when they happened.
Hypervigilance
Always scanning for danger, startling easily, difficulty relaxing or feeling safe even in neutral environments.
Avoidance
Going out of your way to avoid people, places, or situations that remind you of what happened.
Emotional Numbness
Feeling detached from yourself or others, difficulty experiencing positive emotions, or feeling 'flat.'
Anger & Irritability
Intense emotional reactions that feel disproportionate, or difficulty controlling anger and frustration.
Relationship Difficulties
Trouble trusting others, fear of abandonment, or patterns of conflict that trace back to early trauma.
Trauma Comes in Many Forms
How Marilu Treats Trauma
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a gold-standard, WHO-endorsed trauma treatment that processes traumatic memories without requiring you to talk about them in detail.
Trauma-Focused CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy adapted for trauma helps identify and challenge the distorted beliefs that trauma creates — 'It was my fault,' 'I'm not safe,' 'I'm broken.'
Culturally Informed Care
Marilu understands that racial trauma, immigration trauma, and generational trauma are real and distinct. Therapy here honors your full cultural context.
What to Expect in Trauma Therapy
Safety First
Before processing any trauma, Marilu builds a foundation of safety, trust, and coping skills so you feel grounded throughout the work.
Assessment
A thorough intake to understand your history, current symptoms, and goals — at your own pace, without pressure.
Processing
Using EMDR or trauma-focused CBT, you'll process traumatic memories in a structured, safe way that reduces their emotional charge.
Integration
Building a new narrative — one where what happened to you doesn't define you, and where you have tools to manage triggers.
Common Questions About Trauma Therapy
Insurance Accepted
$165/session self-pay · Superbills available for out-of-network reimbursement
Healing Is Possible
What happened to you does not have to define the rest of your life. Trauma therapy can help you reclaim your sense of safety, identity, and peace.
Telehealth Trauma Therapy
Available throughout Texas and California via secure video sessions