Tampa EMDR

12/10/2025

For so many people, the holidays come with a mix of sparkle and heaviness. There are the lights, the gatherings, the traditions… and then there’s the exhaustion, the expectations, and the emotions that quietly surface when everything gets loud.

If you’ve felt that familiar tug between wanting to show up and needing to protect your peace, this is your reminder: it is okay to say no. It is okay to leave early. It is okay to honor your capacity in this season. Boundaries aren’t walls, they’re the way we care for our nervous system when things feel overwhelming. And guilt doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.

Sometimes it simply means you’re choosing yourself in a new way. This holiday season, we hope you’re gentle with your limits and kind to your heart. And if navigating all of this feels hard, you don’t have to do it alone.

11/21/2025

I am so happy to share that I have been featured in the most recent addition of the VoyageTampa Magazine. Check out the link here:

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie De Graaf. Hi Leslie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?I began my career as a school counselor and later became a […]

11/06/2025

The holiday season can be incredibly triggering for those healing from trauma ....family dynamics, memories, stress, and expectations can make this time of year feel painful instead of joyful.

Your feelings are valid. Your story matters.

If you’re ready to explore healing, Tampa EMDR is here with specialized trauma-focused care to help you feel safe, supported, and understood.

10/24/2025

Growing up with a narcissistic mother can make you feel like you had to shrink yourself just to keep the peace. For many, it leaves behind years of self-doubt, guilt, and a struggle to feel worthy of love. 🌿

Healing is the process of reclaiming your voice, your worth, and your space in this world. It’s learning that you are not “too much” .....you are exactly enough.

If this resonates with you, please save this post as a reminder on the hard days. And if you know someone who could use this truth today, share it with them — because no one deserves to feel small in their own life. 💙

10/22/2025

Healing doesn’t always look heavy.... sometimes it looks like laughter, lightness, and the freedom to be fully yourself again. 🌿

At Tampa EMDR, we help individuals move through trauma, anxiety, and painful experiences so they can find clarity, peace, and joy in their everyday lives. Whether you’re healing from past wounds, navigating the effects of a narcissistic parent, or simply ready to release the weight you’ve been carrying — there is hope.
✨ Your healing matters.
✨ You don’t have to walk this journey alone.

👉 Tell me in the comments: what does healing mean to you right now?

10/20/2025

Why choose Tampa EMDR? 🌿 Because healing doesn’t have to feel impossible.

At Tampa EMDR, we create a safe, compassionate space where you can finally release the weight of past trauma, anxiety, or overwhelming experiences. Whether through weekly sessions or intensive therapy, our goal is to help you find clarity, peace, and freedom — so you can move from surviving to truly thriving.

💙 Healing isn’t about changing who you are, but about letting go of what no longer serves you. If you’re ready to take that first step, we’re here to walk it with you. DM us to book your appointment today.

10/15/2025

🍂 Fall can be a season of beauty, but it can also bring new challenges — shorter days, holiday pressures, and for many, the weight of seasonal depression.

That’s why we put together 4 gentle self-care practices to help you stay grounded, cared for, and connected this season. 🌿
Remember: your mental health matters just as much as everything else on your to-do list. These practices aren’t about adding more tasks — they’re about giving yourself permission to slow down, set boundaries, and lean into support when you need it most.

💙 Save this post as a reminder for the tough days, and share it with someone you care about who could use a little extra encouragement this fall.

10/13/2025

🌑 Part Three: The Weight of Guilt 🌑

If you grew up with a narcissistic mother, you might know the guilt trip all too well. The “after everything I’ve done for you…” or “you owe me” statements that were never about love, but about control.

These words weren’t gratitude—they were chains. A way to keep you small, compliant, and questioning yourself.

Healing means untangling that guilt and realizing: love doesn’t keep score, and your worth isn’t measured by obedience.

You are allowed to set boundaries. You are allowed to break the cycle. You are allowed to live free of manipulation. 💛

👉 Save this if you’ve felt the heavy weight of guilt trips, and share it to remind someone else that they don’t owe their worth to anyone.

10/10/2025

💙 Today is World Mental Health Day — a reminder that you are not alone in your struggles and that your mental health deserves care, compassion, and priority every single day.

At Tampa EMDR, we know healing isn’t always easy. Some days it feels heavy, some days it feels hopeful but every step you take toward caring for your mental health is a step forward. If you’ve been carrying the weight of trauma, anxiety, or pain, know that there is space for you here. Space to heal, to grow, and to move toward peace.

Let’s keep the conversation open, break the stigma together, and remind ourselves: it’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to take up space. And it’s okay to choose healing.

10/08/2025

You may have caught my new series on narcissistic mothers… 📖 In this series, I’m sharing insights, reflections, and tools for those who grew up with emotionally unavailable or harmful parenting.

In this photo, I’m holding one of my favorite resources: Mothers Who Can’t Love. For many, just the title alone brings up a mix of feelings — grief, validation, or even relief that they’re not alone.

At Tampa EMDR, I work with clients every day who are navigating the lasting impact of a narcissistic parent. Through EMDR therapy, it’s possible to process these wounds, break free from old patterns, and begin to step into a healthier, more empowered version of yourself.

💬 I’d love to hear from you — what’s one thing you wish people understood about growing up with a narcissistic mother?

10/06/2025

✨ Part Two: The Subtle Sting ✨

Growing up with a narcissistic mother often meant compliments that didn’t quite feel like compliments at all. Maybe it was praise laced with comparison, or admiration that quickly turned into criticism. And sometimes, it was the quiet but undeniable feeling of a mother’s jealousy instead of support.

These moments can leave lasting wounds—making you question your worth, your abilities, and even your right to shine. But here’s the truth: their jealousy is not your burden to carry.

Healing is about learning to recognize those patterns, give language to your experiences, and reclaim your confidence without guilt. 💛

👉 Save this if you’ve ever struggled with backhanded compliments from a parent, and share it with someone who might need to hear they are not alone.

10/02/2025

I know how heavy life can feel when you’re carrying trauma, anxiety, or painful experiences. For many, even taking the first step toward therapy feels overwhelming. I want you to know you don’t have to walk through it alone.

At Tampa EMDR, I provide a safe space where you can process your past, strengthen your sense of self, and begin moving toward clarity and peace. Healing is possible, and it would be an honor to walk alongside you on that journey.

I’m now accepting new clients, and if you feel ready to take that first step, I invite you to reach out. Your healing matters. 💙