Do you often feel like no matter what you do, it’s never enough? Maybe you’ve spent most of your life caring for others, trying to meet everyone else’s needs, but when it comes to your own, you feel…empty. You might not even know exactly what’s wrong, but deep down, something feels off. If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with the long-lasting effects of childhood emotional neglect.
As a therapist specializing in helping women heal from childhood neglect, I want to share why this experience can shape so much of who we are—and how, with the right support, healing is absolutely possible.
What Is Childhood Emotional Neglect?
Childhood emotional neglect is a form of relational trauma that’s often misunderstood because it’s about what didn’t happen rather than what did. If you grew up in a family where your feelings were ignored, dismissed, or not nurtured, you may have experienced emotional neglect. Unlike more overt forms of abuse, emotional neglect is often invisible, but it can deeply impact your sense of self-worth, emotional regulation, and relationships well into adulthood.
Women who experienced this type of neglect often grow up to be the “helpers”—the ones who are constantly pouring their energy into taking care of others, often at the expense of their own needs. But the truth is, neglect leaves a void that can feel impossible to fill, no matter how hard you try.
How Childhood Emotional Neglect Affects Women
Many women I work with describe a lingering feeling of being “wrong” or “not enough.” This emotional blueprint often comes from childhood, where they may have learned that their emotions weren’t important, or worse, that their emotions were a burden. As adults, these women frequently:
Struggle with boundaries: They may feel guilty or ashamed for asserting their needs, often prioritizing others' well-being over their own.
Feel emotionally disconnected: It’s common for women with childhood neglect to feel numb or detached from their own feelings.
Experience shame and self-doubt: When you’ve spent your childhood suppressing your needs, it's hard not to believe that something is inherently wrong with you.
Overcompensate through caretaking: Whether at work, in relationships, or in parenting, many women try to "prove" their worth by caring for others, even when they're running on empty.
Healing Childhood Emotional Neglect Through EMDR
Healing from childhood emotional neglect takes more than just talking through your feelings; it requires deep emotional work to address the pain and emptiness left behind. That’s where EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be a powerful tool.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR helps you reprocess painful memories and negative beliefs formed in childhood, allowing you to reframe them. This process can help you reconnect with your emotions, reclaim your sense of worth, and learn to set healthier boundaries. Through intensive EMDR sessions, we can dive deep into those core beliefs that have held you back and create a path toward healing.
Why I Focus on Women Healing from Childhood Neglect
I’ve dedicated my practice to helping women heal from childhood emotional neglect because I know how deeply it affects every area of life—from relationships to self-worth. Many women who grew up emotionally neglected have never been told that their pain is real, or that they deserve to heal. I’m here to change that.
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of being a mom or exhausted by the weight of always being the caretaker, you deserve the same care and attention that you give to everyone else. And through EMDR, I can help you begin that journey.
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Conclusion: You Deserve to Heal
If you grew up feeling invisible, like your needs didn’t matter, I want you to know that healing is possible. It’s not too late to reclaim your worth and learn to prioritize yourself. Through EMDR Intensive Therapy, we can work together to heal the wounds left by emotional neglect and help you reconnect with the person you were always meant to be.
Are you ready to begin this journey? Whether you’re in Florida or Wisconsin, I offer telehealth options for women looking to heal from childhood emotional neglect. Take the first step and schedule a consultation today—because you deserve to heal.
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Key Takeaways about Childhood Emotional Neglect:
Childhood emotional neglect is often invisible but leaves deep emotional wounds.
Women with this experience often struggle with boundaries, emotional connection, and self-worth.
EMDR Therapy is a powerful tool for healing the pain of emotional neglect by reprocessing painful memories.
Healing is possible, and you deserve to reclaim your emotional well-being.
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FAQ:
Q: How do I know if I experienced childhood emotional neglect?
A: If you grew up feeling that your emotions didn’t matter, were dismissed, or ignored, you may have experienced emotional neglect.
Q: Is EMDR right for healing childhood emotional neglect?
A: Yes, EMDR helps reprocess negative beliefs and memories associated with neglect, allowing you to heal emotional wounds more effectively.
Q: Do you offer EMDR Intensives for childhood emotional neglect?
A: Yes, I offer EMDR Intensive Therapy in 3- or 5-hour blocks, via telehealth for Florida and Wisconsin residents.
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