Embodied Healing

06/19/2026

Sharing this video as a reminder that simple actions can have a very calming effect. The key is to do it consistently, instead of “I’ll try this another time. I’m too upset”.

To add to the video, when we use breathing to calm the nervous system, try elongating the exhale by a couple extra seconds so that it takes more time to exhale then inhale. It activates a calming mechanism in the nervous system, especially when we also pretend to blow out a candle while we exhale.

I often use hand to heart personally as well as in my work with clients. It can be soothing, it can also be a way to prompt listening to that inner knowing, or to connect with presence.

Bringing up internal resources, such as a place that makes us feel calm/safe, or a person/animal/figure that loves, protects or guides as can be helpful to activate the calming system too. Nature is often that place.

I invite you to make the simple things a part of your regular routine & notice what these practices make you feel.

Sending peace,
Annmarie Hardgrove, LCSW-R, CYT
Certified EMDR Therapist
Somatic Developmental Trauma Therapist
Trauma Focused Yoga & Meditation Teacher
www.embodiedhealingli.com

Put your hand on your heart and breathe deeply. 🌿Feel the rise an...

06/12/2026

One of the hallmark symptoms of PTSD/CPTSD is hyperarousal. It’s when the biologically wired survival settings in our nervous system are stuck in overdrive, with the switch always “On”. For survivors of childhood abuse where there was a lack of safety in the household, it becomes a way of life to feel activated in one’s own body. And it’s exhausting!

These symptoms are also commonly experienced by our first responders, veterans, medical personnel, individuals who had an accident or medical trauma to name a few.

Our brains & body are designed to protect us but chronic hyperarousal is not meant to be a regular state of being. Fortunately, treatments like EMDR, somatic therapy & yoga can help rewire the nervous system response because talking about it cannot convince the brain you’re safe - even in situations where you logically know that’s true. Humans are resilient & these approaches facilitate accessing the innate ability to heal that is within all of us.

Finding spaces that naturally promote a resting state is an important part of self care in the here & now when possible. Arielle Schwartz also offers exercises on you tube and on her website to facilitate vagal toning for individuals interested in trying some strategies immediately.

I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to receive her mentorship to deepen my integration of yoga into my work with trauma survivors starting this August!

Sending peace,
Annmarie Hardgrove, LCSW-R
Certified EMDR Therapist
Somatic Developmental Trauma Therapist
Trauma Focused Yoga & Meditation Teacher
www.embodiedhelingli.com

06/05/2026

🪷June is PTSD Awareness Month🪷

If you live with PTSD or CPTSD, you may know what it's like to feel trapped in survival mode—

🧠 Experiencing visual, emotional or physical flashbacks

🧠 Intrusive thoughts& memories

🧠 Hypervigilance

🧠 Emotional overwhelm & numbness

🧠 Sleep disturbances

🧠 Your body never feels truly safe & at rest

🧠 Persistent negative beliefs about yourself.

My goal is simple: To raise awareness about PTSD/CPTSD AND what treatments can facilitate deep, meaningful healing. Recovery is not only possible—it happens every day.

Advancements in the field support some established models as well as effective alternatives. And this brings more choice for survivors in navigating their healing process to fit their needs, rather than survivors trying to make what’s available work. Specialized therapy intensives are one of the newer, cutting edge approaches for trauma survivors to consider.

There are very few providers offering full day intensives on LI. To increase choice for survivors locally, I began offering 1-3 day Somatic EMDR Intensives 4 years ago for those seeking an immersive, accelerated approach to get faster relief from the symptoms that interfere with the life they deserve. This can be a standalone or incorporated into existing treatment. I am deeply grateful for the larger community of mental health professionals I regularly collaborate with on LI, NY & the larger Tri-state area who entrust me with their clients by adding an intensive to enhance the meaningful work they are doing. It takes a community to heal (and prevent!) trauma & survivors deserve this supportive community.

My practice also offers extended short term sessions as well as traditional sessions. The way to go about healing belongs in the hands of survivors.

Most survivors who come into my office have tried many things & talked about their trauma for many years, and still live with the impact in not just their minds & hearts but their body. Many of the leading trauma experts recommend EMDR & Somatic Therapy approaches to more comprehensively treat PTSD/CPTSD because trauma is held in the nervous system in a way that talking about it alone cannot change.

In honor of my dedication to facilitate deeper healing for my clients, I have decided to pursue over 100+ hours of additional somatic training in 2026. I recently completed a 45-hour certification in Preverbal Developmental Trauma that I have incorporated into helping survivors suffering from the impacts of preverbal trauma & attachment wounds using various EMDR Protocols. I am currently engaged in an extensive certification integrating Somatic & EMDR Therapy Protocols.

In addition to collaborating with other professionals doing intensives, I also offer clinical consultations for practitioners who strive to level up their skills treating PTSD/CPTSD learning & integrating advanced techniques. In addition to individual consultation, shared consultation sessions for colleagues and consultation opportunities for group practices that allow for live practice & guidance on newly acquired skills are some of the newer formats I am adding to build confidence & competence through action.

Whether you're a trauma survivor seeking healing or a clinician seeking growth, there are many choices available to find the support that best fits your needs.

Sending peace,
Annmarie Hardgrove, LCSW-R, CYT
Certified EMDR Therapist
Somatic Developmental Trauma Therapist
Trauma Focused Yoga Teacher
www.embodiedhealingli.com

05/13/2026

One thing that often stands out to survivors is the different way their childhood impacted them in a different way than their siblings. As you can see below, these factors often are the variables that can create a traumatic response or the absence of one. Some individuals utilize the trauma response of Flight most often, whereas others choose the Fight Response. The type of trauma response an individual leans on also has reasons behind it.

Another interesting way to look at this graphic is that the brain decides what is experienced as traumatic, not our logical mind. This also accounts for why events that aren’t categorized as “trauma” live in the heart, mind & body as unresolved traumatic material- an experience of being excluded, a moment of embarrassment, infidelity, etc.

Healing is possible when the unique aspects of each individual are seen, heard & treated.

Sending peace,
Annmarie Hardgrove, LCSW-R, CYT
Certified EMDR Therapist
Somatic Developmental Trauma Therapist
Trauma Focused Yoga & Meditation Teacher
www.embodiedhealingli.com

05/08/2026

🪷Friday Reflection🪷

05/01/2026

🪷🪷🪷 May is Mental Health Awareness Month🪷🪷🪷

Mental health is important for everyone one! Make some space for yourself & take this opportunity to feed your soul with whatever makes you feel:
🪷 Safe
🪷 Seen
🪷 Calm
🪷 Comforted
🪷 Playful!
🪷 Loved

Each & every one of us is worth the effort ❤️

Sending peace,
Annmarie Hardgrove, LCSW-R, CYT
Certified EMDR Therapist
Somatic Developmental Trauma Therapist
Trauma Focused Yoga & Meditation Teacher
www.embodiedhealingli.com

04/23/2026

These are some examples of family patterns that can easily go unnoticed. Or it can become such a way of life it’s just a person’s “normal”. The thing is these patterns can exist in homes where everything appears fine from the outside looking in as well as in homes where abuse & neglect is more visible. It’s the unseen force that shapes how a child relates to their emotions & needs. Sometimes these patterns develop over time to manage overwhelm within the family system, such as families encountering a collective trauma (ex-member falling ill or having a chronic disability).

I often see these patterns show up in my office as a lifelong narrative of- “My needs don’t matter”, “I can’t trust my instincts”, “I am unworthy”….the list goes on.

And these thought patterns lead to behavior patterns (ex-not taking care of medical needs) relationship patterns (ex-prioritizing others needs above your own) that are persistent. It becomes a cycle where these patterns then reinforce the belief itself & round & round it goes.

These negative beliefs needs to be shifted in the brain. In EMDR we do this by using the pattern the client wants to change & reprocessing experiences that led to this belief. The root experiences. Luckily, a few significant events can generalize so that more effective affirming beliefs can feel true as an adult.

With somatic work, we explore how these patterns shape the body & where holding patterns live. And then the work of repatterning can begin!

Every person deserves to feel their emotions, express them & have their needs met. I invite you to consider challenging these patterns if you notice them in your life. You’re worth it too! 💜

Sending peace,
Annmarie Hardgrove, LCSW-R, CYT
Certified EMDR Therapist
Somatic Developmental Trauma Therapist
Trauma Focused Yoga & Meditation Teacher
www.embodiedhealingli.com

04/09/2026

It all began with a call made by a sexual assault survivor to the 24 hour hotline. I answered. This was the first survivor I interacted with 20 years ago when I started my career in the hopes of counteracting the statistics on sexual assault, domestic violence & child abuse. To all survivors- Your story matters, your healing matters & you deserve to find safety, support & peace ❤️☮️

From that day up until today, I have been honored to bear witness to the innate capacity to heal that exists within so many survivors. And I continue to have deep awe & respect for the hard work it takes to get there.

Sadly, the statistics have remained much the same as the day I started 20 years ago. It takes a community to heal AND it takes a community to prevent child abuse & sexual abuse across the lifespan.

What can we all do as a community?
1) If you have children or are an important figure to a child, talk to them about their emotions, know their friends, teachers, other parents. Educate them about body boundaries, safe vs unsafe touch & situations. There are many tools out there now like books & graphics to help adults have these conversations with kids at every stage of development. An ongoing dialogue will have a more protective impact than a one time discussion.

2) As adults, we all must learn what grooming is, pay attention to any signs big or small that just don’t feel right & be a safe person for others to come to. If we all take a stance that we are all collectively responsible for the safety of the children in our community, the statistics will change. If you experienced child abuse or neglect growing up, prioritize healing yourself when you become a parent.

3) Support & follow Institutional policies & safeguards that create a culture that supports safety for all, meaningful consequences for abuse perpetrators & education.

Together, I hope that we can change the epidemic of sexual abuse & child abuse. I remain committed to providing evidence based treatment to survivors of childhood abuse & sexual assault.

Sending peace,
Annmarie Hardgrove, LCSW-R, CYT
Certified EMDR Therapist
Somatic Developmental Trauma Therapist
Trauma Focused Yoga & Meditation Teacher
www.embodiedhealingli.com