Trauma Therapy in Minneapolis

​Helping you heal from trauma so you can reconnect with yourself, your body, and your relationships.
When you’ve experienced trauma, even the parts of life that are supposed to feel good, like intimacy, connection, and pleasure, can feel complicated or overwhelming. You might find yourself emotionally shut down, disconnected from your body, or stuck in painful patterns you don’t fully understand. Whether the trauma happened recently or years ago, it may continue to shape how you relate to yourself and others.
At Sexual Wellness Institute, we provide trauma therapy grounded in compassion, consent, and clinical expertise. Our therapists specialize in the intersection of trauma and sexuality. We offer a safe and affirming space to process your past and reclaim the parts of yourself that have been silenced, shamed, or shut down.

What Is Trauma?

Trauma is not just what happened to you. It also includes how your nervous system responded when something overwhelmed your ability to cope. This can include single, defining events such as abuse, assault, or accidents. It can also come from repeated experiences like emotional neglect, chronic invalidation, or controlling relationships.
Common trauma symptoms we help with include:
  • Emotional numbness or shutdown
  • Anxiety, panic, or hypervigilance
  • Difficulty trusting or connecting with others
  • Shame, guilt, or low self-worth
  • Intrusive memories or flashbacks
  • Sexual difficulties or avoidance
  • Feeling disconnected from your body

Our Approach to Trauma Therapy

Our approach is holistic and integrative. It honors both the emotional and physical impact of trauma. We go beyond talk therapy to address how trauma lives in the body and nervous system.
Our therapists use a range of evidence-based tools, including:
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help process traumatic memories and replace negative beliefs with more supportive ones
  • Brainspotting, which uses focused eye position and relational attunement to access and release trauma held deep in the brain
  • Somatic and mindfulness practices to support nervous system regulation and body awareness
  • Relational and attachment-based therapy to rebuild trust, connection, and emotional safety

How Trauma Impacts Sexuality and Relationships

Even if your trauma was not directly related to sex, it can still affect intimacy, desire, and connection. Many people come to therapy feeling confused, ashamed, or frustrated by how trauma has impacted their relationships and sexual experiences.
You might notice:We specialize in working with clients who are navigating these challenges. Our goal is to help you heal the underlying trauma and reconnect with your sexuality in ways that feel safe and empowering.

Sexual Trauma Therapy: Reclaiming Your Body and Your Voice

If you are healing from sexual trauma, you are not alone. Unwanted sexual experiences, abuse, coercion, or boundary violations can leave a lasting imprint on how you feel about your body, your sexuality, and your sense of worth.
You might carry beliefs like:
  • I am broken because of what happened
  • Sex is dangerous or shameful
  • My body is not safe
  • I should feel guilty for wanting or enjoying sex
We offer specialized therapy for survivors of sexual trauma. Using tools like EMDR and Brainspotting, we help clients gently process what happened, reduce shame and self-blame, and build a renewed sense of safety and agency.
You are never pushed to share more than you are ready for. Your pace, boundaries, and needs come first.

What to Expect from Trauma Therapy at SWI

Photo of beach/ocean, with clouds, all in shades of blue and gray for peaceful thoughts around sexual trauma and therapy. EMDR is available to treat past sexual trauma in the Minneapolis area.
In your sessions, you can expect:
  • A compassionate and collaborative relationship with your therapist
  • A pace that feels safe and manageable
  • Tools for grounding and nervous system regulation
  • Gradual, supported processing of traumatic memories
  • Support for reconnecting with your body and sexuality
  • A growing sense of safety, agency, and empowerment in your sexuality
Many clients tell us they feel more clear, calm, and connected after sessions. Over time, they begin to experience themselves and their relationships in new and more fulfilling ways.

You Deserve to Heal

Whether you are working through sexual trauma, feeling stuck in patterns from the past, or simply trying to feel more whole and present, support is available. Healing does not mean forgetting or minimizing what happened. It means reconnecting with your sense of self, safety, and possibility.
At Sexual Wellness Institute, we are here to help you move forward with care, clarity, and connection
What kind of trauma do you work with?
​We support clients with both general trauma and sexual trauma. This includes experiences such as childhood or attachment trauma, relational hurts, medical or birth trauma, and situations that were overwhelming to the nervous system even if they were not physically life-threatening.
Do I need to talk about every detail of what happened in order to heal?
​No. Many clients heal without retelling their entire story. We move at your pace and focus on regulating the nervous system, not re-exposing you to trauma. You are always in control of what you do or do not share.
What is the difference between EMDR and Brainspotting?
Both are trauma-focused therapies that help the brain process what it could not fully process at the time. EMDR uses bilateral eye movements. Brainspotting uses eye focus and attunement to access where the trauma is held in the body. We help you determine which approach fits best.
Do I have to start with EMDR or Brainspotting right away?
​No. We only introduce these methods once your nervous system has enough stability and safety. Some clients begin with talk therapy, regulation work, or relationship rebuilding before using trauma-processing methods.
How long does trauma therapy take?
​The timeline depends on each person’s history and nervous system. Some people feel relief within weeks. Others prefer longer-term therapy as deeper patterns unwind. We adapt the process to your pace and readiness.
Do you accept insurance?
​We are a private pay practice. However, many clients receive partial reimbursement through their out-of-network benefits. We provide a monthly superbill that you can submit to insurance. If you are unsure how to check your coverage, we also offer a step-by-step Out-of-Network Benefits Guide to walk you through it.
Can trauma therapy still be effective if my schedule is irregular or I cannot attend weekly?
Yes. We frequently work with clients who have demanding schedules but want a strategic process that moves forward without overwhelm. Trauma therapy does not require endless weekly sessions to be effective. We pace intentionally, focus on clarity and nervous system readiness, and make meaningful progress even with limited availability.

Related Blog Posts

Begin Brainspotting or EMDR Therapy in the Minneapolis Area

Beginning EMDR therapy with one of our skilled sex therapists at our Plymouth, MN counseling office can be simple and worry-free. Set your doubts and fears aside and let us help address trauma or unsettling experiences that have been hard to shake. All you have to do to get started is:
  1. Schedule a free consultation
  2. Meet with one of our sex therapists
  3. Begin your journey toward a more fulfilling sexual relationship

Other Sexual Wellness Institute Services

Sexual concerns often have many layers. We know these issues are complex so, at Sexual Wellness Institute, we also offer sexual desire therapy, couples counseling and specialized services for teens. Let us enhance your sexual health in a meaningful and comprehensive way. Ask your therapist about additional resources in your area.