Why Do I Keep Ending Up in the Same Kind of Relationship?
Relational trauma and complex PTSD therapy
With Stefani Edwards, LPCC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Does This Sound Familiar?
You keep ending up in relationships where you’re doing all the emotional work
Your reactions don’t always match what’s happening right now, and you can’t seem to change that
You find yourself apologizing too much, or feeling responsible for everyone else’s feelings
You’ve experienced emotionally unsafe relationships, betrayal, or attachment wounds
You grew up around chronic criticism, controlling dynamics, or a hard family situation
You keep losing yourself in relationships, or wonder why you doubt your own judgment so often
If several of these sound like you, you’re not broken and you’re not alone. This is often what relational trauma looks like from the inside.
Naming It
How Stefani Helps
The Specialty: Breaking the Pattern
My work focuses on the relational patterns themselves—how you relate to yourself and others, and how your nervous system got stuck in survival mode.
The Tools: EMDR Therapy and Person Centered Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps your brain process and release traumatic memories and patterns. It’s not talk therapy—it’s a targeted approach that works with how your nervous system stores trauma.
A person-centered therapist provides a warm, accepting relationship where you can feel safe being fully yourself. Past relationships taught you to hide, accommodate, or protect parts of who you are. Through a genuine and supportive therapeutic relationship, you can begin to build greater trust in yourself, your feelings, and your ability to create healthier connections with others.
What to Expect: What Healing Looks Like
Pace
This work takes longer than single-incident EMDR. Relational trauma therapy typically takes 16–25 sessions to see significant shifts. This isn’t because something is wrong—it’s because we’re rewiring patterns that developed over years.
Session Length
Sessions are 50–60 minutes, typically once per week. This consistency helps your nervous system build new patterns.What Your First Session Looks Like
We’ll talk about what brought you in, your history, and your goals. I’ll explain how EMDR works and answer your questions. Together, we will decide if EMDR is a good fit for you. We’ll take time to build safety and trust first. You’re in control.
Availability
I offer both in-person sessions in Lafayette, CO and telehealth. Choose what works best for you.
Meet Stefani
Stefani Edwards, LPCC, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor
The Specialty: Breaking the Pattern
My work focuses on the relational patterns themselves—how you relate to yourself and others, and how your nervous system got stuck in survival mode.
The Tool: EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps your brain process and release traumatic memories and patterns. It’s not talk therapy—it’s a targeted approach that works with how your nervous system stores trauma.
The point: EMDR is the method. Breaking the pattern is the goal. You’ll leave therapy not just understanding your patterns, but free from them.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don't have one specific traumatic event, just a pattern that built up over time. Does this still apply to me?
Yes. This is actually the most common way relational trauma shows up. You don’t need a single dramatic event for this work to help.
Does insurance cover this therapy?
Yes. We accept insurance from multiple providers including Aetna, Colorado Access, Health First Colorado, Medicaid, Rocky Mountain Health Plans, and UnitedHealthcare. We’re happy to verify your coverage and discuss any out-of-pocket costs during your consultation.
Is therapy available virtually through telehealth?
Yes, sessions are available online or in person at our Lafayette office.
Do I have to talk about everything that happened to me in detail?
No. You don’t need to describe every detail out loud. You’ll briefly hold the memory or feeling in mind while Stefani guides the process, which means less retelling and reliving.
Is everything confidential?
Yes. All therapy is confidential and protected by law. The only exceptions are situations involving immediate danger to yourself or others, or if we’re required to report by law. We’ll discuss confidentiality in detail during your first session.
How is this different from regular talk therapy?
Talk therapy focuses on discussing and understanding your experiences. This work adds a structured process that helps your brain actually reprocess the pattern, so it carries less emotional weight and shows up less in your relationships today.
How do I know if this is right for me?
If you keep noticing the same relationship pattern no matter who you’re with, or reactions that feel bigger than the moment calls for, this is worth exploring. Book a session and Stefani can help you figure out if it’s a good fit.
Ready to Break the Pattern?
You don’t have to keep repeating the same patterns. Healing is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.
I’m accepting new clients now. Let’s talk about what’s possible for you.