Diane Hancox

Thank you for checking out my services. I am accepting clients (returning & new) for EMDR only sessions.  HOURS: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday – mornings

As a psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience, I have seen—as have many trauma-informed neuroscientists and clinicians—that much of our suffering stems from deeply rooted beliefs and narratives that are:

1. Not true, and
2. Standing in the way of who we truly are, how we genuinely want to feel, and how we make decisions.

These damaging internal stories and scoldings (“See, you’re not good enough,” “You’re selfish,” “How dare you say no,” “I’m not safe”) often originate decades ago, if not a lifetime back. When exposed to familiar situations or dynamics—such as encounters with authority, family conflict, or feeling helpless—these old, ingrained patterns get triggered. As we experience that familiar “zing”—perhaps feeling 3, 8, or 14 years old again—the hamster gets back on the wheel, or down the spiral we go. A part of us regresses: blaming, complaining, overeating, scrolling, or behaving in ways that don’t fit the current moment.

A part of us struggles to let go of the hurt, pain, or unfairness, no matter how much our adult self logically recognizes the pattern and wants to move on (“I know my mom can’t change,” “I’m trying to forgive,” “I know I’m capable, but…”). Despite best efforts, books, podcasts, and hopeful “maybe-this-time” attempts, nothing seems to stick. Yet this repetition—often increasing in intensity—is simply trying to get our attention so the unresolved cognitions (“I’m not good enough”) and emotions (shame, hurt) can finally be fully processed and resolved.

The roots of these beliefs are often held unconsciously—stored in memories, bodily symptoms, emotions, non-verbal cues, and imagery. That is why accessing what needs to be processed can feel so elusive through traditional, logic-based approaches alone. To create real, lasting change, we need to tap into the body, emotions, and imaginal parts of ourselves—going deeper into the subconscious and unconscious material where true healing resides.

So, how can we access this material?