EMDR, PIT & TRE

Advanced Trauma Therapies for Deep, Lasting Healing

Some wounds don’t respond to talk alone. For many people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or chronic stress, traditional conversation-based therapy is a powerful starting point – but the body and the deeper layers of the mind often need more targeted approaches to fully heal. At Behavioral Medical Center in Troy, MI, we offer three specialized trauma-focused therapies – EMDR, Post Induction Therapy (PIT), and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) – each designed to reach the parts of the nervous system and psyche that words alone cannot always access.

These approaches are available as part of a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan and are delivered by trained, experienced clinicians in a safe and supportive environment.

EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

Reprocessing the Past So It No Longer Controls the Present

EMDR is one of the most extensively researched and clinically validated treatments available for trauma and PTSD. Originally developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess distressing memories that have become “stuck” – memories that continue to trigger intense emotional and physical responses long after the original event has passed.

During an EMDR session, your therapist will guide you through a structured process of recalling a distressing memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation – typically side-to-side eye movements, taps, or tones. This process mimics the natural memory consolidation that occurs during REM sleep, allowing the brain to reprocess the memory in a way that reduces its emotional charge and integrates it more adaptively.

EMDR is highly effective for:

  • PTSD and complex trauma
  • Childhood abuse and neglect
  • Sexual assault and violence
  • Accidents and medical trauma
  • Grief and loss
  • Phobias and anxiety
  • Negative core beliefs rooted in past experiences

EMDR does not require patients to describe their trauma in detail or complete homework between sessions, making it an accessible option for those who have found other approaches difficult.

PIT – Post Induction Therapy

Healing the Wounds of Childhood at Their Root

Post Induction Therapy, developed by therapist and author Pia Mellody, is a specialized approach designed to address the long-term effects of childhood trauma, neglect, and dysfunctional family systems. PIT is grounded in the understanding that many adult struggles – including codependency, shame, relationship dysfunction, addiction, and emotional dysregulation – have their roots in early childhood experiences that disrupted healthy development.

PIT helps patients identify and heal what Mellody calls “childhood developmental trauma” – the subtle but deeply impactful wounds that come from growing up in environments where emotional needs were consistently unmet, boundaries were violated, or shame was frequently experienced.

Through PIT, patients are guided to:

  • Identify the origins of core shame and self-defeating beliefs
  • Reconnect with the wounded inner child and begin the process of reparenting
  • Recognize and break dysfunctional relational patterns
  • Develop a healthier, more grounded sense of self
  • Build functional boundaries and authentic self-esteem

PIT is particularly effective for adults who have done significant therapeutic work but continue to struggle with deep-seated shame, relationship patterns, or a persistent sense that something is fundamentally wrong with them.

TRE – Trauma Release Exercises

Releasing Stress and Trauma From the Body

Trauma is not only a psychological experience – it is a physical one. When the body experiences stress or threat, it activates a deeply ingrained survival response. In many people, especially those who have experienced prolonged or repeated trauma, this tension becomes chronically stored in the muscles and nervous system long after the danger has passed – contributing to anxiety, chronic pain, sleep disruption, and emotional dysregulation.

Trauma Release Exercises, developed by Dr. David Berceli, are a series of simple, guided physical movements designed to activate the body’s natural tremoring mechanism – a neurogenic process that helps discharge stored tension and reset the nervous system. These gentle, involuntary tremors work from the core of the body outward, releasing deep muscular tension in a way that is safe, gradual, and self-regulating.

TRE can be beneficial for:

  • Chronic stress and burnout
  • PTSD and trauma
  • Anxiety and hypervigilance
  • Chronic muscle tension and pain
  • Sleep difficulties
  • Emotional numbness or disconnection from the body

TRE is a body-based complement to traditional psychotherapy and works particularly well in combination with EMDR or other trauma-focused approaches. Sessions are conducted in person at our Troy, MI office.

A Note on Trauma Treatment at BMC-Troy

Trauma therapy is nuanced, deeply personal work, and not every approach is right for every person. Our clinicians will work closely with you to assess your history, your readiness, and your goals before recommending any of these modalities. In many cases, a combination of approaches – talk therapy alongside EMDR, PIT, or TRE – produces the most comprehensive and lasting results.

You deserve to heal – not just manage. Call us at (248) 528-9000, Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm, to schedule a confidential assessment and learn whether EMDR, PIT, or TRE may be right for you.