When Nothing “Bad” Happened But You Still Hurt
Virtual EMDR Therapy for MN and ND adults who grew up in emotionally neglectful or dysfunctional families and are ready to finally feel calm in their own body.
➤ Stop feeling guilty for having needs
➤ Stop replaying conversations at 2 AM
➤ Rewire the nervous system patterns that keep you bracing
Private. Structured. Reviewed for fit.
Trusted for Over 10 Years
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"Tangible results. … Having been to many, many therapists - I can easily say she has been the best. I’m happy with the results I have seen and look forward to seeing what comes now!"
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“Within several months my perspective had completely changed and I was able to make progress and move past emotional obstacles that had been blocking my ability to proceed forward.”
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“I have been able to move past somethings that were holding me down for well over a decade. I feel lighter and am able to deal with setbacks easier than before therapy. I have done both traditional talk therapy and EMDR…and there isn’t anyone I would recommend more!"
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“I have left every session ... feeling like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I am ready to go enjoy the rest of my day with a clear head. I highly recommend ... Silver Birch Therapy to anyone struggling and in need of a little extra help!”
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“She has helped me overcome past fears and traumas and has helped me mature into a more confident and well-rounded individual. She is always there to support me, but also challenge me and push me to be better…Through traditional talk therapy and EMDR she has helped me develop and learn to deal with my traumas in the past and present."
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"I look forward to my monthly sessions as I always come away from them with a renewed sense of my own value…insight and feedback has opened my eyes to my own thought patterns and how they impact my well-being.”
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“I began therapy and EMDR believing it was some voodoo magic that wouldn't help at all. Now I find myself looking forward to every session… I have noticed progress and healing in myself, my emotions, and my every day life. I'm not sure where I would be without this experience and the time spent in therapy…I do know that looking back, I wish I had started down this long road sooner…"
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“…the first therapist I have had that has really challenged me to look deeper and really help to form the new perspective that I need to heal from past trauma. I would highly recommend her to anyone!"
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" She laughs with me, lets me cry it out when the feelings get too big, and reminds me that a lot of this is normal. …I feel so much lighter after my sessions, and they're something I look forward to!"
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“…helped me navigate through some very traumatic past experiences, while teaching me the skills to face those traumas and come out stronger on the other side…. I never thought I would be able to find someone who I could talk to openly, all while not feeling judged or foolish… I would recommend her to anyone who is looking! The leap of faith that I took in working with Silver Birch… is one that I am so incredibly grateful that I took!"
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“…While sometimes challenging, I always appreciate the intention of being the architect of my own growth and progress. While initially, I sought 'answers' from her, now I am learning to seek within myself alongside a guide."
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“…The best part of my therapy has been that I’m now learning new skills to build a life that I’m proud of. I've been able to form deeper relationships and I've even been able to help others. I’m reaching a point that I didn’t realize was possible when I first started my sessions a year ago.”
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“…I appreciate how she is able to be fully supportive of me, hold me accountable in a direct way, provide an objective perspective to my fears and/or anxiety, and then being able to report back to her (and celebrate) when I follow through with difficult tasks.”
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“I didn't know where to even begin trying to work through the issues I was struggling with… I'm capable and confident that I can work through things and be my best self. The personal growth I've experienced since I started therapy is truly amazing! I'm in a much better and much happier place in my life and I'm thankful for it every day.”
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“I am deeply grateful for the support given… the progress made I made in our short time together…was extremely helpful at a crucial time/within a crucial season of my life. I will always be grateful for that.”
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“I don’t quite know how she does it but I always feel calm, supported and capable of tackling really big goals.”
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"This retreat may be the biggest single event that has saved my marriage, I would recommend having mini retreats every so often to do a refresher or clean out clutter that get moved off to the side but linger and affect the connections between my spouse and I…This experience was exhausting for both me and my spouse, yet at the same time it was very energetic for our relationship.”
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"EMDR has been a game changer in a matter of months for my self worth, relationships, and boundaries...so caring, safe, and truly an amazing partner in this journey."
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"It is the best feeling in the world to find someone who you click with, I’m able to be open and raw... It is so important to be able to find that connection with your therapist. I’m so happy she is in my corner!"
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"From my first session...at Silver Birch Therapy I knew I'd found something special. She's become the supportive voice I've always needed in my head, striking that perfect balance between gentle reassurance and pushing me to grow when needed. Her empathy is genuine and her approach just clicks. If you're looking for a therapist who truly gets it... Best decision I've made for my mental health journey!"
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"I came to Silver Birch having never having received therapy in the past with little hope of finding the help I needed & within the first session I knew this place was motivated in the right ways. My needs & desires for service are being met in the ways I am requesting with each day being somewhat tailored to what I asked for, as well as expanding my thought process in ways I didn’t know would help. Greatly value the time I have spent with this group so far."
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“My biggest fear in being vulnerable is being judged afterwards. I was very nervous and had my doubts… Let’s just say it was the best decision I made that day. The process was super simple. Super easy and user friendly. I never was rushed. After just 15 minutes I felt like I was catching up with an old friend. She helped me tremendously in a short time. I was at my lowest and after the first appointment I felt like there was hope. Silver Birch has turned a lot of things around in my life in a short time. Highly recommended.”
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"...makes therapy feel warm and welcoming, even in a virtual setting. She’s great at creating a safe space where you can be open and honest, and she knows how to add in humor and lightness. She’s genuinely compassionate and a a true partner in navigating complex situations, making you feel feeling understood and cared for."
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"...Then I found Silver Birch… It's been a game changer...Silver Birch…was the perfect fit. I can't recommend them enough."
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"...has a calm and patient presence, and each session with her grounds me. I feel heard and like I can trust her with the most vulnerable parts of me and my life story. My initial therapy goal was to reduce my anxiety and to become more functional. That goal was met in a short period of time. She provides me with the tools I need to regulate and reinforce concepts between sessions. … has helped me regain control over my life and to understand myself."
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"We began with talk therapy, which was incredibly helpful and brought so much support to my life and overall well-being. Later, … suggested EMDR therapy to explore things more deeply, and it has been a powerful tool for healing past traumas. I feel truly heard and supported through Silver Birch."
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"Working with Silver Birch has truly been life-changing. … created a safe, welcoming space where I felt heard. Through our sessions, I’ve gained valuable tools to manage stress, improve my emotional well-being, and navigate challenges with confidence. What stands out most is their ability to listen without judgment and offer practical strategies that actually work."
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You Were Not Seen.
The house was quiet. Emotions were brushed off. Minimized. Met with silence.
No screaming.
No repair either.
Feelings were inconvenient. Low maintenance was praised. Needing less meant staying safer. So the system adapted.
Now a single comment replays for hours. Texts get drafted and deleted. After family gatherings, tears come in the bathroom with the familiar thought, “Why am I so dramatic?”
Responsibility feels automatic. Other people’s moods register instantly. Boundaries trigger guilt that sits heavy in the chest.
From the outside everything looks capable. Successful. Put together.
Inside there is tension. A subtle brace in the body. A background hum of vigilance even when nothing is technically wrong.
Nothing was “that bad.”
But the nervous system still learned to shrink.
Those patterns once protected you.
Now they are exhausting you.
Endless talking is not the goal.
The goal is for the body to finally stand down.
This Is Not Just Talking About Your Childhood.
This is structured, virtual EMDR therapy for adults navigating childhood emotional neglect and dysfunctional family systems.
EMDR helps your nervous system update outdated survival learning that still runs your reactions today.
We are not dissecting your parents for months.
We are identifying the core emotional memories that wired your body to brace, people please, or shut down.
Then we process them safely and help your brain respond differently in real time.
You begin to notice:
You do not freeze during conflict
You do not spiral after family phone calls
You do not feel shame for asking for support
You do not feel numb in relationships that should feel good
Sessions are focused. Intentional. Root level.
This is deep work. Clear work. Results focused work.
What Changes When The Nervous System Calms
✔ You answer a family text and your body does not spike.
✔ You say “no” and your chest does not tighten.
✔ You stop explaining yourself excessively.
✔ You stop feeling like a burden for having emotions.
✔ You sit in a quiet room and feel peaceful instead of restless.
✔ You enter relationships without scanning for the exit.
✔ You start to feel something new.
✔ Safety. In your own skin.
✔ Not dramatic. Not personality changing. But steady. Grounded. Clear.
Not perfect. Not fantasy. But steady. Connected. Calm.
Why Choose Silver Birch
We are fully licensed clinicians trained in EMDR and trauma informed modalities.
We specialize in attachment wounds, emotional neglect, and subtle developmental trauma.
We understand the difference between obvious trauma and the kind that leaves no bruises but shapes everything.
We do not minimize your experience.
We do not compare pain.
We do not pathologize coping strategies that once protected you.
We get to the root and we work with precision.
Midwest adults value privacy. Competence. Directness.
So do we.
Virtual sessions allow you to do this work from your own space while still going deep.
This is serious nervous system work handled professionally.
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Amy Vredenburgh, LMFT
Founder, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
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Nicolette Ulstrom, LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
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Maranda Jacobsen, LPCC
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
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Samantha Relining, LCSW, LICSW, LAC, LADC
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor
This Is For You If
➤ You grew up feeling unseen, emotionally unsupported, or overly responsible
➤ You struggle with guilt, people pleasing, or chronic self doubt
➤ You are high functioning but internally exhausted
➤ You feel “fine” but never fully at ease
➤ You want more than coping tools
➤ You are ready to invest in root level healing
This is not for those seeking quick motivation or surface level advice.
Investment
Virtual EMDR Therapy
Standard 60 minute sessions
Cash pay only.
We will discuss frequency and structure during your Free 15 Minute Consultation based on your goals and nervous system readiness.
This is not about indefinite therapy.
It is about targeted healing that creates real shifts.
Common Questions
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Yes. When structured carefully, virtual EMDR is highly effective and research supported.
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Emotional neglect often leaves invisible wounds that shape adult anxiety, guilt, and relationship patterns.
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Some clients notice meaningful shifts within weeks. Others require longer processing. We tailor pacing to your nervous system.
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That is normal. We walk you through the process before beginning.
You Do Not Have To Prove It Was “Bad Enough.”
If your body still reacts like you are small, invisible, or responsible for everything, that is reason enough.
You deserve to feel calm. Clear. Safe.
Book your Free 15 Minute Consultation and we will explore whether this is the right next step.