Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR, PLLC

11/24/2025

Living with the weight of repeated trauma can feel like trying to carry a burden that never gets lighter. Unlike trauma from a single traumatic event, complex trauma often develops from ongoing experiences such as childhood abuse, neglect, or abusive relationships.

Over time, it can affect every part of life: your sense of self, your relationships, and your ability to feel safe in the world.

Complex trauma therapy offers a path forward. At Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR, PLLC, treatment is tailored for survivors of ongoing or developmental trauma, using evidence-based methods like EMDR, supported by Internal Family Systems and Ego State Therapy.

If you’ve been looking for healing from complex PTSD, visit our service page for details on our specialized approach available right here in Austin, TX.

https://www.neuronuancetherapyandemdr.com/complex-trauma-therapy-austin-tx-cptsd-treatment

🔹 Two in person locations in Austin, TX
🔹 Telehealth sessions across Texas
🔹 Free 15-minute consultation

11/22/2025

Today marks three years of Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR.

Over the last year alone, Neuro Nuance Therapy had the privilege of supporting more than 50 clients through 905 sessions of trauma-focused psychotherapy, each one a reminder of how much courage it takes to heal.

I wrote a reflection on what these last three years have taught me about trauma, EMDR, the nervous system, and the work of reclaiming healing the past, reclaiming the present, and building the future.

If you’d like to read it, here’s the full anniversary article:

https://www.neuronuancetherapyandemdr.com/blog/three-years-of-emdr-therapy-in-austin-tx-reflections-from-neuro-nuance-therapy-and-emdr

Thank you to everyone in Austin and across Texas who has trusted me with your story and healing. It’s an honor to do this work.

Join us in celebrating 3 years of serving the Austin, TX community with trauma-focused EMDR therapy.

11/21/2025

Why would an EMDR therapist talk about nutrition?

Because the impacts of trauma and PTSD affect the whole person on all levels including appetite, eating habits, the gut microbiome, and system wide inflammation.

Research shows that the impacts of PTSD can lead to:

🔹 loss of appetite and under eating
🔹 changes to metabolism that cause cravings for unhealthy processed foods and sugar
🔹 over eating as a means to numb emotions

Changes in eating habits combined with chronic stress can lead to:

🔸 gut dysbiosis (dysregulation of the balance between helpful and unhelpful bacteria)
🔸 increase in inflammation
🔸 increased mood and PTSD symptoms

What helps?

A recent study on 9/11 survivors with PTSD showed that the Mediterranean Diet reduced inflammation and PTSD scores on the PCL-5 without a psychological treatment intervention.

While this doesn’t prove diet alone is a sufficient treatment for PTSD, it does suggest that the impact of very practical dietary changes could go a long way to enhancing PTSD recovery.

That’s why Nutrition is Pillar One of the Six Pillars of Holistic Trauma Recovery.

Learn more in our article below 👇

https://www.neuronuancetherapyandemdr.com/nutrition-for-trauma-recovery

At Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR in Austin, TX, I believe trauma recovery should occur outside the therapy room just as much or more than during sessions. That’s why I empower clients with the most recent research on holistic steps they can take to actively enhance their healing process.

Whether it’s a referral for labs and a physical, a trauma informed dietitian, or assisting with the motivation and structure to change habits, whole person healing ensures that EMDR therapy has the best chance of success.

Alex Penrod, MS, LPC, LCDC
Founder | EMDR Therapist
Austin, TX

11/19/2025

Almost everyone has heard of it, but what is PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after an individual experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. It was first recognized as "shell shock" in war Veterans, but has since been recognized as a condition that can develop in anyone exposed to severe and life-threatening events. PTSD can have a profound impact on an individual's daily life, everyday activities, relationships, and overall functioning, impacting physical health and leading to other mental health problems.

PTSD Quick Facts

🔹 6–8% of adults experience PTSD at some point in their lives.

🔹 Women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD.

🔹 Prevalence rates are much higher than the general population for Veterans deployed in war zones, first responders, and survivors of abuse and assault.

🔹 44% of people who develop PTSD recover naturally within about three years; recovery without treatment becomes less likely over time.

🔹 EMDR therapy achieves remission in roughly 36–90% of cases across dozens of studies.

🔹 EMDR is recognized as a first-line treatment by the VA/DoD, WHO, and NICE clinical guidelines for the NHS.

🔹 Long-term follow-ups show durable results for EMDR at 6–12 months post-treatment.

At Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR in Austin, TX, we use EMDR therapy for the treatment of PTSD to help trauma survivors find relief and move from surviving to living again.

To learn more about PTSD and how it can be treated, visit our in-depth article below 👇

https://www.neuronuancetherapyandemdr.com/post-traumatic-stress-disorder

11/18/2025

PTSD doesn’t feel like a memory from the past, it’s like the past is happening again right now.

People who consult with me for PTSD treatment in Austin, TX often report hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, irritability, emotional flooding, feeling shutdown, sleep disruption, or feeling on edge without knowing why. These symptoms can make daily life feel like you’re constantly managing internal alarms even when there’s nothing particularly threatening happening.

Living this way is exhausting, especially when you’ve already tried to push through it or talk yourself out of it. Your nervous system is doing exactly what it adapted to do under pressure, but those adaptations can become unbearable after the threat is gone.

In my work at Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR, PLLC, I focus on helping clients understand and cope with these patterns while developing compassion for themselves. The goal isn’t to erase your history, though it’s often desired, it’s to update how your brain and body store and respond to it.

This is where EMDR therapy becomes a highly effective tool. As a PTSD treatment, EMDR helps reprocess the stuck memories that keep being triggered in present-day situations. It’s a structured, evidence-based approach that supports measurable change over time. Many clients experience remission of PTSD after treatment.

If you’re considering PTSD treatment and want an approach grounded in neuroscience, clear methodology, and real clinical outcomes, EMDR may be worth exploring. I offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you determine whether it fits your needs.

👉 Learn more about PTSD treatment in Austin, TX:
https://www.neuronuancetherapyandemdr.com/ptsd-treatment-in-austin-tx

11/15/2025

Is trauma recovery limited to weekly therapy sessions?

Thankfully no, it’s not. While trauma-focused psychotherapy (e.g., EMDR, CBT) has the strongest evidence supporting its effectiveness in treating PTSD, there are research backed lifestyle changes that can empower trauma survivors to take charge of their own recovery process.

At Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR, an Austin based trauma therapy practice, we call these research backed lifestyle practices the Six Pillars of Holistic Trauma Recovery:

🔹 Pillar 1: Nutrition – Emphasizes anti-inflammatory, gut-brain microbiome–supporting diets (e.g., Mediterranean-style whole foods) to reduce PTSD-related inflammation.

🔹 Pillar 2: Movement – Promotes regular physical activity to enhance hippocampal neurogenesis, BDNF production, neurotransmitters (like serotonin & dopamine), and autonomic flexibility.

🔹 Pillar 3: Sleep – Prioritizes restorative REM sleep and trauma-informed sleep hygiene to help consolidate fear extinction learning essential for trauma healing.

🔹 Pillar 4: Stress Management – Teaches techniques: deep breathing, mindfulness, grounding, to help expand the nervous system’s window of tolerance and foster resilience.

🔹 Pillar 5: Social Support – Highlights the healing power of safe, co-regulating relationships (therapist, peers, loved ones) to rewire trauma-patterned neural pathways.

🔹 Pillar 6: Toxin-Free Living – Encourages clearing toxic substances, environments, and relationships that reinforce trauma patterns, creating space for healing.

At Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR, we’ve seen that EMDR therapy works best when supported by a foundation that accelerates healing. That’s why we help clients understand the potential benefits these practical strategies can have and help simplify their application between sessions.

For more information, visit our page on the Six Pillars of Holistic Trauma Recovery 👇

https://www.neuronuancetherapyandemdr.com/how-to-heal-from-trauma-the-six-pillars-of-holistic-trauma-recovery

11/13/2025

Trauma isn’t just psychological, it changes how the nervous system functions.

For many trauma survivors, this shows up as:

🔸 Hyperarousal:

A heightened activation state of the autonomic nervous system where the body stays stuck in “fight-or-flight,” leading to symptoms like anxiety, irritability, hypervigilance, racing thoughts, and difficulty relaxing.

🔹 Hypoarousal:

A shut-down state of the nervous system where the body drops into “freeze,” marked by numbness, disconnection, low energy, brain fog, emotional flatness, or feeling immobilized.

Both of these states represent being pushed out of the window of the tolerance:

🪟 Window of Tolerance:

The optimal arousal zone where the nervous system feels safe and regulated enough for a person to think clearly, stay present, and process emotions without becoming overwhelmed. It’s the balanced middle ground between hyperarousal (fight-or-flight) and hypoarousal (freeze/shut-down), where therapeutic work and daily functioning happen most effectively.

Nervous system regulation encompasses long-term strategies to expand the window of tolerance and increase resilience:

🔹 Trauma-focused therapy like EMDR
🔹 Nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress reduction, and social support
🔹 Developing mindfulness and self-compassion

And short term coping skills:

🔹 Breathing
🔹 Grounding
🔹 Self-soothing
🔹 Muscle relaxation
🔹 Mildly activating activities

To learn more about the importance of nervous system regulation in trauma therapy, and practical strategies, check out our blog article on the topic below 👇

Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR provides trauma therapy in Austin, TX for a range of experiences and trauma related challenges. With in-person and telehealth options.

11/11/2025

Honoring all who served on Veterans Day. 🇺🇸

Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR would like to extend our gratitude and support for all who have served in our nation’s military forces.

It has been an honor to assist Veterans recovering from PTSD and making the adjustment into civilian life after service.

Today is about taking a moment to pause and reflect on the many sacrifices that make our freedom and way of life possible.

Alex Penrod, MS, LPC, LCDC
Founder | EMDR Therapist

11/10/2025

What led me to specializing in trauma therapy in Austin, TX?

Experience. Plain and simple. When I was getting my hours for my addiction counseling license I probably did 150 intake assessments with clients from all different backgrounds with different diagnoses. I screened for trauma.

I began to see an undeniable pattern. No matter what the current issues were the history often included some of the most difficult things a person can go through, often back to back stressors piling on top of each other until mental health symptoms emerged and substance use became less about getting high and more about not having to be present.

Even when mood or thought disorders were part of the picture, underneath was often a history of severe trauma that clearly wasn’t helping the situation.

As my work with clients deepened they began to speak less and less about symptoms and more about the pain of the past they couldn’t stand to sit with for more than a moment. And as they gained the courage and tolerance for going to those places within a safe relationship they started to make progress.

I wasn’t choosing the focus, the focus was emerging by creating the space for depth instead of hiding behind worksheets for triggers, anxiety or depression. (Not knocking coping skills).

I wanted to become fully equipped to offer evidence based trauma therapy as clients revealed their deepest wounds. The rest is history.

Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR was founded to provide deep, person centered, trauma focused psychotherapy in Austin, TX. EMDR is used as the primary method of processing memories with ego state therapy and IFS supporting stability and readiness.

It’s an honor to provide specialty care for those who’ve often struggled to find it in the shuffle of treatment as usual.

🔹 In-person and telehealth options.

🔹 Free 15-minute consultations.

🔹 Learn more at https://www.neuronuancetherapyandemdr.com/trauma-therapy-in-austin-tx

Alex Penrod, MS, LPC, LCDC
Founder | EMDR Therapist

11/08/2025

What actually happens in an EMDR session?

A lot of people in Austin search for EMDR therapy but still aren’t sure what to expect when they walk into the room. Our article on the topic answers some of the common questions by breaking down what really happens during an EMDR session, from the initial history-taking and preparation phases to the desensitization process where the brain finally starts releasing old patterns.

It’s not hypnosis or re-living the trauma, it’s a structured, neuroscience-based protocol that helps your brain digest and process what got stuck during traumatic experiences.

At Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR in Austin, TX, EMDR is at the core of how we treat trauma, PTSD, complex trauma, and dissociative responses. The process helps clients feel safer in their bodies, more comfortable processing their emotions, and less controlled by the past.

If you’ve been thinking about trying EMDR therapy, or you just want to understand what it looks like from the inside, you can read the full post here:

https://www.neuronuancetherapyandemdr.com/blog/what-to-expect-in-an-emdr-therapy-session-a-guide-for-clients

11/05/2025

Understanding the Neuroscience Behind EMDR Therapy: A Path to Healing

When trauma overwhelms the brain, it can leave experiences “stuck,” stored in a raw, sensory, and emotional form that keeps the body reacting as if the event is still happening.

In my article, Understanding the Neuroscience Behind EMDR Therapy: A Path to Healing, I explore how EMDR therapy works with the brain’s natural processing systems to unlock healing.

🧠 Key insights:

🔹 Trauma disrupts functioning and coherence between the amygdala (fear center), hippocampus (memory integration), and prefrontal cortex (regulation).

🔹 EMDR helps restore this balance through exposure and bilateral stimulation, allowing traumatic memories to be reprocessed and integrated.

🔹 Neuroscience research shows EMDR reduces overactive stress responses and promotes adaptive reconnection within neural networks.

🔹 EMDR is one of the most evidence-based treatments for trauma, recognized by the APA, VA/DoD, and WHO.

At Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR, PLLC, we combine trauma-focused, neuroscience-informed care with the holistic Six Pillars of Trauma Recovery framework, supporting healing across mind, body, and nervous system.

As an EMDRIA-trained clinician, I’m passionate about bridging science and compassion, helping clients transform survival patterns into pathways of growth.

Alex Penrod, MS, LPC, LCDC
Founder | EMDR Therapist

📖 Read the full article here:

👉 https://www.neuronuancetherapyandemdr.com/blog/understanding-the-neuroscience-behind-emdr-therapy-a-path-to-healing

📍 Offering EMDR therapy in Austin, TX and online across Texas.

💬 Schedule a free 15-minute consultation

11/03/2025

Healing Attachment Wounds with EMDR Therapy in Austin, TX.

As social creatures, our introduction to the world flows through the lens of attachment.

The architecture of our neurobiology is built from the signals of our closest relationships, shaping how we see ourselves, respond to our needs, and learn what to expect from others and the world.

When this foundation is inconsistent, ruptured, or injured by neglect or abuse, predictable patterns of attachment emerge:

✅ Anxious / Preoccupied: Able to attach but constantly fearing rejection or abandonment.

✅ Dismissive / Avoidant: Learned to rely only on themselves and avoid the risk of vulnerability.

✅ Fearful / Disorganized: Torn between wanting closeness and feeling danger when it appears.

Healing from attachment wounding is deeper than resolving a single traumatic event. It’s less about one painful memory and more about unmet needs, the voids left behind, the expectations written into the body, and the coping strategies that formed to protect us.

Attachment-Focused EMDR blends memory reprocessing with relational repair, allowing healing to occur both within and between. The therapist steps beyond neutrality to offer a corrective emotional experience as those early memories are activated, helping the nervous system learn that connection can be safe again.

Our relationships are often the most meaningful parts of our lives. Feeling secure, confident, and open within them can be truly life changing.

If you’d like to learn more about Attachment-Focused EMDR, visit our service page below 👇

👉 https://www.neuronuancetherapyandemdr.com/attachment-therapy-in-austin-texas

🧠 In-person sessions available in Austin, TX
💻 Telehealth available across Texas