Ever felt the split between what you want and what your culture expects? We sit down with therapist Cristina Deneve of Empower U Bilingual EMDR Therapy to unpack how that inner tug-of-war can fuel anxiety, guilt, and relentless self-doubt—and how EMDR can help you finally feel the truth your mind already knows.
Cristina explains that EMDR therapy is not only an approach for treating trauma and complex trauma - it’s also effective for anxiety and depression. EMDR helps the brain reprocess difficult memories so they lose their emotional intensity, allowing you to develop more accurate and empowering beliefs about yourself. She shares her unexpected journey from engineering to psychotherapy, revealing what happens when a life that looks perfect on paper stops fitting. Together, we explore common myths about therapy, why seeking help isn’t a sign of being “broken,” and how a compassionate, nonjudgmental space makes it possible to rewrite stories shaped by transgenerational trauma and inherited expectations.
If you’re an adult child of immigrants navigating pressure to excel, fear of disappointing loved ones, or the weight of always being “the strong one,” this conversation offers a grounded path forward. We talk through practical ways EMDR helps release old patterns like perfectionism and people‑pleasing, why bilingual access matters for emotional nuance, and how freedom can look like setting boundaries, choosing aligned goals, and feeling at home in your own skin. Cristina also shares how clients find her practice and the simple routines—time outdoors, movement, community—that support a regulated nervous system.
Visit: https://empoweruemdr.com/
Press play to learn how EMDR can turn insight into embodied change and help you live a life that honors your roots without losing yourself. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show.
