Transforming Intergenerational Trauma: EMDR therapy in Rebuilding a Mother-daughter Relationship

Syeda Rubab Hasnain

Abstract

Intergenerational trauma often manifests in relational dysfunction, where unresolved childhood adversity shapes present-day parenting and attachment patterns (Lehrner & Yehuda, 2018). This case study examines the application of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR; Shapiro, 2018) in addressing trauma-related barriers to maternal connection.

A 45-year-old woman sought therapy for persistent relational difficulties with her adolescent daughter. Clinical history revealed sexual abuse at age five, with the unresolved memory contributing to hypervigilance and intrusive fears regarding her daughter’s safety. These responses impaired her ability to establish secure maternal bonding. Pre-treatment assessment indicated Subjective Units of Distress (SUDs) at 9, Validity of Cognition (VOC) at 0, and significant somatic distress during the body scan.

Standard EMDR protocols were applied, targeting the early abuse memory. Following reprocessing, the client reported a profound shift, describing “a weight lifted after 40 years.” Post-treatment outcomes included SUDs reduction to 0, VOC increase to 7, and complete resolution of the distressing image. Somatic tension subsided, and the client demonstrated increased capacity for open, affectionate engagement with her daughter.

This case illustrates EMDR’s ability to resolve entrenched traumatic memory networks, producing measurable cognitive, emotional, and physiological change. Beyond symptom alleviation, the intervention facilitated meaningful improvements in maternal-child connection, underscoring EMDR’s potential to disrupt cycles of intergenerational trauma. Findings align with emerging evidence supporting EMDR as a mechanism for both trauma reduction and relational repair (Carletto et al., 2021; Wesselmann & Davidson, 2022).

Biography

Syeda Rubab Hasnain is a Registered Psychologist with over five years of experience in trauma-focused therapy, specializing in the treatment of PTSD, complex trauma, and relational difficulties. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from Preston University, Pakistan, along with Advanced Diplomas in Clinical Psychology and Counseling from PIMS. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Applied Psychology with a specialization in Behaviour Analysis at the University of Waikato, New Zealand, where her research focuses on trauma-informed care and applied behaviour analysis.

She has completed Level 1 and Level 2 EMDR training with Dr. Khadija Tahir, an accredited EMDR Europe and Asia trainer, and applies EMDR extensively in clinical practice. Rubab integrates evidence-based interventions with cultural sensitivity, with a strong interest in intergenerational trauma and its impact on family systems. She is committed to advancing EMDR practice through research, case studies, and professional dialogue.