Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)

 

Healing From the Get Go …

Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) is a trauma-informed, attachment-based therapy that helps individuals heal from complex trauma, attachment wounds, and emotional overwhelm. AEDP focuses on creating emotional safety, strengthening self-compassion, and supporting deep, lasting change through relationship and emotional experience.

This approach is especially helpful for people who feel stuck in old patterns, struggle with trust or emotional regulation, or want therapy that goes beyond coping skills to create meaningful internal transformation.

Woman standing at a lake at sunset after an AEDP counseling session in Colorado

What is AEDP?

AEDP is a form of experiential psychotherapy that emphasizes healing through emotional connection and present-moment experience. Rather than focusing only on symptoms or past events, AEDP helps clients access their natural capacity for resilience and growth by working with emotions in a safe, supportive therapeutic relationship.

AEDP is grounded in neuroscience, attachment theory, and trauma research, and is widely used to support people healing from developmental trauma, relational trauma, anxiety, depression, and chronic stress.

How AEDP Therapy Works

A safe and attuned therapeutic relationship

AEDP prioritizes building trust and emotional safety. As an AEDP therapist I bring a warm, responsive presence that helps clients feel understood and supported, an essential foundation for healing trauma and attachment wounds.

Experiential emotional processing

Rather than only talking about feelings, AEDP helps clients gently experience emotions in real time. This allows overwhelming, avoided, or numbed emotions to be processed with care and regulation, leading to greater emotional clarity and relief.

Trauma-informed pacing and respect for defenses

Protective coping strategies are honored as intelligent responses to past experiences. AEDP helps clients understand these patterns without judgment and supports the development of new, healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.

Lasting change through neuroplasticity

By creating repeated experiences of emotional safety and connection, AEDP supports the brain’s natural ability to change. Over time, clients often experience increased emotional resilience, self-trust, and inner stability.

How AEDP Helps with Complex Trauma and Attachment Wounds

AEDP is particularly effective for individuals healing from complex trauma, including those who experience:

  • Emotional overwhelm or emotional numbness

  • Difficulty trusting others or maintaining relationships

  • Chronic shame or self-criticism

  • Anxiety, depression, or trauma-related symptoms

  • Attachment and relational challenges

AEDP helps clients move beyond survival patterns toward greater emotional freedom, self-compassion, and authentic connection.

Woman in a floral dress running through afield of flowers toward trees due to reduced trauma from AEDP therapy in Colorado

Benefits of AEDP Therapy

Clients often experience:

Improved emotional regulation

Reduced trauma and anxiety symptoms

Increased self-compassion and self-confidence

Healthier relationships and boundaries

A deeper sense of emotional safety and vitality

AEDP is not about pushing through pain. It’s about creating the right conditions for healing to naturally unfold.

Is AEDP Therapy Right for You?

AEDP may be a good fit if you’re looking for:

  • Trauma-informed therapy for complex or developmental trauma

  • Attachment-based psychotherapy

  • A relational, emotionally focused therapy approach

  • Healing that goes beyond symptom management

If you’re ready to explore therapy that honors your pace, your story, and your capacity for growth, AEDP offers a deeply supportive and transformative path forward.