By now, with the help of social media and how open people are about mental illness, we know that not everything is as it seems. Robin Williams and Owen Wilson are perfect examples of people hiding behind their humor and comedy when, in reality, they’re suffering greatly from depression. Until it comes to light in a big way, you never really know what someone has gone through — or is going through — until it’s either too late or they finally break down their walls. 

When you first meet Rebecca Kase, you notice her warm smile and easy laugh, though you might not guess she once wrestled with her own lingering trauma. Today, she stands as the owner of Trauma Therapist Institute, an EMDR and trauma training and consulting firm, and an accomplished clinical social worker, yoga instructor, and author of “Polyvagal Informed EMDR: A Neuro-Informed Approach to Healing.”

Yet, Rebecca’s road to success was shaped by profound personal challenges that she has learned to transform into courses of wisdom and strength — thanks to being open to her trauma and willingness to help others. 

Early shifts: From crisis to calling

After earning her Master’s degree in Social Work, Rebecca began her career working in demanding environments — community mental health centers, crisis shelters, and even nursing homes — and it wasn’t long before she discovered how widespread trauma is and how diverse its manifestations can be. Chronic stress, emotional wounds, a sense of isolation, and imposter syndrome haunt many people, no matter their age or background. 

Rebecca’s sense of mission evolved as she encountered people weighed down by pain similar to her own. Beneath her calm exterior, she managed the aftershocks of her own traumatic experiences, periods marked by anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. These memories would creep up, reminding her that her past was not as distant as she hoped. 

But instead of letting her struggles define her, Rebecca found purpose in guiding others to reclaim their lives. Over time, she discovered that EMDR therapy — short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — could offer a tangible way to address trauma at its core.

As someone who knew firsthand how paralyzing PTSD can be, Rebecca felt drawn to a therapy proven to help people break free from the chains of devastating memories. 

Discovering EMDR for trauma

Rebecca’s passion for EMDR was ignited when she saw how effective it could be for her clients, but it still took a leap of faith to apply the same approach to her own healing. With EMDR therapy, she began reframing the narrative of her past. 

Traumatic experiences that once left Rebecca feeling powerless were processed in a way that restored her sense of self. This was especially profound because EMDR for trauma works not only on the rational level but also in addressing emotional and somatic (body-centered) reactions. 

Encouraged by her success, Rebecca became determined to share EMDR’s incredible power with fellow clinicians. She set out to become an EMDR consultant and basic trainer, eventually founding her own company to educate professionals and provide them with the tools and strategies for effective trauma treatment. 

Over the years, Rebecca has developed a style of teaching and consulting that many describe as rigorous and refreshingly uplifting. 

The mind-body connections

In addition to her grounding in EMDR therapy, Rebecca is also a certified yoga instructor who believes in the mind-body connection and how yoga can help improve it. Throughout her clinical practice, she encourages people to reconnect with the sensations of their own bodies, recognizing that trauma often lodges itself in physical memory. 

For some, healing means stretching tight muscles while learning to release long-held emotional tension. Others find solace in quiet meditation or in building awareness of the breath. Rebecca’s holistic lens stems from her belief that trauma recovery involves the full spectrum of human experience — mind, body, and spirit. 

“You can’t fully heal emotionally without acknowledging the body’s role in storing and releasing pain,” she points out, highlighting how yoga, breathwork, and EMDR can lead to deeper self-discovery and transformation. 

Leading with compassion, curiosity, and community

Rebecca’s approach is rooted in her conviction that real healing unfolds in shame-free spaces, which is why she creates environments where people can explore their vulnerabilities without fear or judgment. This perspective extends to the clinicians she trains, fostering empathy, humility, and curiosity as essential components of any therapeutic relationship. 

It’s important to Rebecca to make heavier topics light and buoyant by gently reminding her trainees that humor can be a powerful ally in the healing process. This blend of authenticity and encouragement has earned her a reputation as someone who can hold space for others while offering the practical skills needed to navigate complex cases. 

More importantly, Rebabca emphasizes that lasting change requires community. “We heal in connection,” she says.

By creating a support network through her training, private practices, and online resources, Rebecca ensures that no one faces the complicated journey of recovery alone. Whether she does this personally, with trainees, or with past patients, she always finds ways for them to connect to others. She says the only reason she’s successful is “because I had a strong support system that always helped me know the difference between feeling isolated and hopeful.”

A beacon of transformation

Today, Rebecca Kase stands as a testament to resilience and transformation. She has built a thriving company, published pioneering work on polyvagal-informed therapy approaches, and continues to influence therapists and clients through her consultation and training. Her journey from grappling with PTSD to guiding others toward their own healing is a powerful reminder that trauma can be survived and even harnessed for positive growth. 

If there’s one takeaway from Rebecca’s story, it is that hope is real. Trauma might try to silence us, but with the right tools, compassion, and community, we can learn to speak our truth again. Her life’s work proves that, while trauma leaves scars, those very scars can become symbols of strength, understanding, and, ultimately, victory.