EMDR: Your brain becomes unable to communicate in times of trauma and emotional distress leading to the experiences becoming "stuck." In trauma, your body and brain continue to relive the physical and emotional experience when reminded.
EMDR therapy done through the process of recalling and processing traumatic memories while applying bilateral stimulation ( eye movements, audio, tapping, buzzing) to reducing their emotional impact, and developing a more adaptive response. The goal of EMDR is to help you move beyond your trauma and create a more positive future. For more information, please click here.
EMDR can also be used to treat chronic pain and help cope with adjusting to life with a chronic medical condition. Trauma and other psychological factors can contribute to the development and maintenance of chronic pain and stressors exacerbating your medical condition. This therapy works by addressing the underlying emotional and psychological factors that may be contributing to the pain, reducing the negative emotions and beliefs related to the pain and/or illness.
PolyVagal Model: Throughout treatment, you will learn how your nervous system has been shaped and wired throughout your life and how it affects your daily living. You will learn to identify how and why your system operates on overdrive and how to expand your awareness of how your emotional and physical states work together in survival. You will learn ways to help regulate and sooth your system.
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Throughout treatment, you will learn to identify maladaptive (negative) thoughts and behaviors that have become linked with the trauma(s). You might be prescribed homework such as writing exercises, mood tracking and behavioral tracking.
Disclaimer: Trauma therapy can make symptoms initially worse before they get better. It is important treatment is scheduled consistently and the client is aware of what to do in a crisis when therapist is unavailable.