Trauma and EMDR
Sometimes we have intense or disturbing experiences that we are unable to fully process at the time of the occurrence. Unprocessed events can become stuck in our memories and cause unwanted physical sensations, emotions, and beliefs from the past to arise in present day situations.
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My approach to working with trauma utilizes a somatic, parts-work, attachment lens. While a variety of trainings inform the way I work, Compassionate Inquiry is an approach that blends together somatic, parts-work, and mindfulness practices. Based on the work of Dr Gabor Maté, Compassionate Inquiry, is an approach to working with the living legacy of attachment trauma. Inherent to this approach is the premise that many humans experience attachment rupture or chaos to some extent, and trauma can be experienced individually, collectively, systemically, and across generations. True healing can happen when we feel safe enough to connect with the reality of our present moment self, no matter how painful.
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EMDR therapy is another powerful method for providing relief and insight.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a late-stage trauma resolution method developed in the late 1980s. Backed by extensive scientific research—more than any other non-pharmaceutical trauma treatment—EMDR is recognized as a highly effective and efficient approach to reprocessing traumatic experiences, supported by both empirical evidence and widespread clinical use.
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How does EMDR Work?
EMDR appears to support the processing and integration of traumatic memories, helping individuals develop a more adaptive perspective on past experiences. Research has shown that EMDR can reduce or even eliminate the need for more intense abreactive work—such as reliving trauma—often associated with traditional psychoanalytic approaches. It has been effectively used to treat a range of conditions, including PTSD, anxiety disorders, panic, dissociation, mood disorders, and other trauma-related symptoms.
Theoretically, EMDR promotes integration on multiple levels: between the brain’s hemispheres, across the triune brain (brainstem, limbic system, and cortex), and between mind and body. Practically, it helps the nervous system register that the traumatic event is over—allowing the past to stay in the past, rather than being repeatedly relived through intrusive thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations.
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EMDR can also be used for:
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self-defeating patterns, poor self-esteem
anger, rage
attachment anxiety and barriers to intimacy
addiction triggers
performance anxiety
public speaking presentations
test anxiety
compulsions and habit control
feeling unloveable
life transitions
learning healthy boundaries
guilt and shame
Trauma-Informed Care
Issues related to trauma can include:
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Excessive anger or anxiety
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Depression
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Sense of disconnection from self or others
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Addictions
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Hopelessness
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Unexplainable sadness
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Difficulty focusing
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Disrupted sleep
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Isolation
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Feeling disempowered
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Trauma is often very personal. It can take time to build trust. In your work with me, you can find a pace that works for you as we discover which therapeutic tools you like best. Even in the midst of the darkest stories, I also try to keep the door open to lightness and humor if this supports your process.
I approach trauma work with a very close attention to each person's unique experience of trauma and what they find most supportive. Some people do not resonate with the EMDR model of therapy. It is important to listen closely to what feels aligned with your needs.
People have different needs. Some people need a safe space to explore their story without judgment. Others benefit from attention to the relationship between mind and body.
At times, re-telling one’s painful story or being asked to move towards the emotional pain can be too triggering or is simply not effective in creating change.
For example, while mindfulness approaches can be extremely helpful to cope with the effects of individual and cultural trauma, mindfulness practices that ask individuals to simply stay with their experience can also be re-traumatizing or highly triggering. For more info, please see: Mindfulness Meditation and Trauma: Proceed With Caution
Other times, individuals may need to feel the grief, rage, and loss that can result from life challenges. Together, we explore these feelings in ways that allow for you to re-claim your innate wisdom, creativity, and sense of purpose.
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