INSIGHTS & INSPIRATIONS

WHAT IS EMDR THERAPY?

October 14, 2024

EMDR therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a therapeutic approach that leverages the body's natural ability to heal from trauma. This innovative method works by facilitating the reprocessing of distressing memories that are often stored in a fragmented state within the brain. During EMDR sessions, a trained therapist guides clients through a series of eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, which helps to activate the brain's information processing system.

The effectiveness of EMDR lies in its ability to help individuals confront and process traumatic experiences in a safe environment. By reprocessing these memories, clients can integrate them into their broader life narrative, reducing their emotional charge and allowing for healing. This process taps into the brain's natural mechanisms for processing information, similar to how we naturally process everyday experiences. As a result, many clients report significant improvements in their emotional well-being, including reduced symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. EMDR therapy not only promotes healing but also empowers individuals to reclaim their lives and move forward with renewed strength and resilience.

October 1, 2024

Trauma often brings to mind things like a bad car accident, a natural disaster, or abuse, and while those are definitely traumatic experiences, it can also show up in the form of absence. Think about it: a caregiver who doesn’t show love, a parent who’s missing from your childhood, or a parent struggling with depression. These experiences can leave deep emotional scars just like more traumas. What feels traumatic to one person might not hit the same way for someone else, and that’s totally okay. Our brains tend to label situations we can’t handle as dangerous or threatening, and if we don’t find a way to resolve those feelings, they can stick around as painful memories that affect our lives. But here’s the good news: we can work on healing those wounds together and create a brighter, more fulfilling future!

August 14, 2024

"Flipping your lid" is a relatable way to describe how our brains react to perceived threats, a concept that Dr. Daniel Siegel explains well with his Hand Model of the Brain. In this model, the thumb stands for the amygdala, our emotional alarm system that’s always on the lookout for danger. When we face a threat, the amygdala kicks into gear and takes over, effectively shutting down the fingers—representing the prefrontal cortex, which is in charge of our rational thinking. This reaction triggers the sympathetic nervous system, leading to that classic fight or flight response. While this is crucial for keeping us safe, it can also cloud our judgment. By understanding how this all works, we can better recognize when we’re "flipping our lid" and find ways to calm ourselves down, allowing our prefrontal cortex to come back online so we can respond more thoughtfully, even in stressful situations.