DISCOVER RESOURCES FOR YOUR JOURNEY

    Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy, or EDMR, is a common and effective intervention used in therapy.  This method includes phases that occur over multiple sessions. It relies on a theory called the Adaptive Information Processing Model. This model was developed by Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., and recognizes that our brains store normal memories and traumatic memories differently. 

Normal memories are stored smoothly via networking channels of the brain. But traumatic memories disturb this networking process, prohibit effective healing, and act as a mental “open wound”. 

     This method uses body movement to access these traumatic memories and reprocess them in a way that can “repair” the mental injury and help individuals not relive these traumatic events over and over again. 

     The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a method used to alleviate emotional stress and physical pain through psychological acupressure. 

      Similar to physical acupuncture, this technique uses meridian points, or energy hotspots, on the body to restore energy balance and provide relief. While acupuncture uses needles to accomplish its goal, EFT uses a finger-tapping method to apply pressure.

   This tapping method has been shown to treat war veterans and those suffering from PTSD, along with other mental conditions. Within months, individuals have significantly reduced their stress by using this approach with their counselor and in their everyday lives.  

     Dr. Richard Shwartz, Ph.D. has researched the many ways in which we can strengthen the connection between our mind and body. He states; “IFS is a transformative tool that conceives every human being as a system of protective and wounded inner parts lead by a core Self. We believe the mind is naturally multiple and that is a good thing. Just like members of a family, inner parts are forced from their valuable states into extreme roles within us. Self is in everyone. It can’t be damaged. It knows how to heal.”

     This method recognizes the complex nature of our identity and our psyche and helps individuals nurture various parts of their identity at its core. IFS has allowed many individuals to work with the more vulnerable parts of their minds and provides profound opportunities to heal and grow

     Guided meditation is most often led by experienced practitioners who may use scripts, visualization techniques, imagery, or verbal guidance to engage the listener. These types of meditations support our ability to feel our emotions, be honest with ourselves, focus on the present moment, instill calmness, reduce negative emotions, and gain concentration and perspective (Hanh, 2009). Hypnotherapy is an adjunctive technique that utilizes hypnosis to aid in the treatment of specific symptoms or health conditions. 

     Hypnotherapy works by inducing a hypnotic state marked by waking awareness that allows people to experience detached external attention and to focus on inner experiences. It can help with suggestibility, relaxation, reduction of emotional distress or anxiety and depression, heal past wounds,  and getting complete with the past through confrontation with the parts of self in a relaxed conscious state.