Trauma Recovery
Specializing In:
EMDR & IFS Trained
EMDR consultation for other professionals
Recovery From
Physical Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Bullying
Neglect
Other Disturbing Events
Trauma sometimes comes in the form of major events that are clearly traumatizing with a capital T, such as physical or sexual abuse, assault, exposure to war, loss of a child, and other personal catastrophes. Significant traumatization can also occur with disturbing events such as bullying, neglect, loss of a loved one, witnessing violence, hospitalization, accident, and events from childhood and adolescence that were personally upsetting. All of these traumas can have a lasting impact.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) involves identifying a target memory that was traumatic, as a focus for the work. The purpose is the resolution of current day difficulty and function related to the trauma. This target can be highly specific, such as an accident, or much more diffuse, such as a strong feeling of being unwanted from early childhood. The target can be an event that happened once, such as an accident, or can be abuse or trauma that was ongoing, with multiple targets identified that represent the most significant events. We then identify feelings, beliefs about the self, and sensory memories that are associated with the memory, along with precursors (earlier traumas) that may be involved. Careful preparation for the work involves developing skills in calming the nervous system and temporarily putting away traumatic memories so that EMDR is not significantly re-traumatizing. While strong feelings may be aroused from the work, EMDR does not typically involve a decrease in ability to function in day to day life, and ideally shows a significant decrease in traumatic symptoms.
When ready, the most active phase of EMDR involves bilateral stimulation (e.g. tapping of the knees or vibrating buzzers in the hands that alternate from side to side) paired with recall of the target memory. The earliest form of EMDR involved the eyes moving from side to side following the therapist’s moving fingers as a focus. Hence, the name Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. While this form of bilateral stimulation (BLS) is still an option, other forms of BLS are common. Once the target memory is brought to mind, EMDR involves a kind of sensory free association, while BLS is applied. The pairing of the BLS with the memory recall seems to help the part of the brain and body that stores the memory to communicate more easily with current-day reality and resolution. While replaying the traumatic material is sometimes involved, it is not essential. Sometimes there is significant resolution of traumatic symptoms with minimal replay of the events. Each client's experience is different.
The time frame for EMDR can vary from just a few sessions for a single, uncomplicated event to an average of 8-12 sessions for a mildly to moderately complicated event (some related earlier trauma) to long-term therapy for multiple, ongoing or complicated traumas.
EMDR is a powerful approach to working with and resolving trauma. However, some clients prefer to explore their trauma history using talk therapy exclusively, or some may need resolution of current stressors before EMDR is appropriate. It is not usually appropriate to use EMDR when the trauma is current and ongoing (e.g. physical abuse is happening in current life). Nancy will work with you to craft an approach that fits for you and your life.
Nancy also often integrates EMDR therapy with Internal Family Systems (IFS or "parts work"). IFS works with inner parts of the self, which we all have normally, which may carry the pain of emotional wounding or enact protective coping behaviors, and may need to be explored, understood, befriended, and sometimes unburdened. IFS is another powerful tool for trauma resolution on its own or in combination with EMDR.
Nancy offers EMDR individual and group consultation for other professionals who are trained in EMDR and are looking for ongoing professional training and growth